cookie fun

Anna, Caroline, Anna, Brooklyn, Emery, Alex and Brinlee

 I had the idea to have a few of the girls friends over for a cookie decorating party.  Nothing too complicated..... sugar cookies, frosting, candy, sprinkles, and a quick fun game.  I didn't realize when I planned this little shin-dig that Aaron was going to be on a hunting trip leaving me to plan and get ready solo. Luckily my mom saved the day and came down to help with Carter and manage all the little girls. Above is the game I created after seeing the idea on pintrest.  It wasn't nearly as simple to create as I anticipated but the girls really seemed to enjoy it. I filled each balloon with either candy or confetti and the girls each took turns throwing a dart at the board. We only have two small wall punctures and fun all around. !  

Anna B, Brooklyn, and Emery

This little guy was supposed to be napping but just couldn't stand being left out. Mom and Nana (Who is the real softy) got him out so he could enjoy a treat with the group. Oh does he melt my heart.

The finished product... everyone picked their favorite cookie to display!

I love this picture my mom got. You'd think that little red line is the light coming through the window. It is actually the dart flying through the air! Bulls-eye!

Caroline and Anna eagerly watching and waiting their turn

One last one of the boy.... just because!

......more updates to follow. Where has the time gone

freckles

paychecks

(Sunset from our front porch)

Yesterday Carter recieved 6 immunizations. Wow, that seemed like a lot to me. I always become a little wary when my kids recieve their immunizations.  Especially that many at once.  I do feel they are a blessing though and can't imagine my children contracting one of those horrible diseases that children used to die so often from.  

He actually did quite well yesterday,  but last night he did not sleep well and today he woke up not feeling and acting worse. He had a slight fever, and was just not happy. I was rushing getting Anna ready for school and trying to keep him happy. Multi-tasking seems to be the name of the game around here. 

(Brooklyn holding our carrott "lovers")

I finally got Anna our the door and then could focus on Carter. I found his blanket and took him in to the rocking chair. He immedietly put his head on my shoulder and we rocked and rocked.  I thought to myself,

"This is my paycheck"

Believe me, there are days that I wish I could put on a pant suit and run for the door, but those days really are few and far between. I am so grateful that I don't have to run out the door to get to work. That I am the one that can put off a shower to rock my baby who isn't feeling well.  I understand that some moms have to work, and that reenforces so much to me how blessed I am that Aaron and I have made it a priority to have me home.

Speaking of my wonderful husband, yesterday Anna was saying our morning prayer before leaving for school. She ended the prayer by saying,

"And please bless daddy that he can go to work and make lots of money."

Ahhhh Paychecks! 

fun in the sun... camping with friends

*Caution: Picture overload, they're all worth looking at though :)
This past week we had the chance to go camping with several of our best friends from Oregon.  Aaron and I have often commented on how much we love living in Rexburg, but that how we never feel like we are going to have the kind of friends that we had in Portland.  While living there our friends were our family and we miss them all terriblly. 

Many know that I was not too excited when I first heard about this camping trip.  Short background is that Aaron planned this camping trip  months and months ago without talking with me first.  It was not that I wasn't thrilled to be going to see our friends, it was the 12 hour drive in the car each way that was the road block in my mind. Also, at the time Aaron sprung the idea to me Carter was not sleeping through the night, and all I could picture was me trying to calm a screaming baby in a tent in a quiet camp-site. Yikes. Also the camp site was first come first serve and I was terrified that we would drive all that way and we couldn't even get a spot. Most people who know me well know I am a bit of a worrier and a control freak (I am working on that one ) and there were just too many things working against me to want to make this trip.  Obviously we went after many many long conversations with Aaron working though all my fears, him agreeing to sleep with Carter, and my dear friend Ciara offering to shop for, and bring food for our family so we didn't have to haul 4 nights of dinners 800 miles, I agreed. The trip there was surprisingly good but still very long. The last 4 1/2 hours of the drive were slow through windy canyons and I get very very car sick. Another reason why I don't travel well.  We were so happy to arrive to our great friends and plenty of camp sites to choose from. We spend our days boating, eating, applying sunscreen (It was hot), trying to get our babies to take naps, swimming, applying more sunscreen. eating more, boating more and then crashing at night.  I couldn't find my camera for a few days so I feel bad I didn't get pictures of all our great friends but I still think I did pretty good! Enjoy!

