Our Thanksgiving Tree

I saw this idea when I was in Shawnie Pothier's beautiful home and thought it would make for a great Family Night activity. I cut out leaves in fallish colors and had the kids write things they were thankful for. Mya was over so she contributed a few leaves. They had a hard time coming up with ideas at first, but then their little hands couldn't stop writing.

The finished product! I used a frame I already had and some old scrapbook paper. I love it! I think I'll keep it forever :)

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!!

Birthday Date with Mya

For Mya's birthday this year I took her on a date! I picked her up from school and the look on her face when I pulled up was PRICELESS. I asked her what she wanted to do first and she aswered "ICE CREAM!" She informed me that Chick-Fi-La had some great milkshakes and off we went. We played in the play place for an hour or so (tag, hide and seek, me taking pictures of Mya doing strange poses, etc.). When we had had enough, we headed to Target for a small shopping spree. She loved everything she saw and it was difficult to narrow it down, but we came away with two very darling outfits. Love you Mya ~ aka Natalie! Thanks for a fun day :)

Power of Moms

Being a mom to these two has taught me much about myself and the kind of person I want to be. They tug at my heartstrings and I can't imagine life without them. It is full and rewarding because I'm constantly stretching and growing to be the mom that they deserve. My wish is for them to be safe, happy and to feel unconditional love.

I attended a mom's retreat this weekend where I was able to hear other mothers experiences, struggles, triumphs and tricks. It even motivated me to post to my blog!  One mother told a story that brought me to tears. She spoke so tenderly of her mother, who now is in the midst of Alzheimers. Growing up she remembered walking into her parents bedroom and seeing her mom kneeling in prayer. Her mom would immediately look up with a smile and open her arms, welcoming her daughter into them. When her daughter asked one day "Mom, what do you tell Heavenly Father when you stop your prayers?" Her mom answered, "Oh honey I just tell him to hold on for a minute, my baby needs me right now." She ALWAYS felt like she was the most important thing in her mother's universe. What a legacy! If I learned nothing else, this is what I'm keeping with me: nothing is more important than my children and I need to show them that in any way that I can.

Stitches

We had our fist ever trip to the hospital (for either of the kids) after Lucas took a spill in the bathroom. He was standing on the bathroom stool while washing his hands (which he does often), when the stool slipped out from underneath his feet. He landed eyebrow first onto the the edge of the counter top. Poor guy let out a sad scream and then it was pretty much over. He was fine, but I knew it needed to be stitched up. We took him to Mendy's Place because we have heard wonderful things about them. We were in and out in a couple of hours.

Here is the before. He is showing me his hospital bracelet.

These are a little out of order, but here he is with his treats: a popsicle and a homemade shark. He LOVES his shark and prefers it to any other toy!

I got him special Sesame Street band-aids and he is pretty proud to show them off.


This was my favorite part! They had to put a numbing solution on his eye and keep it there for half an hour. They wrapped his head super tight so he couldn't mess with it. Doesn't he just look thuggishly adorable?

He ended up with seven stitches and he was such a champ about it!

Special Girl

My sweet baby girl was baptized! Oh how I love her. It was a VERY special day. We as parents felt such tender feelings about our little girl and I know she felt it too.

A friend from church made this beautiful and DELICIOUS layered cake. Each layer was different and better than the last! She wrapped it in fondant and decorated it just how my little lady wanted. It was the heaviest cake and it seriously fed an army!

A gentleman caller? Nope just her good friend Carter very GQ leaning against the wall holding flowers!

My princess grill, tickle special, Mama's wubber, grizzly, care bear! Can't believe she's 8. Wow.

I am SO proud of my Jaycie. She makes great decisions, is SO compassionate and teaches me life's lessons on a daily basis by her sweet example. She is turning into such a beautiful young lady and I LOVE being her Mom!

I was not great about taking pictures because there was so much going on! Which makes me sad, but you better believe my guy will have a designated photographer for his baptism :)

Singlets Galore

Elliot ordered some wrestling match on TV so we invited the fam over for a wrestling party! Everyone had to weigh in at the door and put a singlet on. Some were better sports than others! Elliot and I both come from huge wrestling families so that has always been something we have in common. We had Mexican food courtesy of Manuel and it was a lot of fun! Here's my sweet guy snugglin with Bri on the hammock.

Zach from Washington High School. Weight class- don't remember

This is her impression of a wrestler's pose

Stephanie opted for a more layered look. Not sure she took it very seriously.

And me with Noah after his bath

Liver Walk

I know, I know, I'm WAY behind in my blogging. I'm done with being busy and summer is here, so I'm ready and motivated to do some catching up. My family (well, most of them) participated in the annual Liver Walk for The American Liver Foundation. Here we are with all of our strollers!

