Better Together

Bekah's Baptism Dress

2012-01-25T15:56:00.000-08:00

I finished sewing Bekah's baptism dress today. I was really worried that it wouldn't turn out how I wanted it so I put it off for a couple weeks.

Luckily, after a few little mishaps on my end, and a few more on the sewing machine's end...the dress is just what I envisioned...ruffly, girly, white and precious.

I snapped just a few pictures of her in it just to show it off, but I'm sure I will get more when it's not so cold and windy out. My girl was brave enough to just stay out for about 2 minutes before her teeth started chattering.

I can't believe this day is almost here...she is growing up to be such an amazing young lady, I ask myself everyday what I did to deserve such a princess.

Bekah's Bowling Birthday Party

2012-01-21T17:15:00.000-08:00

Bekah had her 8th birthday party at the bowling alley and had a lot of fun.

One of my favorite pictures from the day is not of the birthday girl though, but of this cute little backside. He took the game very seriously and thought it was about the most fun this little 3 year old had ever had.

Bekah had two of her best friends joined her for the afternoon, and they just happen to be twin sisters. Such cute girls, I'm glad she is able to have some good friends here.

Not to mention silly.

Speaking of kids having fun...this one took my turn because he just couldn't stand the thought of not rolling the ball down the ramp like his big brothers. He really didn't like waiting for his turn to come around either.

The happy little birthday girl with her (not homemade) cake. :)

I know I say it all the time, but WOW she really is growing up isn't she? She looks like such a big kid in this picture, not at all what I picture her in my head.

The mandatory blowing out the candles picture...

She got some really fun gifts too, like this Littlest Pet Shop set from Sydney. Bekah is obsessed with Littlest Pet Shops...I should take a picture of her collection someday...although it would probably have to be several pictures! She also got that fun bowling pin drink cup from the Bowling alley, she has been toting it around full of water ever since.

She got a whole bag full of fun loot from Brook, lotions, candy, pencils, hair things...

This was my favorite moment though.

We had gone to the Dollar store that morning to get plates and cups for the party and she saw this little bear that she really wanted. I told her no because she had too many stuffed animals and she didn't bring her own money. Well after that, Christopher went and took his own money and put the bear under his coat and ran up and paid for it without her knowing. It was really cute.

Then when she was opening and realized what it was she squealed "ooooh!" and threw her arms around him and hugged him for a long time.

I'm sure her friends were thinking, "wow, we got her way better presents and she didn't get that excited!"

I may have had a little tear in my eye at the moment though.

These two really are so close and are so thoughtful of one another, and these kind of moments make my heart melt.

Later that day Topher and I were talking and he told me that; "I loved giving her that bear, because she squeezed me so tight, and I just love her."

Ahhhh.

Best dollar ever spent.

The Tooth and nothing but the Tooth

2012-01-19T16:56:00.000-08:00

It starts.

One down, 19 to go.

My baby's sweet smile has a hole in it.

Baking Cookies

2012-01-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

Baking cookies with this little man is never dull. He is very "helpful" and must always wear an apron.

I can't believe how very big he is...but yet still so much my little boy.

Porter's Haircut

2012-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

If you noticed in the last post, boy number 2 was looking a little scruffy.
His long hair is the source of much happiness in my heart, but he was starting to scare people. :)
So he got it cut short, and he looks so cute still...but now I have a hard time telling him and Christopher apart when I am not looking at their faces!

Chad is the boy hair cutter extraordinaire in this house, so he gets the credit for the cute boys hair.

I am really smitten with this kid, no matter how naughty he is.

I mean look at those eyes...couldn't you just get lost in them?

Me too.

3 Boys in a Tub

2012-01-17T16:39:00.000-08:00

Rub a Dub Dub
3 Boys in a Tub
And who do you think they be?

Well isn't it obvious?
It's Oliver, Porter and Topher you see.
And never a happier three.

The Apple of Mom's Eye

2011-10-06T17:10:00.000-07:00

Can I just tell you how completely in love I am with this small wonder?

He is the cutest little stinker with the sweetest little face.

He has those sweet baby cheeks that I can't stop kissing.

And the determination of...I don't know what-but think of something really determined and he has that kind of determination.

Oh and those sweet little baby hands...even when they are all red from being out in the cold, melt my heart.

I really wonder if I could possibly love this little monster any more than I do.
At least right now.
He did just have a nap.
He is in a good mood and is not demanding my attention by screaming.
Just demanding it with his cuteness.
Much more effective by the way.
The squeaky wheel in this house does not get the grease...just time outs.
Ha ha.
That is so not the case and this kid knows it.
He yells and we jump.
Bad bad parenting 101.

Daily Something September 21, 2011: Wonder Woman

2011-09-21T23:02:00.000-07:00

Daily Something;
Today I felt like Wonder Woman. I'm not sure what got into me but I was able to get so much accomplished today.
I got the house all vacuumed, I organized closets, I took pictures of a project I did a couple days ago, I painted and put together a book shelf, I did my homework, I helped the kids with their homework, I organized Oliver's room, I cleaned the kitchen, I sold a bike, I made some Fall decorations and I sewed some pajamas for the kids.
On top of all of that I still fed the kids three meals, gave two of them baths, read stories, talked to my mom and sister on the phone, checked my email, looked at blogs and danced around with my kids.
I wasn't on speed or anything.
I wonder if someone spiked my chocolate milk at breakfast?

Daily Something September 20, 2011; Moves Like Jagger

2011-09-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

Daily Something;
Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 came on the radio today while the kids and I were running errands today and has been stuck in all of our heads. All day long one of us is singing the chorus. Even little Porter is swinging his hips singing "I got the mooooooooves."
Bekah came in after playing with some of the kids in the neighborhood tonight and she said they were playing a game where they acted like a famous person and then the others would try to guess who it was.
Bekah said she impersonated Mick Jagger. She held up a microphone and pretended to sing and dance and the clue was the letter J...strangely enough none of the kids in the neighborhood guessed Mick Jagger.
They were guessing people like Justin Beiber, Justin Timberlake or the Jonas Brothers. Bekah has no idea who those people are and couldn't believe they didn't know who Jagger was.
She is a little sheltered from the tween throbs of the day...but at least she knows good music when she hears it, and knows that a kid with a name like Beiber could only wish he had the moves like Jagger.

Daily Something September 19, 2011 The Tote

2011-09-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
We have been working on getting rid of things that don't matter and taking care of the things that do. That said, our garage is still very full of totes and boxes of 'stuff.' One such tote Chad has been toting around since before we were married. Full of miscellaneous things of his dads, from his childhood, from his mission, from who knows where else. A lot of it was sentimental and things we will want to either display or put away in a nice place...not in a tote in the garage. He finally went through it and got rid of all of the stuff that wasn't important any longer or that was just plain silly. I know it's not a big story, or maybe even something that is interesting. But to us, it's a pretty big deal. That tote has been following us around for 10 years and now it's empty. Everything in its right place. It feels good. Simplifying doesn't need to take years, it only took him maybe a half an hour to go through it. Yet it still took 10 years to get to it. Procrastinating is never worth it.

