We love to party!

The Cars cake!

Blowing out the candles!

The Birthday Boy!

His new bike! You got it! We are trying to get him to ride his two-wheeler with out training wheels! He's doing well, but needs more practice!

This snorkel gear has been his BEST present yet. Thanks to Grandpa Randy, he took him out for his little birthday shopping trip and this is what Jake picked. Honestly, this couldn't have been a more wanted item!

Here are our "4" year old boys!

Jake picked to have a "Cars" cake. So with much creativity on Shan's part we ended up with the best looking Radiator Springs Cars cake. Even though it wasn't a cake, we decided to do a sheet of brownies because they are so much easier to frost than cake. Either way these boys were TOTALLY pleased! Happy Birthday Jake and Isaac! We love you two!

It's my birthday!

It's my birthday and I can smile if I want to...smile if I want to!
Seriously, how has 4 years of his life passed already! All I can say is we LOVE this kid being in our family, we are truly blessed to have him! We love you Jakey!!

Happy Mothers Day

Does it really get any better than having three little monkies on this day? I think not! How grateful I am for them. I am realizing more and more how truly grateful for this amazing journey! I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Do you know what this smile is for? Well, it's been a two week long period of practicing how to ride a two-wheeler bike! Because today she said to me, "Mom, today is the day...I think I've got it figured out!"
Caleb cheering his big sister on..."Go Alayna!"

Off she goes! We have spent every day practicing. We have a family trip planned in the next few weeks and I wanted her to be able to bring her bike and ride with her cousins! We figured this summer we better take this seriously. So with her getting more and more brave and comfortable on the bike she has figured it out! This has been a BIG milestone week for her because not only has she mastered how to ride a bike she also learned how to tie her own shoes! Oh, my little kindergartner is growing up. I think it might be time for her to move on to 1st grade!

As we were out admiring how well Alayna was riding her bike Caleb was pointing out to me all our flowers. So I decided to take a few pictures to actually document COLOR is happening all around our yard!

A Day in the Life of an Ant...

What is it with little boys and ants...not really sure because I personally don't care for them. But little boys must!

All the boys around gathered together in this darling circle to watch the ants...and watch them...and watch them...until big mean scary mom said, "I'm getting the poison to kill them." Jake immediately put up his hand to tell me, "NO don't kill them...because I will drowned them with water, they'd like it better!"

So apparently I have learned Jacob's more preferred method of killing bugs. Let' them suffer and drowned.

Alayna decided to befriend some ants after Jake poured water all over his pile. She decided to let them crawl on her hands...until she couldn't shake them off! It turned out pretty funny. Really, I'm okay with ants out in dirt fields, but I don't like them close to my garage...I told the kids it's because they ate their Popsicles too close to my house. Next time they better eat those Popsicles on the grass. Honestly, these kids are so dang fun to have around. We really have lucked out having so many cousins and little friends live around us that bring all their bikes over for "parades" nearly everyday. Oh, maybe life is wonderful because the SUN has been shining for at least 4 days in a row...This is the time of year I truly love...

Herriman Easter Egg Hunts

Look at this crowd! Unreal...not to mention this was the section for the 6-7 year olds...They had 5 other areas for all the other kids of this great city. It was a PACKED park but it was totally worth it! I'm not a crowd person, but for some reason this doesn't bother me at all!

That standard fam shot.

The standard kid shot...at least they are smiling right?

I'm a BIG boy now!!

That's right folks...the baby crib is down! Hip Hip Hooray!!

They are sailing in their boat...

Let's just say that this little tike has caused more trouble than any of the other kids to date. He officially has climbed out of his crib and opened every door to escape out of his room during nap time. Not to mention in St. George he learned how to climb out of the porta crib too...So it was inevitable to just break down and make him sleep on a big boy bed. It's amazing how fast this time has come. The funny thing is that all my other kids were already doing this next step in life because I would normally be popping out the next baby in a few weeks. So with that being said, tonight was a great success, he cried and climbed off then after about 20 seconds of crying he climbed back up onto his bed and fell asleep! I'm not too nervous for night time but let's just say I have a feeling naps are going to change and become a nightmare! AHHHHH

Good Night our crazy little monkey man! Just so you all don't panic that paint color is actually darling...it matched the crib bedding but now it clashes with his early birthday present...his matching bed spread with his brother Jacob. Our plans are to switch to have both boys in the big room with the bunk beds and let our only girl have her own room in the old nursery...so hence the darling green can stay! Oh, is it ever possible to not have a new decorating project? It's a good thing I enjoy decorating so much!

