Water Babies

Yesterday we played all afternoon in the hot sun and enjoyed ourselves. After the hottness wore off we decided to cool down in the man made puddle along the side patio...boy did the kids have fun, especially little Tinkerbell. She LOVED the freedom she got her first time stomping through the puddles!

The joy and giggles were so fun to hear from all of them! It wore them out so well, they went right to sleep when the time came!

What we've done this month...

...sorry this is long, but there are some fun pictures to see, if nothing else.

We have had a lot of fun as a family this month and I've just realized that I've only admired the pictures on the camera and haven't downloaded them!! Well, now I can share :)

The kids and I took a week long vacation to Boise to visit my family and had a great time in a few days of rain and lots of sunshine (all the while it was cold and rainy at home).

learning to jump rope, or at least get his feet over the rope

playing crazy snake

just enjoying the fun of others while savoring the only sucker at grandma's...spoiled rotten!

Grandma and Tinkerbell

the air they got was fabulous...if only I could've gotten the laughter recorded, it was great!

Tinkerbell and Grandpa became best buds over the week, she was proud to be one of the kids instead of a baby while on the swings!

Mermaid was having some serious chocolate withdrawls, so when the brownies were done being mixed she just HAD to lick some chocolate!! She was in heaven!

Enjoying a cold hot dog...the next picture tells the story

see the hole?? well, while at the store I discovered that I had a coupon for free hotdogs and since we were doing a bonfire soon we needed to get some...we popped this package in the cart and Tinkerbell would NOT let it go, to any expense. The next thing I know she has popped a hole in it from trying to eat it through the package. At the register she screamed as if she were giving a two-year tantrum! My mom and I couldn't stop laughing. We got her calmed enough to drive home and once there she noticed the package on the counter and proceeded to throw another two-year tantrum until we just opened the package and gave her a stinkin' dog...she ate the ENTIRE thing! too funny!

We came home incredibly late on a Friday night. Luckily my parents needed to be in Pocatello for the weekend, so we caravaned most of the way home. Tinkerbell was not at all interested in being good during the drive, so while the other three slept, she screamed and laughed at grandma who was dancing and making silly faces to try and get her to sleep...it didn't work. We made it, but if my mom hadn't been with us we would've taken 3-4 extra hours to get home just because of Tinkerbell's attitude!!

The next morning we were to be in Pocatello with my parents, helping my brother put his sprinkler system in, it POURED the entire time we were there; we were not smart and left all jackets, sweatshirts, and anything warm at home. We left early so we could get some things done at home before Father's Day. This is the only picture I got of that day...the kids saying goodbye.

sportin' their dude rags because of wet hair

We had a great Father's Day and no pictures...I'll have to get those from my sister-in-law and mother-in-law...they took lots! We had a fabulous BBQ, until we ran out of propane...that's what we get for not preparing very well. Had an enormous rain storm and just chatted and laughed for a few hours enjoying the family that could come! Tinkerbell was smitten over her new baby cousin, she couldn't give enough kisses and hugs to him, it was adorable!

I took one off of their blog, hope you don't mind Danielle...she is so full of baby love!!

Now that we've been home a few weeks, we've just been enjoying ourselves and becoming more and more amazed at the abilities of our children!

she wanted an apple and NOW! no cutting it, she ate over half of it, seeds and all ;)

We recently went to visit Grandmother and found she was off playing cards already, so we took some time to have "target" practice in the back stable area. Mermaid is quite impressive with her aim and understanding of the machine!

Shrek giving a "demonstration"

Prince Charming actually hit the target after taking advice from Shrek

Cinderella wanted to be a part of the action, but really was quite nervous with the contraption and noise...not really her thing.

And then there's Mermaid (sorry about the bare belly, the shirt really does cover it)...she is a natural...she almost got on the target and was very interested in continuing the activity. When Shrek declared there were no more bullets to use, she instantly declared, "oh man, darn it"!

Tinkerbell in the dirt just content to see what the others were up to.

Finding all the shells after target practice

This was Tinkerbell's new friend for about 15 minutes, until she discovered the dirt really could go in her mouth and mom wasn't watching!!

While I was in Boise I couldn't help but go yard sale-ing...I just can't miss a weekend! I know lame, but I really enjoy it and I was SUPER proud of myself this day. My sister and I went to the Shade clothing sidewalk sale where everything was $5 and snagged a few good deals (there's another one in August, I can't wait!!) and then headed to the nearest neighborhood and found a few treasures!!

a brand new tent for....$10!! We had been looking at tents like this-we want so badly to go camping, but it's so expensive-this tent at the store cost over $200. It's an 8-man, two room tent and stands about 7 ft. in the middle, so Shrek actually fits!! He was very impressed. There are a few loops missing along the edges, but we will be just fine! I also got a canopy tarp for $5, we used in on Father's Day, but again, no pictures. Now all we need are some sleeping bags and some cooking utensils and we're set for our big family reunion, camp-style in August!

I think they like it! Prince Charming and Cinderella were playing some kind of I've-got-you-now game, ignore the leg tied up and the hold he has on her

The other day we ran to the grocery store and on the way home we saw this rolling in...the sunset colors were amazing with the storm clouds...I didn't catch it near as well as the naked eye, but it was breathtakingly beautiful!!!

Glidden FREE quart of paint

I just have to share. I requested for my free quart this morning and I should receive it within 3-4 weeks!! Click on this link and you will receive a FREE quart of Glidden Eggshell finish paint, you get to choose your color!! .
This is a limited time only. I do not know how long they are doing this promotion, but it only started yesterday! The sooner the better. Have fun choosing your color, how far does a quart of paint go anyway??