Daily Something September 18; The Princess Bride

2011-09-18T21:33:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
We bought the Princess Bride on DVD last night so that we could watch it with our kids tonight after church. I can't believe we didn't buy it sooner. We had it on video, but who watches those anymore? My kids absolutely loved it just like we knew they would.
Has there ever been a movie to ever touch the sheer genius of this one? Well we also like Stardust, but it's not as much of a family movie as this one is. The Princess Bride is simply the perfect movie except for the few cuss words and stinkin Fred Savage taking the Lord's name in vain of course. What's that all about?
I digress.
I love the Princess Bride.
Chad loves the Princess Bride.
And now my kids love the Prince Bride.
We also love popcorn with m&m's in it.

Daily Something September 17; Story Boards

2011-09-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
I am working on my children's book.
Actively working on it.
I have storyboards lined up on my bedroom wall, the writing is done...I think.
The illustrations, well at least I have an idea of the direction I want to go.
It's a lot of work, but I am excited.
My goal is to have it all done and sent to the publishers before November so that it will be ready for the holidays.
This is something that I have always wanted to do, and the idea for this book has been in my head almost the whole time we've been married.
Chad actually came up with the first line, and then I ran with it.
I have tweaked the text over and over throughout the years, and I think I am finally pleased with it.
Fingers crossed that I actually meet my deadline.
Yay!

Daily Something September 16: Pack Mule

2011-09-16T21:04:00.000-07:00

Daily Something;
I don't really have much to say about the pack mule that carries my children to bed each night.
Except that my kids are pretty darn lucky to have him.
He's the best dad in the world.
He's the best husband in the universe.
He is a hard worker, he has the prettiest eyes, he is giving, kind, charitable, sweet, funny, handsome, strong, genuine, happy, calm, patient, loving, helpful...
Oh, would you look at that.
Turns out there's a lot to say about this pack mule.

Daily Something September 15 Sink Baths

2011-09-15T21:09:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
Today Chad got his grades back from his first term on extern-4.0! He has comped on 11 scans out of the 23 necessary to graduate and is doing awesome! Just wanted to throw that in there.
My story is about how we gave Oliver a sink bath tonight after dinner. He was so messy we didn't dare bring him up the stairs. As Chad was manipulating his hair into rooster tails and mohawks, it occurred to me that this little guy will be one next week. His time of being thrown in the sink to take a bath is rapidly coming to an end. As my last baby this makes me sad. He is getting so big but still he enjoys these little moments so immensely. It makes me want to slow down and enjoy these little moments more too. Instead of just trying to get him clean so that we can move on to the next thing, I need to spend more time splashing in the water and smelling his sweet baby scent after he is out...because before long that scent turns into something not so sweet...as evidenced by my two older boys.

Daily Something September 14: Delicious Mistakes

2011-09-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
Sometimes the best things in life come when we mess up...an unplanned pregnancy for example...or in my case these cookie bars.
I wanted the whole family to get together and bake something delicious as a group. I thought it would be a fun and bonding experience.
It didn't work out that way and it ended up just being me and Porter trying to follow a simple cookie recipe from the web on my nook. The screen kept going dark and I would have to turn it on again, or Porter would change the page-so I had a hard time following the recipe, I added too much salt and had to take some out and then I totally messed up the peanut butter and added nearly 2 cups of peanut butter rather than 6 tablespoons. I thought for sure they had been ruined. I decided to make them into cookie bars since it was like brownie batter instead of a cookie dough. I had some left over and made some cookies too. They both turned out equally delicious. I am sure they are even better than the originals, because these are so darn scrumptious, there is no way that the other way could be better. Here is my new and improved recipe, (at least in my family's eyes and tummies).

White Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars.
(adapted from howsweeteats.com)
makes 1 large pan of cookie bars with enough left over for a dozen cookies...perfect to bring to a party and still have some left for you at home! :)

2 1/2 cups bread flour (I'm sure any all-purpose flour would do, but I had bread flour...and yum)
2 cups of Quaker old fashioned oats (or store brand whatever you have)
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 sticks of butter
1 1/2 cups of creamy peanut butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs + 2 egg yolks at room temp
4 tsp vanilla
2 cups white chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325. Spray a 9x13 glass pan with cooking spray. Put peanut butter and butter into a bowl and melt at 30 second intervals until all creamy and melted. Leave on counter to cool.

Meanwhile mix flour, oats, baking soda & salt in a bowl and set aside.

You don't want the peanut butter, butter mixture to be hot, but mine wasn't completely cooled either...I was working with a 3 year old here. So when I couldn't wait any longer I added the sugars and stirred until combined. Then I added the vanilla, egg and egg yolk and stirred that all in (no mixer required-these things are gooey). Then I just dumped in all the dry ingredients and mixed that in real good. Finally, stir in chocolate chips.

Put a thin layer (a little less than an inch) of the dough in the pan and spread evenly.
Cook for 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden.
Or you can scoop them with your cookie scoop and bake them as cookies for 10-12 minutes.

Delicious Mistake.

Daily Something September 13: Naughty

2011-09-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
I am upstairs helping Bekah and Christopher do their schoolwork. Oliver is taking his morning nap and the house is unusually quiet. Porter is nowhere to be heard. He went downstairs pouting about a half hour previous after I told him he couldn't have crayons anymore (he had colored on the TV the night before).
I sent Topher down to look for him and make sure he was alright. Topher came back a few minutes later saying he couldn't find him anywhere. Bekah and I jumped up to go look, and just as we got to the stairs, Porter came walking up.
I asked the mysteriously missing child where he had been and he replied "I don't know." I asked him what he meant. He said, "I can't remember where I was mom." Hmmmm. Either he got knocked out and developed amnesia...OR he was up to something naughty. I was leaning towards the latter. I couldn't get him to answer me though, so I went downstairs expecting the worst.
The kitchen was fine, no food out, nothing spilled. The bathrooms were clean, no water on the floors or counters. In fact everything seemed to be in order.
I really couldn't figure it out. What had he been doing, quietly I might add, for 30 minutes?
A little later I was in my room; and there on the side of the bed where no one could see, all of Bekah's hundreds of Littlest Pet Shop toys were spread all over the floor. Playing with toys in my room is a no no, playing with Bekah's toys without asking is a no no.
Porter looked as surprised as Bekah was to see all the toys there on the floor. He had no idea how they had gotten there.
Naughty.
Later tonight we are on our way home from Costco and he announces; "I don't want to listen to Jesus."
My husband who is much more calm in these kinds of situations luckily took the bait.
Chad; "Why not, don't you want to be good?"
Porter; "No."
Chad; "You want to be naughty? Because Jesus teaches us to be nice and good."
Porter; "Yeah, I just want to be naughty."
Chad; "Okay. But naughty boys don't get privileges. Naughty boys don't get treats, or toys. Naughty boys get punished and have to stay in their beds."
Porter thinks about this for a minute and then says, "Okay. I'll listen to Jesus then."
Naughty.
Just a few moments ago Porter comes in while I am writing this story and hands me a couple pieces of paper with some drawings on them and then walks out.
On his way up the stairs I hear it.
Twice.
I run up and see two fresh lines of pencil up the hall walls.
He heard me running.
The pencil gets thrown at me.
Naughty.

