GO RANGERS!!!

Before the chaos that we call the school year starts.  We try and do a little fun thing together as a family.  One last who-ha before spelling words and math facts rule our afternoons instead of hide and seek and edible play dough.

Our last hurrah was an Ranger's Game.

It was hot.

We were together.

We were tired.

We saw fireworks.

We sang along.

We made memories.

I love it.  I wish we could freeze moments like this.  Re-live the moments.

I am just glad that Mimi was able to come and build these bonds with us.

I am just glad that we went.

I can't wait until next year!

First Day of School 2012

So the fact that two of my babies are in 2nd and 1st grade totally blows my mind.

Chunk 

JellyBean

BFF's

This is the last year they will be together at this sign!

So excited to start!  She could barely sleep she was so excited!

He- he wanted to stay home and play with edible play dough.

I miss them.  Monkey cries that he is a big boy- and he wants to go.  I will cry when he leaves.  But I have him for one more year.  I love them.  I love this.  I love that they love to learn- but I also love that Chunk never wants to leave because 'things are just so much betterer at home'.

Z just loves all the attention I can give him now.

Here is to another year- don't blink or you will miss it!

Road Trip of Summer 2012

We started this 23 hour/ 3 day car trip with some drama of a broken collar bone.  We started this journey with 4 hours of sleep.  25 lbs. of carrots and apples, 48 string cheese, 48 packages of goldfish, and 56 packages of gummy/fruit snacks.  We had 18 new games, 36 different shows/movies available on 6 different devices and 24 books.

We were prepared.  We had routes planned and maps printed and reservations made.

It.  Was.  Awesome.

I would do it again tomorrow too.

The kids actually liked it, and did very well with it.  I think Z having his poor broken collar bone help keep him drugged calmed, so that also made things nice.

Oh- and never under estimate the power of a swimming pool.

As soon as we would let them, the kids were so excited to watch movie after movie after show after game.  They NEVER get that much screen time- but there is NOTHING to see from mid-Texas until about southern Utah.  So we were fine with it.  When we did see cool mountain or rock formations the kids were always excited to see SOMETHING when we would point them out- but other than that, it was about the snacks and shows!

Here is the wonderful driver.  He doesn't mind all the driving.  He will put on an audio-book and just drive.  I don't mind too much either.

I like being able to look at the different areas.  I like to see the landscape change.  I like to see the incredible imagination of our world's Creator.  It truly is amazing that He made this amazing difference. Left side sun, right side rain.  Truly awesome.

There were these awesome cacti all over.  They had little melons growing off of them.  No clue what they were but Hubs and kiddos thought it was pretty awesome when we counted and passed 50 of them within 2 miles.  And those were the ones on the side of the road!  Like I said, He is truly amazing!

When we were deciding on a route- we decided to take a 'less beaten path'.  It will be a new thing.  Never go the same way!!

Something we learned about Chunk- he is afraid of heights.  The fact that half of the route was like this- did not bode well with him.  He refused to look around- or get out for pictures.   It was always really cute to hear his nervous squeak in the back when he realized how high we really were, and then hear the relief sigh when we got to the bottom of the canyons.  

We saw so many beautiful places!

We headed over to 4-Corners.  Even if it's in-accurate- I still love going there.  The little stores there are AWESOME!

Another tradition is the Hole in the Rock.

Love that place.

There are so many random things there it can't help but make you smile!

They also have this AH-MAZING zoo.  I say amazing because I like zoo's.  And this one you can feed the animals.  That is great.  The kids LOVE that fact.

(The fattest hog I have ever seen.)

If I can ever figure out how to post the video- I will post me kissing the camel.  Yep- I kissed a camel.  It was rather scratchy.  I think I will stick with Mr. Hunky.  He smells better too.

As we were driving there was a storm behind us.  The kids happened to notice the bright rainbow, and fell in love.

Really it was great.  The kids did well- and it will only get better as they get older.  I think I am excited for the next time!

Finally something broke

So we had the awesome chance to drive up to Utah to see awesome Uncle Stevie marry awesome Aunt Liz and see amazing Uncle Chris come home from his mission.  We were due to leave super early on a Saturday morning, so Friday I was doing a lot of trip preparations and packing.

Z was going through a phase where he liked to sit on the railing like he was riding a horse and watch what was going upstairs.  Occasionally he would wiggle like he was riding a horse and then he would start to loose his balance and then he would get himself down.  Getting up to getting down took about a total of 90 seconds.  I would look at him as he was playing trains or something, I would put something away and he was already up there- I would then hear a 'whoa' in the background so I would check on him and he would be climbing down.  Keep in mind this action of climbing up there was not condoned!  Many time I would scold and occasionally swat a little boy for doing such things.  I would (or try to) impress upon his little brain that this was NOT as safe activity and that he would get a big owie.  After shoving this (obviously un-successfully) into his brain I would redirect him to something that was safe.  On floor.  Away from the stairs.