Lessons learned, part 2

Do you ever think you should be doing something more than you are? or teaching your children something you're not? or creating something you haven't? I have had a really fried brain these last few weeks-pretty much since school has been out. My daily rountine is all messed up and the ages of my children are such that there are times when we must be home for the little ones to nap while the older ones just want to continue playing all day and it really causes some serious noise and commotion! I cannot figure out what it is that I should be doing, you know that nagging feeling that there's just something you should complete, but you have no idea what it is??! (maybe it's just me).

Because of this, for some reason, I've had some serious personal reflection. How do I measure up? How can I improve? and on and on. After reading a friend's blog recently I was startled by how much it affected me and hence why I haven't posted...I am me and I should be proud of it, my circumstances are mine and I shouldn't compare them, my talents are mine and I shouldn't be afraid to share them, my blog is MY blog and I should use it how I intended. (lesson #1)

I have improved and learned and created talents and traits to help me be a better person. I have created this blog to share the aspects of my life that I feel like sharing, that I care about and that represent my family and me! I do not need to improve it or make it less personal for the sake of those that read it...I have a really hard time letting go of the fact that I need to "impress" others. (I do not take the "Jones'" approach on this, I just feel I must shine a little bit...maybe it's because it's nice to feel like you are worth more than the stigma of "stay-at-home-mom" society portrays-I don't know). (lesson #2)

Sometimes I feel like I have nothing "important" to post because I'm not creative with words or savvy with the technology at my fingertips. But I know that whatever I do during my day should be in helping my family-if I don't post for 1 week, 2 months or 1 year (although I don't think I could go that long :)) it's because I am raising my children to be strong members of the Church and positive examples in our society!!

I have recently found this quote and it's become a daily mantra of sorts (I've shared it once before):
"As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey."
-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

I still haven't figured out what "it" is that needs to be done in my life, but as least I've figured out some other things-yes it's probably taken me longer than the average person, but if feels good to know I've learned something.

Last night I hosted a girls' night of food and games/prizes and laughter. It was great to connect with friends and chat, but I noticed late into the night that I was a little more reserved than normal. I was deeply reflecting on if, how, and why I fit in-I don't go too over the top when it comes to these nights (my imagination can, but my budget can't). Food is what I enjoy planning, creating, and sharing-but would they like it?? Prizes for the games would be something that I love and something that I created by hand-with many, many flaws-would they be okay with that?? I was getting discouraged by the beauty of the women around me and the "things" they had in life that are apparantly missing in mine-all in comparison to myself. I went to bed still reflecting on these things and when I awoke I realized that although I may never be in the same economic standing, hold the same looks, or own the same things, I am still a daughter of God that can and will fit in.

I teach this to my children all the time, but somehow haven't applied it personally; we are individuals because we were created that way. We will never look, act, or be like someone else and it's O.K.!! (lesson #3) Although I felt discouraged because of "things" last night, I truly enjoyed myself and opening my home to women that I have shared years of memories with and truly admire and appreciate.

I know I have somewhat rattled on, for any of you that may have read the entire post, but I feel that I should share what is in my heart. I am grateful for the friends and family that care enough about me to show there love and support. I am grateful for a husband that provides for our family, despite the difficulties of the world. I am grateful mostly, for my knowledge and the ability I have to teach my children of those truths I hold dear of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Girls just wanna have fun...

Cinderella and Mermaid got a hold of the camera...this is what I found (most were taken by Cinderella)-she may just become a photographer...she's got eye for some interesting detail :)

Mermaid in her classic pose (always a tilted head)

Tinkerbell just woke up and Cinderella managed to get this through the crib posts!

shoes on a blanket are captivating!!

Prince Charming's new pet frog (his teacher gave it to him on the last day of school)

and my favorite saying these days..."Family the greatest gift I have ever received"

Romania??

My mother-in-law has spent some time recently in Romania and when she came home she decided to share some of the culture with us (as in food). It was so incredibly good! Fresh veggies and bread and fried and deliciously seasoned pork-all of it was great!! The kids keep pretending that everything we make is Romanian. Jake made pizza tonight and the kids dubbed it "Romanian pizza" (the sauce was different and they had an entire pizza gone before the next one came out of the oven)!!

where does the bread go??

delicious food and happy consumers!!

how is the food?? she sure enjoyed it!!

she loved being a princess, it's so fun to find your inner princess :D

she wanted to help with the dishes...then she couldn't figure out how to get off-it was pretty funny!!

Fun times

We've had some fun in the past few weeks visiting with family and just being together!


At the gardens, BYUI

I love when they don't know you're taking the picture!!

Mermaid wanted to push Tinkerbell, what a little mommy she is :)

Tinkerbell's true happiness grin!!

Mermaid just loves her dress (too bad there's a fire hydrant coming out of her head!!)

Mermaid (love the pig-tails)

Prince Charming-a REAL smile!!!

Tinkerbell taking her first ride on the tire swing...I think she likes it!!

Cinderella taking her turn

In deep thought...

Mermaid LOVES dirt...not necessarily fitting to the name, but she's in love with Ariel too :)

She is more and more independent everyday...she officially WALKS!!!! (when she's not lazy)

Prince Charming was so happy to be helping his grandmother he insisted on a picture...he was a great helper though

I just thought this look was Hi. lar. i. ous!! (the be-be gun is so tiny in his hands, it's pretty comical)

See anything different??

I went all "Jon and Kate" on you...I LOVE it! not quite the same (this is simialr to her first few episodes style), but feels sOOO much better...my hair was getting so gross (I have extremely thick hair and it was making me 10 degrees hotter than it was outside on any given day...okay for winter, but not now!)