Daily Something September 12: Phone Call

2011-09-12T22:14:00.000-07:00

Daily Something
We are all outside; Chad is cleaning the garage and I am spray painting my latest furniture makeover. Bekah and Porter are coloring on the porch while still wearing their bike helmets. Christopher is begging for yet another treat while Oliver sits in his stroller eating treats of his own. It is hot. Extremely hot for a mid September afternoon, but we are enjoying this extra little bit of summer that mother nature is treating us to.
Chad's phone rings. He looks at the caller ID and his face lights up and he says, "Hey there!" before he even answers. The way his eyes sparkle and the grin that spreads across his face tells me it must be Publishers Clearing House or at the very least Santa Claus.
I was way off.
It's Ryeleigh.
Ryeleigh his 12 year old daughter, whom he has desperately tried to get a hold of for months. They keep missing one another's calls. He didn't have anything particular he needed to tell her. I think he just needed to hear her voice. He needed to hear that she missed him and loved him even a little bit as much as he misses and loves her. He needed to hear that she still needs her daddy.
He listened proudly as she listed off her present achievements, intently as she told her story of the most recent dog escapade and nervously when he asked if she would want to spend time with him over Thanksgiving week.
I don't think even Santa Claus could have given him a better present than her saying that she would love to.
That little blue eyed girl that had him so very tightly wound around his little finger when I met them 10 years ago...hasn't unwound that string one bit.

Back to School

2011-09-12T14:33:00.000-07:00

I am entering this photo to I heart Faces photography challenge this week for their Back to School theme. I had a hard time picking my favorite from all of the ones I took of the kids this year. Here are Christopher's, Bekah's and Porter's...and a few of Oliver for good measure. I think this picture of Topher is stinking cute, he's so silly and so excited to be old enough for school. He is doing great too! He loves math and is a pretty good little reader so far. Seriously love this little goof ball.

Turn Around Bright Eyes...

2011-08-30T21:43:00.000-07:00

My little Oliver is walking.

It's true.

It's sad.

It's cute.

But mostly it's hard to get him to look at me while I am trying to take a photo.
There we go, 1 second to see why mom is telling me no no for getting into the bookshelf...again. I do have other kids besides Oliver I promise. Someday I might let you know what they are up to too! :)

60 Seconds with the Oli Bug

2011-08-09T19:51:00.000-07:00

While sorting through some school stuff in the boys room today and doing a rotation of toys I was taking pictures for my other blog.

My little Oliver decided he wanted my camera.

The following 6 pictures are a result of the immediate 60 seconds after he saw me with the camera.

"Oooh I want that thing mom!"
"You say no to me all the time...it stops me in my tracks...but just for a minute.""I will have it now!"
"Seriously...look at me...how could you not just hand it over? Look into my eyes, I am completely and wholly adorable."
"Not going to give it to me huh? Oh well I give up!"
"Psyche!"

This kid is a fast little stinker, but my camera got out safe and sound...barely! :)

I smell TROUBLE

2011-07-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

She's getting older...and prettier...and sassier...

Gulp.

Because He's Totally Awesome...

2011-06-17T22:03:00.000-07:00

...He goes out in the morning with a giant astro pop while still wearing his jammies and can totally pull it off.

We don't like Big Buns

2011-06-12T14:54:00.000-07:00

One of the things both Bekah and I look forward to every year is the ballet recital mandatory dancers bun.

There are only smiles and laughs as I gently pull her long hair up into the little swirl and tenderly place pins holding it into place.

Or NOT.

Mostly just crying of big crocodile tears, wailing and gnashing of teeth, slapping and biting...maybe exaggerating a bit...but nonetheless...

Bekah HATES getting her hair pulled back into a bun, and I am not a fan of seeing my little girl cry.

So every year the last day of recital we cut her hair off, it's celebratory.

She has the summer with the hair off her neck, no chance of a ponytail or any other abomination pulling the little hairs at the back of her head.

Then come ballet in the fall, it's just starting to get long enough again to pull back, and by recital time it's full on ready for her favorite bun.

This years cut while especially short, frames her adorable little freckled nose face quite nicely. :)

Tiny Dancer

2011-06-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Last recital here in Klamath Falls!

I have to admit, I am a little bit...a lot a bit in love with having a little ballerina for a daughter. It's kind of a dream come true. Chad can have his little wrestlers, soccer players, football players, little sluggers, dirt bike enthusiasts whatever...I gave him plenty of boys to live vicariously through...just let me have my tiny dancer...

Welcome to the Crawl Ball

2011-05-16T19:33:00.000-07:00

Easter Best

2011-04-24T21:16:00.000-07:00

Is there anything sweeter...

2011-04-04T17:57:00.000-07:00

...than a baby sleeping on your shoulder?

I can't think of one.single.thing.

This little guy has us smitten.

Gaga.

Crazy in love.

We would do anything to make him smile.

He knows this, and demands attention at all hours of the day.

We give it, even when the dishes have been piling up for days, the garage is a mess, there are pictures to edit, a neglected family blog, exercise to do, laundry to be put away, and meals to prepare.

Sometimes we wish we could do those other things that need our attention, but getting smiles and slobbery kisses from him is just too big a temptation to pass up 99% of the time.

So yes, our house is messy, and there are things left undone.

But he is our last...and we are soaking it up.

Hi Dad!

2011-03-16T20:31:00.000-07:00

We are in Portland right now while dad is home studying for finals.
We miss you honey! Good luck on your test tomorrow! :)

(I was taking some maternity pics and while the mom to be was changing I threw my kids together for this pic. I just realized that this is the only picture I have of all 4 of my kids together! WHAT?!?! This must be remedied!)

He felt left out...

2011-02-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

Since my little Oli-bug was asleep in the car the other day and didn't get any pics up, he was a little sad...okay so that is a lie!

Oliver sad?

Only when his mom isn't holding him or isn't within reaching distance!

Look at this kid! He is a happy go lucky, adorable, fun to kiss on little monkey man and I just love him to absolute pieces!

Wouldn't you?

A Day with the Boys at the Ranch

2011-02-13T20:06:00.000-08:00

We went to feed the horses today, and while we were there I took Bekah's 7 year old pictures.

Well I couldn't leave my handsome guys out! Oliver was asleep in the car...
Love this little Valentine!
Those dimples on this little stink pot are his saving grace!
Only looking at me this time because I promised him candy...
Topher and his beautiful eyes...wow, takes my breath away. Every. Time.

Love these cute little pills.

Oliver-January in Review

2011-02-13T19:59:00.000-08:00

This little guy was stealing hearts and taking names this January...

Got to meet a lot of his cousins, aunts and uncles while in Utah at Grandma Mona's
Went to a his very first 'second Christmas' at Grandma Julie's
Started Grinning and Giggling on purpose
Gives sucking face kisses
Sleeps like an angel in his swing
No more colic!!!

