Pinewood Derby

This past January our ward had the annual Pinewood Derby. Even though Zack is the only one in cub scouts, Nate still got to make 2 cars. They've started the tradition of having the Activity Day girls also participate, since there are those fathers' out there without any boys, that REALLY want to make a car. I'll have to see if Nate has pictures on his phone later of the actual races, because this is the only picture I got of Rachel's car.

This is the reason I only got one picture, and why I didn't get to go see the races at all. Poor Seth was not feeling well that day. So Nate took the 5 oldest to the Derby, while I stayed home and rocked a sick little boy. Pretty fair trade if you ask me ;-)

Hannah's big day at Jr High

With Brady taking a CTE class (kind of like Home Ec when I was growing up), they had a day where they were asked to invite a preschool age child to come to their school so they could hold a mini-preschool. Hannah was all about this and was so excited to visit her brother at the big Jr High. When I asked B how Hannah did, he said something to the effect that she made all new friend (of course) and 'ate it up'! She is definitely our social child and loves making new friends.

I'm just sad that I didn't get a picture of them together, since Brady had to rush off back to class.

Kangaroo Zoo

We sure love going to this place, and man is it a great energy zapper for those long cold winter months. Either with the preschool or playtime toddler, we at least get to go once a year and play until our hearts content. And what is even better is that there are no older kids running around and so little ones just toddle, slide and jump to their hearts content.

Oops!

I forgot to add Hannah's picture in of her Valentines Box that she made at playgroup toddler. (This is where we got the idea for Jace's) Sure love that girl!

Valentines 2012

I've tried to make a tradition of having Valentines Fondue every year since we got a fondue pot. My kids love it, but it is a TON of work. Thank goodness they are getting older and can help out more and more with the prep work. Nate was a little sad that we couldn't go out as a couple on Valentines, and I have to say I agree with him. So next year, we will have our fondue the night before Valentines (or for Sunday dinner or FHE that week) and then the kids can just have a heart shaped pizza.

Annie, Courtney's mom, asked Courtney if she wanted her to make a Valentines skirt for her this year. Of course Courtney said 'Yes' but she wanted to match someone. Since she doesn't have any sisters, Annie made Hannah a skirt too (along with a matching purse) for Valentines. Here is a picture of Hannah all ready for her Valentines Party in her cute skirt. (I'll post some pics of Hannah and Courtney when I retrieve them from the camera.)

Rachel and Jace ready for Valentines' Parties at school. It's funny what they want to design their box as every year. They don't always turn out as expected, and sometimes I have to tone it down on what they had envisioned, but usually the outcome it pretty good!

Projects

We love remodeling (cough...cough)! Actually it is a great experience. There is a ton to learn, and we can always let out our creativity, but man is it A LOT of work. We re-did the boys bathroom for the second time after the fridge flood and Nate did a fantastic job on the tile work. But we usually get 95% done and run out of steam. At least I do. And the last 5% is left up to me a lot of times and it takes me FOREVER to get to it. But after 6 months or so I finally finished painting the ceiling above the shower and grouting the small tiles where they meet the ceiling. The whole bathroom turned out awesome and it feels so good to finally have it done!

Mom the Babysitter

Somedays I really feel like I am just a babysitter for Seth. He'll go through phases where he totally wants me, but others when he just wants his dad. I guess this is good for both of our self esteems'. These pictures were taken on a day when Seth really wanted to go with Nate to work. He got his Elmo book and had packed it in a lunch box and was ready to head out. All I can say is THANK GOODNESS for dead bolts!

Baby Trey

On December 31, 2011, my sister Ashlee and her husband Brandon were blessed with a little boy Trey who was just a mere 11 days early. (Hannah loves the fact that she shares her birthday with him.) He is such a smiley and cute little guy, and when she went back to work this spring (just so she could receive her full maternity benefits) we had the chance to babysit him a couple of times to help her out. You forget how much care an infant requires until you jump in all at once. On a side note, many people have always said what a patient person I am with my kids...and now I know why ;-) I never had kids REALLY close together. I didn't get anything done around the house when Trey was here, because I just wanted to hold him, which left Seth to destroy everything in his path. We really did have a fun time with him, but it is good that Ashlee gets to stay at home and be a full time momma to Trey, and we get to see him every Friday for cousin lunch.

Party in Indianola

This past February, my oldest sister, Chalise, turned the big 40! (So glad she is the first one to embrace these mile stones before the rest of us.) Anyhoo...she and Kyle decided to have a HUGE party down at a ginormous cabin in Indianola (Sanpete County) to celebrate her birthday and also hold a Hee Haw's Party like in years past. Since it was President's Day Weekend all the teenagers from Hee Haw's spent Friday night there and then all of the Smith's and Broadhead's came down for Saturday and Sunday night. This place is HUGE and pretty much every couple gets their own room to sleep in and the kids all sleep in the Great Rooms. I didn't get many pictures, but we had a ball and loved hanging out, eating yummy food, playing cards and games and watching movies.

This is a picture of where I put Seth to sleep because he needs that enclosure to feel like he is in a crib. He still ended up in mine and Nate's bed, but this did help him settle down for the night.

