Sunday Pictures....

Just some pics I took today after church....

I've Been Thinking....

Last week Ladd had a call from someone based down in Ft. Lewis who was hit by a IED blast that left him a paraplegic. He wanted to know if Ladd could help him or if he knew of someone closer to him that could.

I have been thinking about this man. What he has done/served/sacrificed/lost for our country. I have never talked to someone who has served in this war or who has lost someone from this war, etc. However, I have been really sad after hearing about this man.

No matter what your opinion is about this war....and believe me, I have some very strong opinions against it(and President Bush for that matter, but I wont go into that)--I am grateful for these men and women, their spouses, children, mothers, fathers, siblings who love them and support them and for the daily risk they take of losing their lives!!!! I am grateful for the sacrifice they have made and continue to make everyday.

I hope that everyone takes a moment every day and thinks of them and prays for them!

Just my thought for the day!

"A Boy's Windowsill"

Miles came to me the other night when he was already suppose to be asleep for an hour and said, "Mom, come see my windowsill...its a boys windowsill!" Thought I would share.

Back yard Friend?

Thought I would post our little back yard friend. He is usually with a baby and another full size one. He did come right up to our sliding door today, but didnt get my camera out in time....

Busy Week!

This was a crazy busy week with school ending and I am glad its Friday. Lauren had her end of the year Gymnastic/Ballet/Tap show on Wednesday. Parents could go into the gym and be up close and take pictures. Before her show, she had her end of the year picnic with all the 1st grade classes at the park. Thursday was the last day of school and we ended the day at Chuck E Cheese with some other familes from our church. It was lots of fun and I kicked Ladds behind at the "shooting basketballs" game. Here are some pics of our week...

Oh yeah...And its finally warm here. up to 75 today...even a little too hot for my liking. But its about time and I am not about to complain because I dont want to get zapped with more rain. I will have to get out and take some more pics of the beautiful area we live in to remind me of why we live here when it starts raining again.

Her 1st grade teacher Miss Smith who she thinks she will never get over not having as her teacher again....

At Chuck E Cheese

Me winning at the bball shooting...

With one of her "best friends" Ellie

Lauren with some of her friends....

Our Monkey....

We were at the park today for Laurens end of the year picnic party (along with 7 other 1st grade classes and their siblings and parents....I think their was about 400 kids there, and it was insane). Miles kept asking me if he could take his shoes and socks off, I kept saying "no", he kept asking, and finally I said "why", he said "because, its a surprise, you will see". I said "fine, but dont come crying to me if you get splinters in your feet" and went about my business of talking to some friends. The next thing I knew, he was screaming for me to "HURRY AND TAKE HIS PICTURE". I originally couldnt find him until I looked up......

This isnt a short swing set.....

Climbing up it again....

Sliding down....

I am lovin this camera!!!

Just got back from the park with the kids. I have learned to haul this camera with me everywhere and glad I did today. I am slowly learning how to use it. Here are some pics from the park....

Father's Day

Happy Fathers Day to all!

Father's Day is an emotional one for me now that my own father has passed away. I miss being able to call him up on the phone and wish him a Happy Fathers Day(or call him at all). I am grateful for the example of great strength and faith he is to me. My dad is one of the most righteous men I know and I am grateful to blessed with him. I love him dearly and I look forward to the day I will see him again.

On another note.....I am grateful that my own kids have a wonderful father in their lives. How blessed they are to have a father who loves them and plays with them(I am reminded of last week when I left for our RS womens retreat and Ladd was swinging Miles on a rope 4 ft off the ground over some chairs while Miles was laughing his head off--this was the same day Miles cut his finger) and is an example to them.

Thank you Ladd for working so hard to make it possible so I can be home with our kids. Thank you for loving our kids the way you do and for being an amazing father! Our kids love you to death and will do anything to spend as much time as possible with you and that says a lot!!!!