This picture is my favorite of the trip
Herbie and Brooklyn in their "Awkward prom photo pose"

Getting ready to head out on the boat

Maisy was such a trooper with her cast on

The Gals

Lisa, Rachel, Julie, Ciara, me and Melissa (There were so many that I wished could have made it )

Rachel, Chad, Ci, Nora, Herb, Naomi and Jeremy

Nora and Carter had so much fun with this little pool

For some reason Carter kept eating the dirt. We found it in his diaper for days

"Stick em' up!"

You had to really watch out for Brooklyn and her stick

Anna and Grace

Brooklyn, Grace, Anna and Maisey

Me and Ci

Filthy, dirty, tired family shot

Some of the men

Carter practicing the javelin

The men spent a lot of time doing this

Aaron teaching Carter about fire safety

 The men went out one night shooting. Probably the highlight of the trip

 Rachel and me getting ready to battle it out on the tube

Overall it was a great trip..... we just wish the kids would have done more of this!  We were glad to get home to a shower and a washing machine.

1st day

Anna started 2nd grade and her 4th school since kindergarten. Poor girl. Luckily we don't worry about moving any more so that is nice. She was very excited to start at her new school and ride the bus, both ways!!!  The bus picks her up at the end of our street which is so convenient.  Things have gone great the past couple of days and I know it will be a great year.

 Brooklyn also started kindergarten this year. She is in afternoon and I drop her off about 11:30.  She rides the bus home with Anna which is nice. Anna has been great about making sure that she is taken care of on the bus. Brooklyn is a bit of a home-body so I was/am a little nervous about how she'll do, but the last couple days have been great and she is having a lot of fun! 

Chipper felt the need to get in on the photo op: You can also see the evidence of Chipper's bad behavior in the welcome mat. Dumb dog :)

The house has been delightfully quiet. Is that bad to say? I love watching them get off the bus and hurry home to tell me about their days. We go from peace and quiet to chaos is seconds flat!  I wouldn't have it any other way though. I love being my children's mother!

our anna

Our little fire cracker turns 7 today!

Boy does she keep us on our toes. 

Anna, We love your energy and spunk.  You love to ride your bike and play with Brooklyn and Carter.  You've recently become very picky. You informed me the other day that you don't like cake and so you wanted pie on your birthday. Like your dad, you don't like chocolate. You almost always have an egg and toast in the morning for breakfast. Not a dippy egg though (You remind me of this every morning) You started 2nd grade yesterday and it seemed to go very well. You make friends easy and like to write stories.  I was a little emotional watching  you get on the bus but I knew that you would do great.  Sometimes it is hard to watch you grow up. We live in a scary world and I pray each day you'll make good choices so that you can be truly happy!

You love to color and create things.  Just last week I found you in the garage tracing dads tools on pieces of paper. You came in moments later with a paper tool belt full of your "tools"  You also took a large piece of cardboard and created a little city with roads and buildings and parks.  We love to watch you create!

We can't wait to watch you grow another year. We love you!

intrigued

Has anyone ever ordered clothing from THIS online company.  I love that you can customize the clothing for a resonable price and even had sleeves to dresses. Awesome!

flee market creation

 

Last weekend there was a small flee market in town.  I found a few great things and this old, empty window frame was one of them. I scored it for $10! oh ya I knew that I wanted to make it into a bulletin board for our office.  I have seen similar things in Pottery Barn and such for upwards of $150 dollars! What!?!

 

Our Walmart carries a 4 pack of 12 X 12 cork tiles (Surprisingly it is hard to find cork board loose; as in not already made into a bulletin board)  I started by cutting out a thick poster board to the size I needed to cover the back of the window.  Then using spray adhesive I glued the pieces of cork board to the poster board, cutting (not prettily I might add) the cork to fit. 

Note: It didn't matter how the cork looked because it was going to be covered any way!

Last I bought burlap at my local fabric store and covered the cork board using a staple gun, (Thanks A... he did that part) and then attached a metal wire across the back to be able to hand it.

Ta Da!  I love it!  Anna informed me that it was ugly and we needed to paint it. I explained to her the reason it was love at first sight when I spotted her, was because of her old, rustic, peeling paint. Go figure!  

Grand total: $21.00

morning harvest

 

Insight from a child

"Mom, gardens are like grocery stores except everything is free!"

Anna: 7 years old

guns, and being the "fun mom"

In a feeble attempt one day to be a "fun mom" I told the kids (My two nephews were over) that they could play in the mud while enjoying the hot day.  I came out to a huge mess .... reinforcing to me why I say no more than yes in these types of situations, and had to take a few pictures of these crazy kids.

I told the kids to make a funny face and laughed out loud when I uploaded the pictures. 

Behold, Ryan kissing his guns!

I can't wait to show him this picture when he is 16.