Leap Year 2012

This Leap year we had play group at our house...and I was racking my brain of what I could do with 9, 4 year olds. I remember my mom making these pistacio nut friends when I was growing up, and I decided they would make good Leap Buddies (since they sort of look like frogs) for Leap Day. We also played the game...'Don't Eat Pete' where they get to eat treats on numbered squares until they try to eat the 'one' that has been chosen and we yell out 'Don't Eat Pete'. It was a fun play group day.

Elmo Mania

Grammee found this cute Elmo Mohawk hat and glove set. He was totally attached to it for about 3 days. And we just let him wear it non-stop, because he looked so cute all the time.

Bathtime Fun

Well we've come to that time of year again, when baths are needed daily after playing outside all day. All the kids usually bicker on who gets to bath with Seth...we may start a rotating chart!

St. Patty's Day 2012

I like to try and make the day special for my kiddos in some way. (Even though we don't have a lick of Irish blood in us.) I decided to make a fruit rainbow, with whipped topping to dip, and gold chocolate coins as a treat. And you can't forget the green Mac 'N Cheese...that only a kid could stomach to eat.

Teasing of the Weather

This picture was taken March 31, 2012. And it was 80 degrees outside...oh what a tease it was this past winter. Playing in the parks in January...running through the sprinklers in March (and yes we ran through the sprinklers that day)...it never lasts, but we enjoyed it while it was here!

Never Enough

Because you can never have enough pictures of them falling asleep while eating. But my favorites are the video when he is actually 'sleep eating'!

Seth's Favorite Thing(s)

I have a feeling I'm going to be posting a lot about his favorite things...so here is just one of them. Seth LOVES-LOVES-LOVES our backyard. He either wants to be outside playing and getting into everything or watching Elmo. Those are the two choices he gives us to make him happy. Of course letting him outside occupies him for hours, but on bad weather days...sometimes there is only the Elmo option. When he is toddling around out there, it is so fun to just sit back and watch him explore. He is always carrying around a stick. And the older boys even taught him to say 'Hi-ya', while swinging it like a sword. We are trying to get him to remember to drop whatever stick he's yielding before he comes in the house, but he doesn't always remember. In fact there have been a few times when he is dragging, yes dragging, a branch that is 3x's his size inside the house to safe keeping.

Boston Baby!

At the beginning of April, 2012, Nate and I went on a trip with our good friends' the Claysons' to Boston, MA. One of the main reasons we were going was because, Annie, was running in the Boston marathon. We went for six days, and had a super fun time. Sight-seeing, yummy food, and forgetting about our daily cares was just what we needed. Here are some pictures from our trip:

"The one place in Boston where you can sit and drink a cold Sam Adams, while looking at cold Sam Adams" -Our Tour Guide.

Nate at the headstone of Sam Adams, one of our Founding Fathers.

The two oldest buildings in Boston...still standing...right off Spring Street.

Of course our tour guide had to wear a British Red Coat. He was a character, but made the tour AWESOME!

Nate and the memorial for Paul Revere.

Nate, Annie, and I went on a sweet run through Cambridge to Harvard Square. I don't think we even scratched the surface on what there was to see there. But it was a great run. (Not as much 'fun' as mine and Annie's 8 mile run the day before in down-town Boston, where we got COMPLETELY lost. Thank goodness for GPS on the iPhone!)

The Boston Temple.

Brett not really wanting to get his picture taken...HA!...Too Bad!

Nate and I at the Boston Temple. Very beautiful inside.

Annie picking up her race packet at the Fitness Expo...it was great to meet people from all over the world that had come to Boston, just to run in the race.

Nate just before entering Fenway Park. What a show they put on!

RedSox Game...what a blast! I'll never hear 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond the same. And I can HONESTLY say the best hot dog I ever ate...aka...a Fenway Frank!

The building, 585, behind Brett and Nate is where Mitt Romney's Headquarters are. We felt we needed a picture.

One of the many harbors in Boston.

Warship from WWII, in a dry dock at Old Ironsides.

Brett and Annie...such good friends!

Old Ironsides...the oldest warship still standing (floating). It was used in the Revolutionary War.

Nate and Sara, love this man for putting up with my crazy ideas!

Cannoli, need I say more? If you go to Boston, you must visit the North End where there are endless Italian places with THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD! Yummy...yummy! We first tried Modern Pastry (after our tour guide said it was the best for fresh) for cannoli...it was good, but the shell was a little thick. Then we went to the infamous Mike's Pastry....YEAH....now I can see why they have made a name for themselves. Absolutely Amazing!

Love that Smell

There is nothing like the smell of Lilacs in the spring. Luckily our yard is filled with them. We smell them every chance we get...taking out the garbage, picking up the mail, whatever! My neighbors probably think I'm a little obsessed, but seriously it is one of my favorite smells. My kiddos love them too...at least the 2 little ones do, and they are usually with me smelling away at the perfect purple blossoms!

Zack's Arrow of Light

Zack turned 11 at the beginning of April, but had to wait until the end of April's Pack Meeting to receive his Arrow of Light. He worked so hard, especially those last couple of weeks, so that he would be able to get the Super Achiever Award and earn all 20 Activity Pins for Webelos. Way to go Zack!

Pretty Girl

I love love LOVE this time of year, and I am always meaning to get better pics of the springtime flowers with my kiddos in tow. But alas this is the only one I got with Hannah at her Uncle Jeffery's UVU Graduation party.