There is nothing better than mini-vacations...especially when you find SUN!

That's right, we were all up in arms with the rain, clouds, wind, snow and nothing fun to do...so what did we do? We decided to hop in the car and head down to St. George to 80 degrees of warmth, SUN and swimming. Seriously, this kid couldn't have been happier about the little mini vacation. I really keep asking myself why I live where I do? Because seriously, we are happier in the SUN and with a pool nearby!

Caleb's new favorite scooter! He wouldn't share with anyone! Good thing he has birthday coming up in a few weeks...I learned two new great summer toys for him!

Thanks to ALL my sisters wanting the same exact FUN holiday weekend we headed down to where we all have connections to stay with people. We lucked out having so many swimming options. But thankfully my sisters family neighbors had this great pool that they welcomed all 8 adults and 20 kids to come over and go swimming! It was AWESOME! The best part was they lived right next door so all the little babies could take great naps while we were over the fence swimming. It was so MUCH fun!!Ice cream poolside is the best way to enjoy them!

Jake is totally proud of his Spiderman floaties he found!

There really is nothing better than cousins having fun together! This morning we played very competitive games of steal the flag and kick soccer before our afternoon filled with sunshine. After our last day of sunshine we had to pile back in the car to return home to our daddy! Jared was gone in Elko, NV once again for work for the full week so we were VERY excited to be home with him again. Thanks to all for such a great mini-vacation!!!

(Sadly, my shoulders are totally sunburned...since when does 30 SPF sunscreen not work for me?? Unreal, I feel like a teenager all over again in so much pain! ahhhhhh)

What have I been up to?

It's been two years since we moved into our house and let's just say there have been a few areas that have driven me crazy since the very beginning. So with the spring weather in the air and spring cleaning I couldn't help but seize the moment and make a few changes!

Let me introduce you to my new office...I should have taken before pictures, but I was TOO excited to have the old Target bookcases removed from my sight! After a date to Ikea and me explaining my reasons to Jared of why this change is a MUST we were leaving with my new vision in place. Our beautiful office furniture is just that, darling to boot but not functional at all. Since I am a girl who enjoys things to not just be functional but cute too, I new this would be just the trick. I needed some baskets that could hold all my camera gear up and away from little kid hands. Since I spent all night last night doing the book case, I have yet to start on the actual desk. I'll give you the entire office makeover once it's done. Not to mention the new family photo that will be hanging above this bookcase. Anyways, decor and organization must be brought to a stop since I'll be chasing sunshine for the next few days!

Project #2: Laundry Room. I don't know about you, but my laundry room was filled with ???? (Fill in the blank? ANYTHING but NOTHING all at the same time!) So, this room really gave me anxiety, from laundry baskets, to messy counter, etc. I finally had had it! I also got at Ikea matching smaller laundry baskets to place on the counter which will inevitably help me NOT put anything on the counter that doesn't belong! We now have a laundry system. The kids can help sort the dirty clothes, then empty the dryer and put them in the coordinating baskets. I have always felt super privileged to have such an amazing counter in my laundry room, but it hasn't been used to it's full organizing potential until now! I love it!

Project #3: Bonus Pantry
Way back two years ago when we walked through this house I fell in love with this extra pantry in my kitchen! It's amazing! It has the tallest ceilings and deep shelves all the way up. I first started with some food storage in here, then arts/crafts for the kids, then pots/pans, etc. Then I finally had had enough. I decided that whatever my method was, wasn't working. So I pulled out my measuring tape and began to utilize ALL of the space I had in the most effective way. On the same date to Ikea, we stopped at Walmart to find the perfect totes that would fit perfectly on those deep shelves. YEAH! We were totally successful and found just enough for what I needed. Yesterday morning the kids and I spent organizing, cleaning, de-junking and making our once "Oh, so MESSY" pantry super clean, not to mention with labels on everything!! With us cleaning the laundry room counter, I had to find space for all my "fancy" dishes, so up to the top they go. I know this breaks every single earthquake safety rule...but they are up and away for now!

What else have I been up too, well the usual messes around the house! Thanks to Jake finding our Easter eggs, he's been playing "Easter Egg Hunt!" all day long! I decided today I'm waiting for them to be home from school to pick up their own mess. I'm tired of doing it for them. Not to mention, I have my own piles of messes to still clean up!!
There is something that is so exciting about spring cleaning, I can't wait till Saturday because Jared will be home and we will clean out the garage! I hope the sun will shine on that day!!!

