I SPY...

...with my little eye...

...that Autumn is in the air.

Dan and I took a drive up the canyon to Park City today while the kiddos were still in school, and the mountains were beautiful.

Vibrant color of reds, yellows, greens, and oranges, filled the mountain side.

(BTW Paps, Something you don't see in Oregon's Mountains.) ;)

The air was crisp.

The sky was blue.

I was there with the one I love.

(no, I am not talking about the outlet malls, but that is a close second.)No wonder Fall is my favorite time of the year.

an early morning date...

A 9:15 am date to be exact, but totally worth my early wake up call.

Today was the 5th grade doughnut date at the kid's school...and I had two little helpers who wanted to have Mackenzie read to them for her doughnut date.

With doughnuts, a book, and some sibling love...that was a fun way to start our day...even if I had to be ready super early.

(As you can tell, I am not an early raiser. I like, enjoy, and need my sleep.)

(I was able to sneak in a afternoon nap when C&C when to school.)

Girls night out

Happy Birthday Andrea and Eliza.

(Christina, Andrea, Eliza, Me, Jessica, Mindy, Jamielyn)

Thank You girls for being born so that WE could go out and celebrate with a girl's night out.

Nothing says a Girl's Night than shopping at the Gateway, dinner, and more importantly...FRIENDS!

12 years baby!

How do you celebrate 12 years of marriage bliss?

Well, Dan started the day with an early morning golf tournament...

and the rest of the day kinda was a bust.

Don't worry, I didn't let Dan live it down. ;)

So, when Dan finally got home, we went to dinner and Dan surprised me with tickets to the off Broadway hit Mary Poppins.

So, I guess what I am getting at is that, it can be 1 or 50 years, (or 12 years in our case)
life still happens and days will come and go, people are busy and things come up (even if it happens to be on your 12 year anniversary) ;)
the important thing is that you make your wife happy at least by the end of the day...and she will eventually forgive you.
All joking aside... I am truly lucky to be married to my best friend.
Here's to 12 years for awesomeness and bring on a lifetime of many more "making up" moments.
I {heart} you Dan!
FH2E

Allow me to introduce...

KAMRIE LYNN

Born July 29th 2011

Weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz.

and 20.5 inches long.

The proud mama and dad.

The proud Cousin #1


Proud cousin #2

Proud cousin #3 AND #4

AND I can't forget...

The Proud AUNTIE!!!

Welcome to the world little one!
We are excited to add you to our crazy, loud, wried, not perfect family...

BUT most importantly, we do love each other and would be there for each other for anything.

Kamrie, you are so little and haven't been here long, but our hearts are full of love for you already.

For Sale.

It must be pretty important for me to be up and out of bed at 6:30 AM on a Saturday morning...

We were up at the crack of dawn for this silly idea of a yard sale.
I now remember why I haven't done one in years and why I dislike them so much...

* the early mornings

* the de-junking

* the pricing of everything

* the anxiety of bartering

* the JUNK... I mean "Treasures"

It is just a lot of work for a couple of dollars.
The kids even set up a sucker/otterpop/drink stand and sold to people that would stop by the yard sale...They made $45.00 to take to California later this Summer.

They were pretty proud of themselves.

Over $600.00 later...

YES, YOU HEARD ME!!!

$600.00 is what I said.

I am serious.

I think that it was worth all of the hard work, de-junking, pricing, getting up early, sitting in the heat, bartering with people, (which I hate so much!) and one last trip to DI; it was a good yard sale, BUT I am NOT doing it again anytime soon.

PROMISE.

Cheers!

Raise your glass and shout...

School is OUT for the Summer!

So, to celebrate, the kids wanted Chick-fil-a.

Welcome Summer.

NO more Early Mornings.

NO more HOMEWORK.

No more SCHOOL.

Bring on the POOL.

Bring on the SMILES.

Bring on the FUN!

Class of 2011

Allow me to introduce my two favorite graduates of the Class of 2011...

Carson Twelves
and

Cassidee Mae

Hard to believe that these two are graduating from Preschool.
Where did the past 5 years go??!!?
They have grown up so fast and within this year of preschool, these two have learned so much.
When Mrs. Hunsaker was talking about each kid, when she came to Carson, Mrs. Hunsaker said that Carson was a smart kid. That Carson loves numbers and that he knows them very well. She even predicted that Carson will be an accountant. (like his daddy)
Now, when she got to Cassie, she shared that Cassie is very social and loved being with her friends. Also, that she likes to help out and take charge. Mrs. Hunsaker said that she wouldn't be surprised if one day, Cassie would be student body president.
These two loved Mrs. Hunsaker and LOVED everything preschool had to offer them.