This was the case this Friday afternoon the day before we were leaving for 2 weeks.  After redirecting him, I ran downstairs for a minute, the next thing I know I hear a HUGE thump followed by a series of smaller thumps (I recognized these as 'falling down stairs thumps') and then a wail and scream/cry like no other.  It was that moment I knew I would be going to the ER with Z.  Again.

I rush upstairs as he is coming to me with his blankets he went and got and climbed into my lap and just cried.  I could tell he hurt but he wouldn't let me move him to find out where.  I could tell it wasn't his legs or arms- so part of me was hoping he just got the air knocked out of him.  I knew that wasn't a likely option but I was hoping!

As I was calming him down I smelled him.

So I was changing him and every time I moved his upper body- he would burst into tears again.  It was so sad!  I called Mr. Manly and told him I thought we needed to go to the ER- he came home and was feeling his bones and didn't feel anything, at this point he had calmed down and was able and willing to sit on the couch.  I was still un-sure.  I call magnificent Aunt Mallory who happens to be a ER nurse and described the reactions and situation and she agreed with my guess- he broke his collar bone.  To test this theory (and I still feel bad about this) we nicely held his right hand and held a piece of candy.  He tried reaching for it with the bad side and broke down sobbing.

After a quick call to the hospital and a blessing- we heading to the ER.  Again.

The only pictures we got were in the waiting room.  They took us in, x-rayed him and then we sat on the little bed and waited for the Dr. to come in and confirm the break.

Poor guy really handled it like a champ.  He was so tough and proud- it kind of made my mommy heart proud!

They just told me to give him medicine for the pain and then gave him an 'eight brace' to wear.  They told me that most kids hate them and it's a fight.  But really he did so well with it, he liked to wear it.  I think I helped it feel better.  So it was really nice that he never fought us about wearing it.

Six weeks later we went to the Dr- and he said it looked so awesome that in another 5 years you won't even be able to tell it was broken!  So that was awesome!  He then said that we can either take the brace off, or leave it on if it slows him down or makes him more careful.  We then both looked at Z and laughed and said fat chance of him slowing down!  So then the brace came off!

After the break- he has been a bit more careful.  But he also acquired the talent of doing things one armed.  

Z- I am glad you are mine.  I love you dearly.  But you better be rich so I can live off of you- you owe me!!

Roller Skating Flop

We thought we would be good parents and exhaust expose our sweet children to different adventures in life.

They didn't really appreciate the art of roller skating.

They did say they were willing to try it again in "like 57 years" when they have 'more muscles'.

We plan on taking them before the year ends.  Maybe it will be different when I don't have to sit out with a little broken collar bone and then I can help more.  (Who takes their two year old that has a broken collar bone roller skating?  Us- that is who.  And yes, we may be a bit crazy!)

So as I took these sweetest kids to get the seemingly endless list of school supplies- we decided to make into a mini date.

School Supplies.

Dinner.

Bowling.

It all equals one of the best nights.  I don't think they will remember this night in 20 years.  I might not either.  But right now I am holding onto these memories with an iron fist.  They are so young and precious and happy.  I want to keep them in this bubble forever.

I love you babies.  I love you so much I really can't show you all the ways.  So for now I will just continue to fold your endless amounts of laundry, and make you food that you sometimes whine about eating, and I will carpool you around.  Because as crazy as it is.  I am just glad that I am there for you and we get that time together.

One night shortly after we sadly removed the side of the crib to make it into a toddler bed, we went to check on Chunk and Z to see how they were fairing.

This is what we found.

It sure melted my mommy heart.

As much as Chunk complains about having to share a room- he sure loves and watches out for his baby brother.  The next morning I asked why they were sleeping in the same bed and Chunk just shrugged his shoulders and said how Z was sad, and him sleeping in the bed with him made him happier.

This is what life is about.

This is why I love my 'job'.

I love my forever family.

32!!!!!

So Joseph had his 32 birthday.
The kids were far more excited for his birthday then he was I think.

Monkey and Z colored him a sign.

I gave my favorite man a hug.

JellyBean and Chunk worked so hard on their sign for him.  They were so worried that he wouldn't like the colored ABCABC pattern they decided to do.  When I told him of their concern, he quickly reassured them that he loves the ABCABC pattern.  He really couldn't contain his laugh on that one.  

Earlier in the year Hubster decided he needed a new laptop, he found an awesome one, and that was his present from me.  I did really good this year.  =D

The kids have decided they love to play games with him.  When we get to the store there is always a very serious discussion about what to get him and why or why not a particular game would be the better choice.