Things he loves right now;

His mom
The rest of his family too...especially his big brother who is always by his side
Nursing
Dancing
Laughing
The shower

Things that make him just plain mad;

Putting him down
Trying to feed him anything but mama's milk
Getting out of the shower
Getting dressed
Being ignored

Porter-January in Review

2011-02-13T19:48:00.000-08:00

This little guy had a fun January, and gave his mom and dad some more gray hairs.

In Utah for New Years with Grandma Mona
Went to Portland for 'second Christmas' with Grandma Julie
Got a new fridge and play food for his kitchen
Got his first Build-a-Bear that he named 'Bear Bear'
Painted his mom and dads room and laundry with finger nail polish
Colored on every surface of the house.
Spilled many boxes of cereal and crackers
Spilled even more cups of juice, soda, milk and other like liquids.

His favorite things right now;

His baby brother
Playing Kitchen
Watching Diego and Dora, the Goofy Movie and Lilo & Stitch
Saying naughty things like; "Beat it Doofus!"
Making Messes
Torturing his older brother
Saying the word NO
Staying up late
Eating just about anything-as long as it's on his terms

Some things he's not a fan of right now;

Behaving
Eating at meal times
Not getting his way
Going to bed

Topher-January in Review

2011-02-13T19:42:00.000-08:00

Topher had a fun January:

In Utah at Grandma Mona's for New Years
A trip to Portland for a 'second Christmas' at Grandma Julie's
Got his alphabet crown in Pre-School (he knows all of his ABC's and the sounds they make)
Starting to read simple words

His favorite things right now are;

Playing his DS-Mario Party is his favorite
Playing the Wii
Staring at the TV, no matter what is on
Going to school
Eating Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches
Being crazy and loud
Talking back to his mom
Giving hugs and kisses

His least favorite things right now are;

Not being able to be attached to some sort of screen
Cleaning his room
Listening to his mom without having a 45 minute discussion of why he needs to listen to his mom
Being quiet

Bekah January in Review

2011-02-13T19:30:00.000-08:00

January was a great month for Bekah!

In Utah for New Years celebrations with Grandma Mona and family
Turned 7 on the 12th!
Got a big doll house and lots of fun presents
Had a great birthday party with all of her friends and lots of 'Tangled' stuff
Took a weekend trip to Portland to see Grandma Julie and got a whole 'second Christmas!'
Started Second Grade
Still doing great in Piano and really loving it
Still loving Ballet and Tap

There were sad times too...she had a hard time when her beloved Guinea Pig Emily escaped.

Her favorite things right now are;

Reading EVERYTHING! Her favorites right now are American Girls & the Roald Dahl books she got for Christmas
Playing Farm Frenzy on her DS
Playing Jumpstart and Webkinz on the computer
Eating Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Making cards for everyone
Playing the piano for family nights
Taking pictures

Things she does not like;

Watching Diego or Dora over and over again with her brothers
Writing long papers for school

Bekah Birthday Photo Shoot

2011-02-13T18:51:00.001-08:00

Over a month late...but hey she's still "this many" right?We went to feed the horses today and while we were there, I finally got off my keester and took a few photos of this little angel. So blessed to have her as my sweet daughter! :)

Book Review: Max Lucado One Hand, Two Hands

2011-01-30T15:29:00.000-08:00

One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado, Illustrated by Gaby Hansen.

I received this book from Book Sneeze. This is a children's book with a message. It follows this adorable little girl throughout her day in a charming rhyme about all the things that her hands do from petting her puppy to praying at night. It is appropriate for any age child, but I would say that ages 2-8 are probably going to like it best.

The illustrations are so sweet they make your teeth hurt! I could decorate my daughter’s room in them and probably would if my kids didn't love the story so much! My boys love the sing-song style of the story and the page that is talking about fingers and says; "Pick flowers, they smell sweet. Squish cheese, they smell stinky. Ooey. Pooey. Right down to your pinky."

The message is sweet and clear. It teaches kids that their hands can help, be kind and love. It teaches that the Lord can use their hands for many purposes.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a sweet and short bedtime story for their kids, or just a good book to snuggle up with your baby with. It is short enough that it doesn't get annoying reading it too many times in a row when your 2 year old asks you to again and again.

Sweet & Seven

2011-01-12T22:18:00.000-08:00

My eeny tiny little baby girl, my first born, that little bundle that I took home from the hospital with such awe and wonder, with no idea what to expect...

...well she turned 7 today-and whatever I expected, I never expected such a wonderful little daughter, angel and friend.

My friend gave me this amazing doll house because her kids got a new, bigger and better model for Christmas and I was so excited to see Bekah's face when she saw it in the middle of her room when she woke up. I was not disappointed! :)
I stuffed it to the brim with clothes, dolls, squinkies and other little odds and ends, so that when she went to look inside she was even more surprised. I plan on furnishing it little by little with some cute wooden furniture, but for now all the kids are having a ball with it, with all the little toys they have.

We have more birthday celebrating to do this week-for today we just played and ate junk food all day. Her kind of day! :)

Early Christmas Present Opening

2010-12-22T21:15:00.000-08:00

We opened our Christmas presents a few days early since we are leaving to Utah early on Friday and we wanted a chance to let the kids play with their toys before we left. Santa is going to fill their stockings in Utah, so this is just half of the loot! :)

Bekah's Ballet & Tap Showcase 2010

2010-12-22T20:16:00.000-08:00

Mostly for Grandma purposes-here is our little Bekah showing off her ballet and tap skills...

Ballet Positions & Poses

Shaking Down the Sugar-Tap Routine

Boots-Tap Routine

Bekah Piano Recital 2010

2010-12-14T19:23:00.000-08:00

I am so proud of this little girl!

She practices all the time, and she has only been playing for a couple months.

She was a little too short for the bench-so dang cute!

Happy Holidays!

2010-12-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

Oliver says Merry Christmas, couldn't you just kiss on that face all day?

Me too!

Fox Family Reunion

2010-11-26T19:41:00.000-08:00

This last week my whole family came into town to stay at the Running Y Ranch to have an early Thanksgiving and a little family reunion. Trae and Tabitha (who is pregnant, YIPPEE!) drove to Portland and picked up my brother and mother and came in to town (10 hour drive) Then Toshya, Craig, their daughter Mckayla and Zachary drove in from Utah (12 hour drive). We had the very painful drive of about 20 minutes to get to the Ranch. :)

Here are just a few pics from the fun long weekend...

Bekah and Mckayla-lots of fun to have a cousin to play with!
Went out to Crater Lake and froze our buns off in 19 degree weather...well those of us who got out of the car. I may be the only sane one in my family, staying in the car with the buns warmer on full blast!
Can you tell Chad is cold and that Zachary is a giant man child? When did that happen? I cannot believe how much bigger he is than Chad...unbelievable!
My sweet angel boys sleeping-100% brothers through and through. I think it is hysterical that they are both sleeping the exact same way, but opposite of each other-this is about the only time that they are not competing in some way.
It was such a fun trip and I am so glad that they were all able to come out and have such a fun time-thanks mom for the very many awesome memories!

Oliver's Blessing

2010-11-26T19:37:00.003-08:00

We blessed Oliver on Saturday the 20th of November up at Running Y Ranch with my whole family around and a few of our very closest friends. Chad gave him a beautiful blessing, though Oliver screamed through the last half of it...he's such a momma's boy...Oliver, not Chad. :)Oliver Smith Hewlett we love you baby!