Dan and I are so very proud of our two graduating students.

Congrats to the graduating class of The Young Patriots class of 2011.

Playing Hookie.

Can you blame the kids (and Pappy) for wanting to get out of school a bit early...

...to go play at the park...

...Since the Sun is FINALLY out and it is a beautiful Spring day.

So, I will let it go this one time, and let you kids play hookie from school for this afternoon.

With Smiles as big and bright as the Sunshine, I can tell that fun was had by all of them (including Pappy.)

Be TRUE to your SCHOOL.

You can tell that the school year is almost over; this past week, we have been to the girl's school to watch this and support that...

First on Thursday night, we got to go and watch Delanie and the entire 2nd grader classes show off to their family and friends, what the kids have learned this past year.

It was a concert of song and dance.

Carson and Cassie even could sing a few parts of the songs, due to Delanie "practicing" all the time around the house.

Pappy (who is here for a visit for work) was so impressed with the kids and just how smart they are PLUS, Paps was even more impressed that these kids will be our future one day and they will accomplish many great things in their lives.

On Friday afternoon, Mackenzie asked if I would help with the schools walk-a-ton during the school's "Stay Fit" week.

I was over the help with the yellow 4th graders and every time a "yellow" would run by, we would have to check off a square off their neck cards.

Time started and the kids were suppose to walk/run for a total of 45 minutes...Some kids looked as if they were going to die one lap around the school, but the kids kept on going.

Here is Kenzie with a couple of her classmates;

showing off the 10 checks that she earned in 45 minutes, which equals 2.5 miles.

Good Job Girls! Awesome Job!

Notice the girls rosy cheeks.

Thank goodness there was a mist of rain to help cool off the kids while they all worked hard.

I have to say, even though I have been busy with the kids and their school functions, but it has been good for me to be there and support the girls.

I have been impressed with the kid's school and the fun they are having with their school...activities, field trips, great teachers, good kids, ect.

Go Dragons!

I can't believe that with the coming of the end of this school year, I will have a 5th, 3rd, and two kindergartners.

CRAZY thought!

Who knows, maybe the PTA is in my future, what else will I do with all of my free time. ;)

PET PEEVE!

REALLY??!!?!

SO CLOSE...YET SO NOT.

Why oh Why, is it that I always seem to find this sight when I walk into the bathroom.

Is it really that hard for the kids to change the roll??!!?

AND to make it even better, putting the new roll on the old roll doesn't count, it almost makes it even worse.

It really don't take a rocket scientist to change a toilet paper roll...

or DOES IT??!?!!

NO two left feet here.

Miss Cassidee Mae.

She is ready to take the stage and dance the night away for all to watch.
This year the girls danced to the song The Sugar Shack.

All of the girls did a great job.

All of their hard work paid off and it was fun to watch them all dance.

Cassie really is our little entertainer; give her a stage, a song, and a crowd, Cassie is ready to perform her little heart out.

Let there be SUNSHINE>>>

<<FINALLY decided to come out for one weekend,

We say, row up your sleeves, put on your shorts and flip flops, AND grap your shovel.

>>>Time to work in the yard and get it looking good<<<

Tis' the season for some good old yard working.

***(You can tell that it is still early in the yard work season, hence the smiles still on the kids faces, give it a couple of weeks, and the smiles will turn into "Do we have too?")***

It's all about me...

AND my very own MOM...

(I love her so much! She really is one of my bestest friends! I am LUCKY to call her MY MOM!)

and all the other moms out there...

Happy Mother's Day!

This morning, I was "surprised" with the kiddos jumping into my bed with breakfast and a whole lota gifts confessing their love for me.
I got my perfume (Flowerbomb by Victor & Rolf) which smells sooooo good AND also my Clairisonic body brush, which I am excited to use.

(I am getting older you know, so this face can use any gadgets that I can get my hands on.)

One of my favorite parts of Mother's Day, besides Dan taking totally control of the kids, food, (which he BBQed and yummy twice baked patotos) and the house, is the hand-made gifts the kiddos make all by themselves.

I got darling magnets with Lanie's picture in it and Kenzie made me an awesome fabric flower pin. I have creative kids!

Also, another thing I LOVE about Mother's Day is that the kids try even harder to not fight and yell at each other for one whole day, and believe me, it is harder than you think for these four...BUT, I will take an entire day of love even if it is for ONE day.

These flowers greeted me as I came down the stairs as we were getting ready for church.

So, here is my Mother's Day 2011 picture...