This year all 3 boys saw 'Rock'em Sock'em'  and knew instantly that this was the game for their dad (aka them). 

I really don't know who was more excited about this- the little boys or the big boy.  It was really cute.

JellyBean has been learning to play chess with her daddy.  She saw this 12 in 1 game box and was really excited.  She was ecstatic to get it for him and had to help wrap and then un-wrap it!  It has been used many times since that day!

Over the years, all Hubster wants for his cake is Blackberry Cobbler.  I have spent the past 9 years of our married lives perfecting this cobbler.  This was the first year he said it was perfect!!  (Now some would think I would be insulted that he would be criticize something I've been working on, but he knows that I would prefer to know so I can tweak and make it perfect for him!  I LOVE experimenting and making it just right!)

(Yes, this is a seperate 30 and 2- they don't make '32's' and they don't make '+' signs, so I improvised!)

Golly we love this man.  He makes everyday a better day just by being a part of it.  The world is such a better place because of him!
Love you darling husband of mine, I truly can't wait to spend another 32 years and more with you!
Happy Birthday!

Summer Catch-Up

It was a good summer.  Of course we had our good day and our bad, but I must say, I truly enjoyed each minute I was able to snuggle my kids at will and play what we wanted in our jammies if we wanted no less.

Jelly bean was hard to come by- she spent so much time reading at times she was like a stranger.

I honestly can't say that I blame her.  I also can't say that I wasn't trying to hinder her at all- trying to get her expand her horizons, sure we went on walks..... to the library, and we talked about things that were imaginary.... that she read about in her book.  But it's a healthy habit- I won't complain!

This boy grew up.

So did he.

And especially him.

It was hard watching my babies grow up.  All of them.  To see them change and discover each others 'coolness' and play together melted my mommy heart.  To hear Monkey ask for Chunk first thing in the morning was awesome.  Then to see Z chase them down, and then to be included brought tears to my on more than one occasion   My favorite were the fashion shows.....

I had to post this boys- I'm sorry.  Chunk I believe your alter-egos name was 'Snow Flake-a' and Monkey yours was 'Sparkala'.  Jellybean did give the names to you, but I have 5 minutes of video to show what willing participants you were!  It was so cute to see you all working so well together and to see you play in NOT YOU FAVORITE way, but so your sister could be so happy.  Truly an awesome sight.

We also went roller skating.  Crazy?  Probably.  I stayed out of the rink to keep an eye on those not skating, and as hard as it was, your dad was a great sport and he dragged everyone around that rink just to hear your giggles and help you stay upright!    

Watching things like this just made it that much more clear to me as to why I married the greatest guy ever!

Z still had his broken collar bone.  This is how he got around the rink.

His squeals of pure delight were so great!  Everyone at the rink was watching him and laughing at his squeal.

Monkey was not in the best of moods when we tried to get him to stop to take pictures of him.  And when we finally did get him to stop he went straight for the arcade.  The only picture we got of him were too far away and too dark to see anything...

An official vote by Chunk was taken, and they all decided it was too hard and that we should stick to bowling.  It was much more fun.  Therefore we have made plans to go back this fall!  The better they get the more they will like it that is for sure- they sure liked it when they were there!

The library every summer has different shows and activities going on.  One of the shows was a Bubble Lady.  

Z ended up being sick- and so our friend took her two kids and then the three older kids.

They all had a lot of fun!!  It only increased their ginormous love of bubbles! 

Z decided that he was going to be my special helper in the kitchen.  At. all. times.  That makes things an adventure most times.  He is getting a firm understanding that when I say 'hot' and 'owwie' I know what I am talking about and mean it when I say it.  I think he will have to be one of these kids that has to learn and discover on his own.  'Here-say' will not work with him I think.

One week we had a few things from amazon come in.  Whatever it was came in BIG boxes rocket ships.  The boys were so excited about this fact.  They played for a good 4 hours the first day with these, and then they were loved until they were no longer functioning boxes!

During one of the many fashion show that Z and I received- he was not easy to keep entertained during the costume changes.  So we took pictures.  This one just happened to be one of my favorites.  That gigantic smile is such a common sight on his face.  He is such a happy baby little boy.  When did it come to the point I couldn't call him my baby anymore?  Ugh.

One thing that brings JellyBean more joy than anything else is making a a dress to look like a princess.  Oh and she does it often and well.  This is a blanket that she used to make a dress using all her flower hair bows.  This was a common thing, princess garb out of anything and everything.  Her friend Sissy (her brother Bubba and momma Glenna) came over twice a week at times to let the kids play.  These girls are super cute with each other it's rather adorable.

Summer was good!  We bonded.  We played.  We ate.  We had an all around party and I loved it.

I'm already looking forward to next year when we can do more do less all at the same time!