Oliver

2010-11-26T19:37:00.001-08:00

Oli Wolli Doodle

2010-11-16T19:02:00.000-08:00

Still enjoying this kissable little face!He is super smiley and fun...
...and just so...be still my heart...he's mine.
Pure bliss.

Sly

2010-11-16T18:58:00.000-08:00

Don't let this cute little face fool you......four seconds after this, me and his one month old brother were spitting out sand.

Spankings and tears followed after his sly grin and giggles as he ran away.

Yes, this warranted a spanking.

Such a little poop.

Good thing he is cute.

More Oliver

2010-10-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

We are so enjoying our new little Olly bean. He is so sweet and kissable.

Porter would be permanently attached if he could. He is super frustrated that he doesn't have the "equipment" to feed him...he's pretty sure mom is just being selfish to be holding him all the time.

(Maybe I am..how could I not be?)

Here are a few pics from the hospital and a few of the kids giving him some love.

2010-09-24T22:27:00.000-07:00

Baby Oliver is here!!! This post is a day late....SORRY....
Oliver Smith Hewlett was born September 23, 2010 at 4:54 pm at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He weighed 8 lbs 11.5 oz and was 21 1/4" long. About 4-5 hours after he was born he had trouble breathing and was given medication, an iv, and a tube down his throat to retrieve air out of his stomach. He received an X-ray Thurs night and it was thought the port between the ventricles of his heart had not closed yet, the X-ray Fri. morning showed perhaps the start of pneumonia. The Dr. thought he just had extra fluid in his lungs from the amniotic fluid. It turns out that the fluid was the correct diagnosis, however the Dr. treated him with anti-biotics to be safe. Oliver will be able to come home Sunday morning and is doing well. He still has an IV, but this is just precautionary and he and his mother are doing great. Enjoy the Pics...

Hacked by Chad

Large and in (pain) Charge

2010-08-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

I know I need to update this blog more of what is going on in my family-but I am tired. The end.

I went to the doctor today and I am supposed to be a little less than 33 weeks along.

I am measuring past 35.

I have had 2 ultrasounds that put me actually a week under my due date-so technically I should only be less than 32, but they decided to keep my original due date.

I will have another ultrasound next week to see if this baby is part giant, or if I just have lots of extra fluid in there.

Nothing about this pregnancy has been like the others though...so...

I had my glucose test yesterday...a little late since we've been so busy, and so has my doctor.

Turns out my levels are quite high.

Never has happened before-now I have to do a 3 hour test, after a 12 hour fast in two weeks...if I make it that long.

Hopefully I don't have gestational diabetes.

I guess I better lay off the m&m's and ice cream.

This baby is a mover and a kicker...all the time.

Good for him, he is very healthy.

Bad for me, my ribs are very messed up.

I have not had an even minuscule amount of good sleep in weeks due to aches, pains and....contractions.

Not little, oh am I having a contraction? Braxton hicks type contraction-NO!

More like holy free holies, my uterus is a brick and I can't walk, talk or breathe normally for more than a minute.

The wake you up in the middle of the night, slap you in the face, am I dying? Kind of contractions.

Still, I know I am not in labor-but I don't think it will be long off, and neither does my doctor.

Also I am nesting.

To the point that I can see people thinking I'm insane, but I can't stop myself.

I am on a liquidation mission at my house, everything must go.

All closets, furniture and rooms must be rearranged, organized and pretty much alphabetized.

It is so bad that I even emptied a church closet on Sunday and stayed after purging and organizing it to a state of perfection.

Everyone just stood back and looked at me with scared expressions on their faces.

I am finishing every craft project I have put on the back burner, because for some reason I feel like they need to be finished immediately.

I am pretty sure I have lost it entirely.

Oh and I'm angry.

Like Incredible Hulk angry.

I will snap at anyone and anything, so watch out.

I can hear myself yelling at my children, I can see their scared faces wondering if I am actually going to turn green...and yet I can't stop myself.

I have never felt this out of control in any of my other pregnancies or in any other time of my life.

I am completely insane.

I need this baby to wait until at least the first of September...

August has camping trips, lots of school work and lots of cleaning still needs to be done before I can start even thinking about giving birth.

He will wait at least that long right?

Tell me I'm right....

...Or I'll get angry.

You won't like me when I'm angry.

30 Weeks

2010-07-22T15:23:00.003-07:00

Just took some pictures of me at 30 weeks today.

Everyone is pretty sure I won't be making it another full 10 weeks (I am hoping for 8), because according to to public opinion I am ginormous! :)

If you want to see a few more, you can go here.

Porter Age 2

2010-07-22T15:23:00.001-07:00

I have Porters 2 year old pictures up on the photog blog. I can't believe this little stink is 2!

Took him to the doctor this week, and he was 51% for weight, 85% for height and 91% for his head.

Tall, thin and a big old noggin...

No problems with that! But because of his height and weight being very close to his 4 year old brothers...we get asked a lot if they are twins.

Poor little Toph.

Trying to Catch the Moon

2010-07-22T13:12:00.000-07:00

The other night while we were all outside enjoying the night air Bekah pointed out the moon to Porter.

He got very excited about it, ran into the garage and came out with one of our large butterfly nets.

He would point at the moon and say, "Catch it!"
Then when no one else was able because we were laughing...and well because I'm pretty sure you can't catch the moon with a butterfly net...

Porter would reach with that net and say, "Catch it, Moon!"
It was pretty much the cutest thing I had ever seen, he kept it up for a good 20 minutes, trying himself and then trying to get others to help him.

Well it's at least as cute as that little boy bum in tiny little boy underwear. :)

Sweets from my Sweets

2010-07-22T12:19:00.000-07:00

I made the kids a little Sweet Shoppe this last weekend, so they could sell some candy and lemonade on these hot days.

Wouldn't you buy something from these little sweeties? Tutorial on how to make this is here.

80's Photo Booth Party Slide Show

2010-06-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Rub-a-Dub-Dub 2 Boys in the Tub...Again

2010-06-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

I honestly believe that I may have the cleanest boys on the entire planet. Sure they may get messy in the middle of the day from various foods, chalks, markers, paints, mud puddles, grass stains, runny noses and the likes-but they would take 6 baths a day if I let them. Especially if those baths include bubbles.

We just have to say the word tub, and Porter is running down the hall, leaving a trail of clothes behind him. They get along most of the time they are in there too, so its a bonus for me since they are usually trying to drive one another mad.

They just stay in the tub until all the bubbles dissolve, and the entire bathroom looks as though a tidal wave hit it. There is honestly more water on the floor than in the tub when they are finished. Then we have two little streakers running down the hall not wanting to get dressed.

Ahh the joy of boys-and lucky us there will be a third little boy in the tub soon to round out the bunch.

Flashback to my Childhood

2010-06-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

I was born in the 80's, and I dressed in all the neon, the tied t-shirts, the leggings, the doubled socks and of course the bedazzled levi jackets.