(We had to take it indoors this year due to the crappy rain and wind that Utah has been getting this Spring.)

I Love these Kiddos so much!

I don't know who is more lucky; them having me as their mom. (I am a pretty cool mom if you ask me) OR me getting to have them as kids.

Thanks Kids (& Dan) for making this Mother's Day SUPER!

Give me S'more...please.

In honor of the evening nights finally being nice and clear,

(it's about time, we have had our fair share of Spring rainfall)

we thought that we would celebrate with S'mores and Friends.
Here's to the beginning of what the Spring/Summer nights have to offer us...nothing but a long evenings of fun, friends, and a lot more S'more making.

Bring it!

We are ready for some outdoor living.

Once Upon a time...

...there was a boy and a girl...

...and they were in love...
...so much in love, that they got engaged to be married...
(Here is a close up of the ring...gotta love the bling!)
The date was set...
...The announcements were sent out...

...and on that date of April 29th 2011, the crowds came and people watched this love story become a reality...

...Here comes the bride...

(looking beautiful I might add)

The ceremony took place.

I now pronounce you husband and wife.A wave to the people from the happy couple.
Another appearance from the two...

(happiness and bring truly in love radiates on their faces.)
A picture perfect kiss.

And with that, these two lived happily ever after.
♥I just love happy endings.♥

Here's to the next chapter of this fairy tale royal wedding...

Doesn't it make you believe that one day a normal girl could fall in love and marry the next future king.

This fairy tale just turned into a true love story.

♥Congrats Prince William and Kate Middleton♥

Not my favorite part...

Being a parent for the most part has its joys and rewards, but today was a day that I wouldn't sign up for if I had a choice.
Today, was not one of my favorite days in being a parent;

First, Dan and I had to visit...

Yeah, that's right...the Principal's office.

I guess there is a first time for everything...this being my very first time having to go to the "Principal's office" that is.

I didn't like the feeling at all; I felt uncomfortable being in there, like I was the one who was in trouble, but that wasn't the case. We weren't going in for a "visit" because our child being the "bad" kid.

(And with that being said, I better NOT have to go back there because of my kid.)
Who would have thought that being in the 2nd grade, you would have to worry about bullies.

I understand that kids can be kids and for the most part, things are said to push buttons, but when someone threatens my child to the point of tears each morning and the anxiety of going to school, that is where I draw the line...Hence this morning's meeting with the principal.

Momma bear mode kicks in and things will get fixed!

So, with our meeting, we shared our feelings, told the principal that this will be fixed, and with him aware of the problem, a firm handshake and a promise to us that he will take care of the situation.

Done.

I feel like I was heard.

I feel that a child should feel safe at school and be able to learn without the feelings of being threaten.

I feel like I was a real parent who wants what is best for their child.

I feel like kids are too young and innocent to be mean in the 2nd grade, the world is already a mean place, lets not start in the 2nd grade.

I feel that being a parent is this situation isn't a fun one, but it's so important.

AND if that morning was emotional enough...

Carson and Cassie had to go into the doctor's office for the dreaded Kindergarten Shots!!!

Going to the doctor's isn't something I enjoy myself, but as a parent, it is so not one of my favorite things!

Everything was going well with the normal checkup.

They both are the exact height: 42.8 inches tall.

(that puts Cassie in the 75% for her ages AND puts Carson in the 25%)

Their weight is 45 lbs. for Cassie and an even 40 lbs. for Carson.

(Cassie has 5 lbs. on her brother; she can thank my side of the family for that one.)

They are both healthy with great vision and a all around great checkup.

Now, for those dreaded words...

SHOTS!

They each would get 4 and a finger prick as well.

Carson was brave, with no tears.

Cassie on the other hand was our drama queen.

$380.00 later

(and that is with a 25% discount because we paid in full)

This day has been full of emotions.

I went home with a headache.

Like I said, being a parent has it's joys and rewards....BUT today was not one of my favorite days as a parent.

Yes, my kids are healthy.

Yes, the problem with the bully will be fixed.

AND

Yes, I am lucky to have such good kids and that is what I need to remember on days like today!

Here's to a better day tomorrow...

On this Spring Morning:

Our Ward got together for an Egg Hunt at the Park.

With Cinnamon Rolls, Decorating Easter bags, an Egg Hunt, and setting off 2-litter bottle Rockets, it made for a fun and festive Easter celebration.

It was a good turn out with lots of kids to play, but the one thing that didn't show up was the Sun, which made for a cold windy day; tho it didn't seem to slow down the kiddos.
US: April 2011
Here's to the start of the Easter Season...