My Dad cannot pass up a freebie or a good deal, so when he saw a bunch of water bottles not being used he thought he'd better inquire. The next thing we know he is getting a ride in a golf cart from some woman he's never met with CASES upon CASES of water bottles. Definitely the biggest laugh of the day.

Lucas with his "wizard"

This woman was in front of us during the entire walk and we SO appreciated her 'do'

Jaxson and Jaycie takin' a pit stop

Party @ Pump It Up

Carter Dettmar had a party for his 7th birthday @ one of our favorite places. Lucas was such a big boy sitting at the table with the rest of the kids. He had a slice of pizza, POP, and a piece of cake. As if he wasn't in heaven already from all the jumping! Doesn't he just look sheepishly happy?

The birthday boy. We love you Carter!

Jaycie is like "Oh yeah" and Lucas has zoned in on a balloon.

Lucas in action. He needed a little help on the big hills (which gave me a great workout), but he was a real pro!

buns.

After Lucas' morning bath he loves to climb onto the back of the futon in his room, pull up the shades and look out the window. This is what I walked in on while I was putting his towel away! Just buns.

Winter, Spring...

I love Lucas' face in this pic... Just my fam sharin' a smoothie!

We had the best V-day this year. Jaycie and I cleaned the house and lit EVERY candle we own. Elliot picked up sushi with all the fixins.


♥ My Valentine for the past 10 years ♥

Elliot and Lucas had some V-day business to do - Lucas came back in a suit jacket and they were each holding a bouquet of flowers and bottle of perfume for Jaycie and I! Lucas said "Happy Valentine's Day Sissa!" Sweetest thing I've EVER seen. That boy melts my heart!
I love that his Dad is teaching him how to treat the ladies in his life.

The spread! Oh and notice how it is on top of our puzzle... Me and Jaycie were about 800 pieces into a 1000 puzzle and I couldn't bear to take it apart.

I planted a garden this year and am thrilled about it! We have cantaloupe, carrots, peppers, tomatoes and romaine. Here is my most handsome little gardener.

Lucas had the best day helping me prepare the soil and plant the seeds. He honestly did half the work!

He pretty much held his shovel the rest of the day.

My sweet Bear is 8 now. How did this happen? She is growing and changing before my eyes. I tell her on a regular basis to get back in my belly because it's all happening too fast for me. Sometimes she humors me, curls up into a ball and climbs into my shirt. I always want my kids to know how special they are and how much they are loved. These days when I'm having a moment with my girl she'll say "Mom, are you gonna cry?"

This only makes me go from tearing up to actually crying! I just love her to pieces and I know she knows it! For her birthday we had our 2nd annual get out of school early and go ice skating day. It was a blast! Here is the crew: Mya, Jaxson, J, Carter and Sydni

I took her to breakfast before school at a nearby cafe. She ordered biscuits and gravy with bacon and a hot chocolate. Everyone in the restaurant wished her a happy birthday and one sweet woman gave her $2.

The night before we decorated her room with streamers and balloons while she was sleeping! We got her a scooter and Elliot bought 2 Justin Bieber shirts and put them in her room so she had a surprise to wake up to.

The way to this girls heart is FOOD. I felt sick by the end of the day because I ate not a morsel of food from home. Olive Garden was her pick for dinner so we dropped Lucas off at Bobba and Papa's so we could make it special. Here she is loving on Elliot while we were waiting for our table.

Slightly out of order I realize, but it is midnight so I don't care. Here's another shot from the skating rink - Lucas and Blanca. I love how much she loves him! And the feeling is mutual.

Holding her new pillow pet. I don't get what the big deal is about pillow pets. Yeah they are a pillow. And a pet. She loves it though - Thanks Ab!

Last year Elliot snuck up behind Brielle (my baby sis) and picked her up off the ground resulting in this great picture.

Here is this year's re-enactment which I love equally!

Lucas had a birthday! (like a month ago)

We had the best day at The Enchanted Island at Encanto Park. Lucas and several friends of his got to go on all the rides we could squeeze in. He was fearless as always and happy to be spending the day with his pals. After the rides we had a picnic lunch and cupcakes for dessert!

Whitney, L and Bri

BFF's

Only THIS face could ever get me to go on THIS ride. Reminded me of the teacups @ Disney and I HATE the teacups!

Emmy!!

So I looked over and thought this was a homeless man in the middle of the amusement park, but no, it was just my Dad.

Gabriel, Janelle and Emmy

Porter, Lucas and Mya

The rest of the gang eating lunch

Happy Birthday sweetest boy!