My friends had an 80's party the other night for their husbands and we all dressed up. I'll post more pics soon-but I had to share this one of Bekah; because she is the spitten image of a little mini me about 23 years ago. Side pony and all.

Scary isn't it?

And the Verdict is In...or Out?

2010-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Out! This is most definitely a BOY! Little Harrison will join our family in September and we are all very excited to meet this wiggly little baby who will complete our family. :)

Cuteness Monsters

2010-04-30T15:57:00.000-07:00

I made Bekah some new cutesy overalls, and we shaved Porters cute little head. The other little cuteness monster was still in the house, doing monstery things.

Pretty Girl

2010-04-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

She is growing up. I can totally see her as a teenager in this picture. WHY!?!?!

B & W Kiddo's

2010-04-20T10:06:00.001-07:00

I was taking some pictures for a friend of mine at my house the other day. She wanted an old fashioned sepia toned picture of her son that is Porters age with an antique tricycle. She has a similar picture of all of her kids from picture studios.

Anyway, before she got there, I was setting up a little impromptu "studio" in our school room and I wanted to test the size with the bike to make sure I had enough backdrop.

Porter gladly sat there for a picture on his own bike that he rides around the house.

I just had to share this one, there are better ones where I got him giggling.

But THIS face, this is the one he gives me every time I pull out the camera, like he is being painted for a portrait or something. He tilts his head, looks right at me and gives me this face. It kills me!

Then of course the other kids wanted in on the picture taking. Could this boys eyes be any more goo inducing? Seriously he stops my heart with those things, and his big old grin doesn't help!
Bekah is forever wanting to pose with props, and obviously this is morning before her hair was done, but you can see her big old toothless smile. She is getting so grown up!
I need to be better about taking more pictures of my kids-the weather has been so yucky and cold though, so we have pretty much been shut-ins. I can't wait for spring to ACTUALLY get here for more than a day at a time!

Gigi's Hugest Announcement Review

2010-04-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

I recently joined a book review site "Book Sneeze" and the first thing I reviewed was this DVD called Gigi, God's Little Princess-"Gigi's hugest announcement".Obviously movie this thrilled my 6 year old girl, and even my boys sat through it without any argument. It is very girly and pink and full of tea parties, ballerinas and everything feminine. Gigi is sweet, and loves her best friend and wants her to know all that she knows. She knows she's a princess, because she is a child of God, but she is not a bratty princess at all, which is a point I really like. She loves her friends and her cat and lives a lot in her imagination.

Gigi has big ideas, and they do not ever go according to her plans, but at the end of the day she knows that God loves her no matter how many mistakes she makes or how clutzy she is. The animation is not fantastic, but it is watchable. The stories are based on the books by Sheila Walsh, and my daughter now wants the books too. There are two stories included on the DVD and they both have a great meaning and sweetness to them.

I would recommend this movie to my friends for their little girls, it teaches them good lessons while making it fun.

I was given this DVD to review, all opinions expressed are my own.

Bob Buttons & Two Cute Kids

2010-04-09T14:36:00.001-07:00

Here is my new little friend Bob Buttons, you can read all about her here. I LOVE her! My kids are pretty fond of her too.
Bekah lost her 2 toppers, and has a sweet lisp. She is getting way too grown up for my liking!
This sweet boy is a momma's boy and is always bringing me little treasures, like this dandelion today while we were outside enjoying the sun for a bit while Porter was napping.
It's still not warm, but it is sunny, so we went out until our fingers were changing to a nice purple. When oh when is spring going to be here?

Emalii

2010-04-06T15:10:00.000-07:00

I never did post a picture of Bekah's very hairy guinea pig Emalii-so I'm doing it now. Bekah loves this little fur ball. The little pig is quite squeaky, but other than that very forgiving with the kids and their need to carry her around and pet her 24-7. She even lets Porter hold her without freaking out too much. I don't think she's all that cute, but she is the easiest pet I've ever had to take care of-even more so than fish-and the kids get something they can actually play with. So I would recommend one if you are wondering what kind of pet to get your kid-and don't want to commit to a dog or a cat. Although I just got a pet myself that I will post pictures of in the next day or two, and she is way cuter than the guinea, and just as easy, in fact they share a cage....

Bekah is on a roll

2010-03-22T18:30:00.000-07:00

This girl is cracking me up left and right lately!

We had Zachary and Ryeleigh with us this weekend while we were staying in Utah. Well we needed to get them home because they were getting family pictures taken that day.

Chad and the kids were playing a game of Rummikub while I was getting my kids ready to go.
I told him that he needed to hurry up, or their mom was going to have a cow, and then I left to go get shoes and socks on my kids.

Came back a couple minutes later and Bekah had joined them, I said, "Seriously, if we don't get out of here, their mom is going to birth a baby cow, right there on the porch."

So they gathered up their stuff, ended the game and we left.

We get to their house and they are saying goodbye to everyone, and Bekah says;
"Have fun with your baby cow!"

Seriously had tears rolling down my cheeks.

Little Mother

2010-03-16T16:50:00.000-07:00

Another overheard moment this week...
I tucked the kids into bed and told them to say their prayers, Christopher started praying after I closed the door to go get ready for bed myself.
Now you have to know that Tophers prayers are usually about 30 seconds long on a good night, so I was super surprised to come back a few minutes later to listen at the door to hear him still praying, and just finishing up.
The second he says Amen, I hear Bekah say;

"Christopher Michael! We do NOT pray for stuff like that!"

I still have no idea what he was praying for, probably either to be able to play on the DS all day the next day, or for Bekah to be nice to him and let him have all her treats or something.

It made me giggle though that she is such a little mother.

Overheard...

2010-03-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

Bekah and Topher are upstairs "cleaning" (yeah right), and I hear this little tidbit;

Topher: "I love Santa Claus."

Bekah: "Of course you do, that's because Santa and Jesus are brothers."

Love kid logic.

Topher's New Wheels

2010-03-08T21:11:00.003-08:00

It was a no brainer what to get for Topher for his birthday since he's been riding around on a butterfly dreams bike.

He's pretty happy with his new wheels.
Now he just needs to learn to ride it! My kids have had the unfortunate lot to not have a place to ride bikes at any place we have lived in over the past 4 years. We have a great yard, but no sidewalk, or concrete driveway-just dirt and gravel. I need to make it a priority to take the kids and their bikes places this summer.

Topher

2010-03-08T21:11:00.001-08:00

Topher wakes up to being 4

2010-03-08T21:08:00.000-08:00

Going with tradition-I decorated Topher's room (actually it was Bekah's room, we can't get him to sleep in his own room, when Bekah is so cozy to cuddle with) for his birthday. He was super excited to wake up to the balloons and the day all about him.

Topher's Birthday Party

2010-03-08T21:03:00.000-08:00

Oh wait this isn't Topher!

But it is a cute boy who attended his party...Oh there's Topher!

He is holding one of his cute presents that my most talented friend made for him.
Here he is with his friend getting ready to blow out his candle, he loves all the attention.
For his birthday party we went to a local pizza place with a few of his buddies and let them play on all the toys and arcade games for an hour or so. They had a blast, and once again-no clean up before or after for me-why again do I do the big parties usually? :)

Why Hello little Gummy Bear!