Happy Fathers day to all you Fathers out there (not that any guys read my blog anyways)

Sheri Dews talk at BYU Women's Conference

I have heard a lot about this talk that Sheri Dew gave at Women's Conference last month. People have said that is was very powerful and amazing. I found the transcript of it tonight and found it to be just that and more. What an amazing person she is and what strength she brings to all when she speaks.

This talk has made me want to be better and and try harder and has given me much strength. If you get a chance, go read it. Here is the link!

http://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/archive/2008/pdf/SheriDew-2008.pdf

The Park today....

We went to this great park today with Matt and Alisha. The kids had a great time playing while we played with our cameras. It was fun playing by the water and on this little island with "secret hiding places". We also saw 9 turtles hanging out on some logs on the water....

Isabelle wanted to "hold me"

(This is what she says when she wants to cuddle)

Isabelle asking to "hold me"

Our boy!

Isabelle stripping down after falling in the water



4 of the turtles

Playing in the water

A few more....

Isabelle making her Father's Day Card...

It came!

I just got my camera....Here are some pics I just took. Now I have no idea how to use this thing, but I am excited to learn!!!! I need to go read my books now!

Today....

We had a fun day today. I took the kids to Kelsey Creek Farm in Bellevue with my friend Tina who I met at a homeschool group back when I was homeschooling Lauren. It is this cute little farm with horses, a HUGE pig to big to get up, Goats, A cow and its calf, bunnies, chickens, roosters, sheep and a beautiful flower garden. We had a lot of fun and were lucky enough to have a horse walk by us who was being taken back to the pasture, the worker was kind enough to stop and let us pet the horse.

It was actually decent weather today....It was a nice change from this crazy weather people have been calling June-uary wather. It is suppose to stay nice for a few days and I no longer want to move out of this beautiful state. (that may change in a few weeks if it starts raining again).

We ended the day with a trip to the Dr's office. Lauren stayed home from school today, I thought she was faking being sick because she wanted to go with us to the Farm and was running around after I said she could stay home. I almost didnt go to the farm but when she started acting normal, I decided she was faking and dang it, we were going to get out and enjoy the sunshine!!!! By the time we got home, she was literally screaming because her throat was hurting so much. I thought she just had the sore throat I had last week, but took her in anyways and glad I did, she had strep throat....I would have felt awful if I didnt. She is doped up on some ibuprophen and antibiotics and back to her happy self!

Here are some pics.......

Maddie, Georgia, Lauren, Isabelle, Ava and Miles on the "pig bench"

Had to show a pic of the barn for my mom....

Isabelle and the lamb

I love this pic, had to put it in!

Isabelle loved this chicken

Lauren and Georgia

Ladd, Miles and Isabelle enjoyed the sunshine after work today!

Miles saved up his money and was finally able to buy this scooter yesterday.....here he is in action!

Strawberry Milk

This is one of my kids favorites and thought I would share....

It doesnt even have any sugar in it and it is healthy and my kids beg for it....

2 Cups water
1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
6-8 pitted dates
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
1/8 tsp salt
3/4 cups raw cashews

Put all ingredients in blender and blend on high for a 3 minutes or until creamy.

I love this because it tastes yummy, get some nutrients from the dates and strawberries and protein from the cashews. (by the way, I hate cashews)

If you try it, let me know what you think!

Its About Time!

We finally celebrated Isabelles 2nd birthday last week(her b-day is May 3...yes I know we are serious slackers). I made her a cake and we opened a few presents. She was very excited when I told her we would be singing Happy Birthday to her and having her cake. She ran around the house singing "Hapty Bithday to Ibelle" all day. (thats how she says her name)

The funniest part was when she was opening her presents and Lauren and Miles were very excited for her and surrounding her trying to help her open them. She stopped what she was doing, turned around and said to Miles in a very loud stern voice "BACK OFF MILES!"

We are so grateful to have her apart of our family. She is like opening a present every morning when she wakes up and is as happy, bright and joyful as can be. She loves to sing songs and read books and loves her family! Here are a few pics....

She kept eating the whipping cream before we even sang to her.....

I am still trying to figure out why she was wearing a white dress eating chocolate cake....

Blowing out her candles......