Kids, Kids, Kids

Caleb is himself, messy, into everything, talking a TON, learning to climb even higher than he has before, and honestly being so dang cute! I am loving the aspect of him learning so many new words on a daily basis. He's finally starting to repeat any word you tell him to, then it sticks, and he continues to say it. It's just such a fun age. But yet still an age filled with trouble and curiosity.

Thank you Brian and Ashley for sending such a FUN box for Jake to play in. Let's just say this provided hours and hours, day after day of fun for them. I finally had to toss it in the trash when they were sleeping, because I was finding balloon pieces all over my house!

Alayna is in heaven whenever the sun is shining! We are appreciating the few glimpses of sunshine we get in this ridiculous spring weather!

We've Had a Birthday Shout Hooray!

We'd like to sing to you today!

One Year Older and Wiser too!
Happy Birthday...To Alayna!

She's the BIG #6 this year. Let's just say that this young lady looks forward to each holiday, family tradition, family parties and HER BIRTHDAY all year long! She is a party girl through and through. Whether she is planning a party for someone else or her own birthday party, she's always thinking about what should be done at the parties. It actually makes planning for her really easy. She covers ALL the details and has so much fun thinking about all of them.

This year it was a little different, or is should have been. Her EXTRA BIG present (Which normally isn't given) was a week long trip to Disneyland with her cousins in February 2011. She had the BEST time of her life and enjoyed it because it was for her birthday present.Today came and she knew she was receiving a few presents from her Aunt & Uncle, Grandparents, cousins. But she really wasn't expecting anything from us. So with just a few simple gifts, a Tinkerbell watch and Minnie Mouse socks to remind her of her trip she was thrilled. When the night was over she said, "I really got so many presents Mom, that was so nice of you because Disneyland really was supposed to be for my birthday!"

Thankfully at Christmas I put away a few gifts for her birthday because like always we give too many at Christmas. So without spending any extra money we looked like we got her some presents. Either way, for me birthdays aren't about the presents it's about making the child feel SPECIAL all day long. Let's just say, she had a GREAT birthday.We started the day out with her little cousins over for Joyschool, but we played birthday games for a little party.Then it was off to Kindergarten. She was so excited because she could pass out her little pencils and erasers to all her kids in her class. Then, I was able to come in and volunteer today, so she LOVED having me there! It is always darling to see her in action at school. She is one serious little girl!(Her Grandpa Randy let her pick any toy in the store...drumroll...a Pillow Pet! She finally got one, she's wanted one for SOOOOO long! Too bad I'm too cheap, they have yet to go on sale anywhere! She picked a darling bunny and she hasn't let it out of her sight yet! She LOVES it!!)
Then it was home from school, cake decorating (Thanks to my sisters and neighbors!), pizza party, playing outside, watching Tangled, playing more pin-the-nose on Flynn Rider game, so fun! Anyways, it was a VERY whirlwind of a day but the best part was in her prayer tonight she thanked Heavenly Father for having so many wonderful family members who love her so much and helped her feel special today! I couldn't agree more.
Thank you to everyone for the phone calls, visits, and sticking through a very long party! It meant the world to her.She blew out all her candles, and I told her "I hope you made a good wish!" She said, "I did, but I can't remember what it was for?" Until next year...

Milestones...

Jared said that he was so taking a picture of this milestone in our family. He even said, "This is totally blog worthy!" So with his encouragement and determination to take a picture of the moment his car hit 200,000 miles...here you go! Wish us another 5 years with this car, we need it to last just a little while longer!

Conference Weekend...Besides conference being fantastic, relaxing, inspiring, uplifting, filled with fun food, family and new activities. We managed to head out to the park in between sessions on Saturday. For our first family kite flying activity of the year. Sadly it might be the last because by the end of the afternoon, Jake's kite was broken and Alayna's flew off the string and went far away into the depths of a neighborhood. Jared even tried to drive and find it but had no luck. Thankfully I got them for $1 at Walgreen's. This activity was well worth the $2 I spent!The kids had their kites they were dying to go out and use. Thankfully it was just the right amount of WIND to send their kites soaring. Watching the kite crash to the ground.

Jake was SUPER determined to keep his kite up HIGH in the sky!