2010-03-08T14:39:00.000-08:00

Today we had our first look at our little bean!

This puts our due date at October 5th.

Normal pregnancy due date calculators put me a week earlier, but I don't do the typical 40 week pregnancies.

Bekah was calculated at 44 weeks, and came 4 days later than that. (weighing in at 8lbs 8oz)

Christopher was calculated at 43.5 weeks and came 5 days later than that. (weighing in at 9lbs 5oz)

Porter was calculated at 43 weeks and came 5 weeks and 2 days earlier than that. (weighing in at 6lbs almost on the dot)

This baby is calculated to be warm and cozy for 41 weeks-so hey they're getting closer!

Here is our little gummy bear!

Everything looks great, the little heart beat is adorable and we saw the little arm wiggling and waving. I've never had an ultrasound this early, it was fun, and comforting to be able to see the sweet little thing, and hear the heartbeat this early! :)

3 eyed silly willy's

2010-02-17T21:54:00.001-08:00

These sillies thought they were totally hysterical wearing these the other night.

So did I.

...And no I didn't buy the Sponge Bob jammies...they were a hand-me-down from a good friend, they were seen before I had the chance to throw them out...and my boys love them and always want to wear them...even though I NEVER let them watch the show. Most people who know me, know that I think this show is the most wasteful thing ever put on television, and all of his merchandise drives me bonkers. It's my boys' own personal rebellion against me...it's like they know...

Bekah's Belated Birthday Post

2010-02-08T22:54:00.000-08:00

So I am a slacker mom and never posted anything about Bekah's 6th birthday. I usually make such a BIG deal about them that this year just seemed so under-done that I didn't take a ton of pictures-thus the lack of blogging about them!

Her actual birthday was on a day that Chad had to work late so we spent the whole day without him :(.

We did the cake and everything with just us and no daddy-a little depressing, but she still managed to smile when the cake was brought out! (Lazy mom didn't make it this year after home-made Christmas, mom needed a break).
For her party, I totally left my camera at home! WOW! She had a party at an Italian restaurant in town. The girls all made pizza's and ate cake and opened presents and had an absolute blast. I always do such big to-do's and this was so easy and everything was taken care of for me that I wonder why I bother. Bekah was just as happy, the girls all had so much fun, and I got to sit and talk with my friends while someone else dealt with the drama and most of all the mess!
All Bekah wanted for her birthday was a dog. Unfortunately (for her...me, not so much) we are renting in a house that does not allow dogs. So we did the best we could and surprised her with a guinea pig! Bekah named her Emalee and loves her to pieces. I'll have to get some pictures of the fuzzy little rodent up here sometime soon. I thought I would be really grossed out by her, but she is really sweet, and actually purrs when you pet her like a cat. No long yucky tail and her eyes are all covered by her hair-so I can pretend I am petting a furry kitten and not a rat's not so distant relative.

So that was Bekah's birthday almost a whole month ago.

My other blog is monopolizing a lot of my time, and I forget to post here a lot, I will try to do better!

Just know we are all good and happy, my kids are all cute and funny, and we all miss Chad like crazy every day of the week that he is gone. Only a little over a year left of schooling-and then externship! It's hard but...Such is life! :)

Daddy's Boy

2010-02-02T01:14:00.000-08:00

Every morning my little Porter wakes up yelling "mom" "mom" "MAMMMMMAAAAA" to get my sleepy body upstairs to get him out of his crib. On the weekends when Chad is home, Chad gets to pull him out of bed. Well Porter loved that...maybe because dad is much quicker to answer the call, and maybe because dad feeds him things like donuts for breakfast...or maybe he is just fond of his dad.

Well this morning I heard him wake up, and Chad of course was already gone, but instead of the usual "mom" I heard "dadddeeee" "dadddeee".

He looked a little disappointed to see me to be honest, that's okay we all miss daddy during the week.

When Chad got home tonight at 9:30 Porter just happened to be on his way up to bed-his usual bedtime is 8:30 but we had a late night, Porter doesn't usually see his dad most days of the week because of this.

He was so excited to see him that he just clung to him, and after Chad put him to bed, he cried to get out...he NEVER does that-he loves to go to sleep. So Chad went and got him out and cuddled him for a bit.

Porter had a little perma-smile on his daddy's shoulder the entire time and wanted nothing to do with me.

I had to take a picture of this daddy's boy moment.

It snowed today...

2010-01-24T21:12:00.000-08:00

...the end.

Just a quick share...

2010-01-10T15:12:00.000-08:00

Took Bekah's 6 year old pictures (six? puke!).

This is her invite to her party, details have been swirled out, I didn't want a lot of unexpected guests showing up for pizza! :)

I have a few more of her pictures up here...

one-eight

2010-01-07T18:14:00.000-08:00

18 months of...

making messes, cleaning messes, getting hugged, giving hugs, getting kissed, giving kisses, snuggling while sleeping, not wanting to be snuggled while awake, making dirty diapers, getting dirty diapers cleaned, smiling, making us all smile, taking naps, not wanting to take naps, laughing, making everyone else laugh, having fun, not having fun, sucking on binkies, having missing binky emergencies, being a mommy's boy, being a daddy's boy, being a grandma's boy, being a naughty boy...

It's been a fun year and a half...we love this kid!

Mama got a brand new coat...

2010-01-07T18:08:00.000-08:00

My mom sent me this coat for my birthday, and I love it!

Whenever my mom buys us clothes she makes us do a "fashion show" always has always will I guess.

The first thing she says after I tell her thank you for the wonderful happiness wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper, she tells me to send a picture of me in the coat...

It just so happened that I had a professional (5 year old) photographer on hand, so I had to strike a pose!

So I decided to take the magazine shot...giving her the full effect of the "fashion show."

Thanks mom, it really is a fun coat! :)

School is in session....

2010-01-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

We started another school year on Monday...and the best part is...we turned our back bedroom into a school room!

We have bookshelves, and filing cabinets, and room for the keyboard, and a place to sit and do art projects and school assignments.

Today the kids were playing with the present that Porter gave them for Christmas...play-dough.
...and the very best part, when it was time for lunch...I didn't have to clean play-dough off the table first, and when they were done eating they went back to playing.

Christopher was concentrating very hard on making a play-dough ball, and Bekah was working on her school work for the day.
Both of the kids are always excited in the morning to get to school work, my kids love a routine, especially if mom is giving them undivided attention during said routine.

Mom is very happy to give them attention, and very excited to have all of the school stuff in one room instead of in her living room! :)

Snow-Me No Likey...

2010-01-06T23:06:00.000-08:00

...and apparently neither does my youngest.He got a tiny bit on his hand here.

When we have to go outside and there is even a little bit of snow on the ground, he freaks out and won't walk in it, he wants me to hold him.

I try to show him when it is snowing outside, and he totally gives the softly falling snowflakes a dirty look.

That's my boy!

Mirror Mirror On My Wall

2010-01-04T20:11:00.000-08:00

I Love it!

My mom's friend Brandon made it especially for me for Christmas with the colors and design I wanted.

