Name change...

Here's the thing, I've been debating for a long time if I should go private here in bloggy land, but have really not felt all that great about the decision, so I've decided to change all our names to nicknames (of sort), therefore, please be patient as I go through all 202 posts and change all the names.
Shrek is explained in the previous post. Audi is the nickname Shrek gave me when we were dating. When we got married my initials became TT and the car company-Audi-had just come out with a sports car...Audi TT...since Shrek is so into cars, it has stuck. The kids don't have any particular "nicknames" so to speak, so the names they have are their first initials until I can figure something more clever!
So, there you have it folks, the explanation you deserve!!!

Coming out of hibernation...

...I have taken a hiatus from the blog world for the past few weeks-this month has been crazy busy and I decided to use my time more "wisely" and spend more quality time with the kids during "free-time" instead of sitting and letting the calories plant themselves in my belly (not that I got any thinner playing with the kids). I figured a little update would help, if you don't care that's fine, but I do...I'm sure you are well aware of L's first steps beings it's been a few weeks since then -although she is still choose-y when she will take those great and magnificent strides...

Utah trip (take 2 for May)
Sister-in-law baby shower...good thing too-she ended up having her baby 4 days later-one month early, she had toxemia pretty bad and he had a knot in the cord, they discovered at his birth...mom and baby are doing well-can't wait to meet the little man...

my sisters-in-law and me

the yummy food we had (the cheese fondue has become quite the hit with shrek's family)

the mother-to-be and the diaper cake I made (I couldn't resist showing it, I think it turned out darn well, thanks Kimberly for the advice)


Enjoying the swingset one last day...the landlord needed it moved to her residence...(and warm, fresh air)

S-my future frugal spender ;)





L was so relaxed...I feel badly she didn't get much more time on it than this...

it's not often you get them all to "pose" while playing

Last day of Preschool

Crazy hat day...she wanted to be cuter than crazy ;)

she and her teacher...we will miss her next year, she was great (she's having a baby early september and opted to be home to be a mom-way to go!!)


Shrek's birthday
shortly after starting his job, a year ago, J was dubbed as Shrek at work...his size and the green scrubs he wears makes it, oh so irresistible!! it's quite hilarious...most of them have called him Shrek for so long that they have forgotten his real name (if not for the nametag necklace he dones)

the cake...

the SPOILED gift he received...a real life helicopter repilca, apparantly it's a man's dream ;)

it has pricey parts, we have to keep the littlest of destructors away


Kindergarten graduation

they were taught the "graduation march" (aka the wedding march) and they all walked in like that, it was uber cute!

majority of his class, singing the "alma mater"

I couldn't resist this picture...the girl on the right (Julie) has caught B's eye lately...most mornings he asks me to choose between a couple shirts with the decision based on if Julie will like it or not...he's trying to impress without being too over the top-it's kind of cute!

receiving his diploma from the principle (wow, did i spell that right? looks totally wrong)

his proud great-grandma

his extra proud great-great grandma!

and the ExTrEmElY proud parents (we made it through Kindergarten without too many tears [mostly from mom]...I talked to the school counselor today and was able to negotiate and discuss my issues regarding school and my concerns leading into next year...she picked a teacher that sounds very close to the personality of the one he had before we moved and I feel extremely comfortable...I have made it a personal duty to become more involved with the school and the programs, etc. this next year)

We've had a crazy month and now it's summer!!! More crazy times ahead, but a little more relaxed I hope...I'm quite anxious for the change of routine...I just hope I can figure out some fun things to do in this new city...I don't know much to do that doesn't cost much...thanks for enduring the recap...

Baby steps...

...Princess L turned 10 months on Saturday and has slowly been gathering her courage to walk unassisted...she is now taking about 10 steps before falling and can balance herself when staggering...she is slightly stubborn and chooses when she feels like walking and when she'll just sit and wait to be picked up! She's also getting THREE molars and they are buggars!!!

Poor Princess L is #4 and sometimes it's hard for me to remember to pass on the fun milestones...oh well, better late than never ;)

THEY DID IT!!

My brother and his wife graduated from Idaho State University over the weekend! What an accomplishment, not only to be done with school, but to succeed together!! Way to go! Congratulations you two!

the graduated couple

L really wanted those flowers

her chubby hand was pointing at everything

the girls just love their aunt and were so happy she "was a princess"

After the graduation (which I admit we were only there for the "important" parts) we were invited to their home for a BBQ and fun and games. We had a blast!

L was thrilled to play in the lawn

it was windy enough (sometimes) to get the kite in the air-they had a BLAST with grandma

there is a hill just out my brother's back porch...it was truly entertaining

Oh what fun it is to see happy family gathered together to celebrate in each other's successes and joys!!

Cinco De Mayo

We visited family in Utah for Cinco de Mayo...J's sister and fam are up from NV-we haven't seen her in 5 years-so we decided it was worth missing some school and seeing some family! We have a great time. J even commented that the "vacation" wasn't long enough...good thing we go back in two weeks!!

The thunder was a rolling on the way down...it was really neat to watch the weather change...not so neat to drive in (at least not if I was driving) the kids thought it was so weird that the rain would be so loud and not as quiet as if we were in our house...

I've never taken a picture of the two of us while we're driving...here we are

K has taken after her father's footsteps and decided to be a nurse...it was so fun to watch them act!

L was in high heaven for being in a "big-girl chair" at the table!!

The men at work...making the most delicious carne asada's I've ever tasted! I hope Shrek decides to make them again some day soon, yes that's a hint ;)

the little girl cousins started playing together almost immediately, no matter the age, size difference let alone some of them had never met before! they kept running in circles, but all my shots of that were blurry...this is the best one

Shrek riding his brother's bike! He thinks he should have one too...maybe when the kids are all grown!

The girls were having so much fun outside waiting their turn to ride on the motorcycle

K LOVED this experience, she wouldn't even look at me

this picture says a thousand words!!

K and cousin were waiting on the lawn together...I couldn't resist the shot

Fluffy Bunny siblings

Fluffy Bunny...they are to put as many marshmallows in their mouth as they can and still be able to say fluffy bunny without choking or spitting them out...it was H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S.

the winner!! I think he got 12 in his mouth

Playing at the park

S LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to swing!!

L was getting anything she could in her mouth! good thing we provided those water bottles

playing some sort of truck game-go figure


On the way home I got these shots (some better than others)...it was the LoNgEsT ride ever! L would NOT stop screaming...we tried everything...even marshmallows...I was willing to have a dirty carseat for a quiet child...it worked until the marshmallow was gone...she would NOT fall asleep...oh well, we'll figure something out, maybe for next time.

We had so much fun visiting with family, staying up late, and just having fun! Thanks guys!