You must see it in real life.

My address is....

Handmade with Love

2009-12-30T22:37:00.000-08:00

We made our gifts this year for each other.

And although it was A LOT of work.

It was so worth it.

Here are a few of my favorite moments on Christmas morning...

Bekah opening her puzzle blocks from Topher with pictures of The Nutcracker Ballet on them, she absolutely adores them.
Porter opening his puzzle blocks, and Christopher being so excited to see what he thought of them.Porter LOVING his barn that his sister and dad made for him, and putting all of his new presents inside.But these two moments are my favorite...

Christopher being so DANG excited about his beanbag chair, I mean look at that face!

Priceless.
And then the hug that immediately followed him opening his bean bag chair.

So much genuine love and appreciation.

And Bekah feeling what it's like to make someone she loves truly happy.

This is why we give presents on Christmas.

To feel like this.

To feel a little sliver of what its like to be truly selfless and full of love.

Like our Saviour, who this season is all about.

A Blur

2009-12-30T22:32:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning.

A lot of anticipation.

A lot of work.

A lot of money.

A lot of spoiled, tired kids.

A blur.
Porter was not liking the idea of taking a picture in front of the tree, he wanted to keep eating junk food at 5:30 am.

That's my (husbands) boy.

Tip, Tap and Slide

2009-12-30T22:21:00.000-08:00

Bekah had her Winter Showcase for her dance class a couple weeks ago.

It was just a chance for the kids to show the parents what they do in class, it was fun to see her up there dancing with all of her classmates.

She is taking both tap and ballet this year and is doing great at both.

She loves dancing and takes it very seriously.

I can't say that I am not excited about having a beautiful little ballerina as my daughter!

We can't wait for recital, although she is not excited about pulling her hair into the tight bun again for two nights in a row, (that is the only thing she doesn't like about ballet-hopefully she'll grow out of it!).

Seven Dysons Full

2009-12-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

Remember how Bekah made Topher a beanbag chair for Christmas?

Well there was a little less than half of a bag of the filling left.

I was going to make Bekah one for her birthday with the leftovers.

Going to.

Topher had other plans.

He wanted a white Christmas.

Inside the house.

He got one.

Seven Dysons full later.

We are still finding the little balls of fun....

...everywhere.

Flashbacks-Santa Claus is coming to town...

2009-12-13T23:12:00.000-08:00

Remember when my little Bekah was 2, and sang this so dang cute?

You need to make it to the end-she says "town" the best!

And it was a thing of perfection...

2009-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

My dream is to have that tree that looks like something out of a magazine-with matching ornaments, all the branches at perfect intervals down the trunk-all symetrical like....

But then I wouldn't have these memories....

My kids all gathered around our cut down tree, finding ornaments from years past...
The baby placing the star on top of the tree...You know he really didn't put the star on top right? Chad put it on top, and I took a picture of him taking it off-he is destructo-baby after all-but it looks like he did do something to contribute besides pulling the ornaments off and breaking a couple huh?

Then of course, if we had the magazine tree, I wouldn't get to come back in after the kids lost interest and space out all the ornaments that were placed in 3 large clumps around the bottom of the tree.And where's the fun in that?

I have a feeling that until the kids are grown, and maybe even after that, my dream of the magazine tree is out of the question-but that doesn't mean we don't always have the perfect tree.

Interrogations, Drugs, and Supply Closets

2009-12-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

For our field trip on Thursday we went to the Sheriff's station.

The Detective who gave us the tour was funny, he kept saying things like; "this is the interrogation room." What 3-4 year old knows what that is?Then we met the police dog-and he went on to tell us how Shelby sniffs out drugs, and how she has found lots of them. I am pretty positive not one of those kids had the slightest clue what drugs were, or why it mattered that the dog could find them. They were just excited about petting her.

They let the kids climb in the police car, and they thought that was great, but the highlight of the trip was the supply closet.

It might have had something to do with all the hundreds of Beanie Babies inside, and the fact that the Detective let them all pick one to take home...or I don't know; maybe they all just like the smell of white out.

Twas the lights before Christmas

2009-12-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

This has become a tradition all in itself...

To take pictures of my kids holding the Christmas lights, turn the room lights off, no flash, just the beautiful glow.

This one is my new favorite.
Although, I really like her coy little look here.
And this kid was actually a little upset that his dad wrapped him in lights, but you'd never know it by this picture.
Absolutely love them.

I want my house made out of Gingerbread

2009-12-11T10:56:00.000-08:00

Yes folks, I think the witch in Hansel and Gretal was on to something...Gingerbread is cheap to make.

And candy sales are still very high-even in a recession...

So finding the right part for repairs, would be easy and affordable.

The labor in building your home would be enjoyable and could be done by small children, without violating any child labor laws.

And food storage would not be necessary...

You could just eat a cabinet or something in rough times.
Unless it rained.

But if you just had a really big umbrella over your house, I think you'd be set.

World Card Making Day

2009-10-09T17:03:00.000-07:00

I don't really celebrate it or anything...usually.

It just so happenend that I needed some new cards, it was General Conference Sunday and I could just lock myself in my room, listen to conference and craft away.

Here are a few sets I made.

I like to make cards in bulk-but never do the EXACT same thing on any card. I have a lot of family that I send cards out to-I don't like to have to remember if I already sent them or a one of their siblings the exact same card-this way I don't have to.

Letter to Porter

2009-10-09T16:59:00.001-07:00

While I was in the hospital with Porter for 5 days because of his billiruben levels and on account of him being 5 weeks early, I had a lot of time to myself while he slept. During that time I wrote him a letter each day telling him what had happened each day-what tests he had done, who came to visit and of how much I loved him. It's all in the envelope waiting to be read one day when he gets older. It was really fun (and emotional) to read back through those and remember how hard it was being there all alone while he had to have so much done to his little body, and at the same time creating a bond with him with out anyone else competing for his cuddles.

Preggers in The Tulips

2009-10-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

I like this picture, kind of rare for a pregnant lady to like a candid picture taken of her huh? Chad has the photography skills! I was pregnant with Porter, and we went to the Tulip Festival one last time before we moved from Portland. This was one of our favorite things to see each year.

Swim Lessons

2009-10-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

I don't have any great pictures of Bekah's first swim lesson experience-mostly because they didn't let us in the room that had the lesson pool until the last day and then it was crowded with all the parents, but I did manage to get a few of her cheesing it. She was such a little chicken-she is in dire need to go again, so she can get over the fear. I don't understand it, she used to be such a fish!

Daily Something 9.12.09 Grease Monkey

2009-09-12T21:40:00.000-07:00

9.11.09 Matching Brothers

2009-09-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

9.3.09 Siblings

2009-09-04T10:35:00.001-07:00

9.2.09 Blackberries

2009-09-04T10:09:00.000-07:00

Daily Something 9.1.09 Beanbags

2009-09-01T23:51:00.000-07:00

Hanging Cupcake Invitations

2009-01-09T17:10:00.000-08:00

I posted a tutorial on my blog on how to make these tasty looking treats. I am getting excited for the party! I have big plans for the treats and cake...I love my kids' birthdays more than my own!