Back To School

You would think that a mom with five kids would be THRILLED that school is finally back in, but I am rebelling because I am NOT! I am so sad. I always do this when school gets back in for at least the first week, and then I am okay. This doesn't mean by the way that I am a perfect mom or that I have perfect kids. It doesn't mean that when they are home everything is just wonderful 24/7. In fact things get a little crazy at times and I even feel I will lose my mind once in a while. Even still, I miss them because they are such important people in my life. I hope they have a positive experience this year. :) On a better note, I am excited to have some one on one with my sweet little Grace this year! She and I won't know what to do with ourselves!

The whole crew minus Grace...

The Soda Shop

Once in a great while I like to invite my kids to what I like to call "The Soda Shop." Why do I call it that??? I have no idea, because really what it is, is chocolate milk. But they love, love, LOVE when they get to go to the soda shop. I usually sit them all down at the bar, pull out the chocolate, cups and straws- which we only typically use when we go to the "soda shop." I especially like to do this once in a while after school, but today we did it because it's been months since we had chocolate milk. Grace LOVED it as you can see!!! I think she'll be a hard true fan of the soda shop just like the rest of them. :)

I thought considered the temperature was predicting 102 degree weather today, I would once again take all the kids to the beach. We spent about 3 hours there and it was a such a great day just being with my children. :) Halee

Austin

Connor

Christian

Grace

Mommy and Lou lou (grace's new nickname...)

Beach Making Memories

Okay, so I think our poor blog has gone dormant long enough! I never like to allow that much time to pass between posts, but my battery went dead on my camera, ugh! Now we're all ready to go again. :) There is one place in this world I can take my kids and no matter how much time passes (minutes, hours) they NEVER EVER want to leave! That would be the beach. They will just dig in the sand, swim, play, and dig some more. I'm sad that the good ol' Summer days are soon to be over.

Are these sweet boys really mine? Yes, and how lucky I am!

See???? They will literally dig like little puppy dogs. All they need is a little sand and they are good to go! ;)

I Love My Family!

This past weekend Chris and I were able to go visit my family. We were only going to be able to spend a few nights because of Chris' work but I talked my lovely husband into going home with two of the kids and letting me stay for the week. It was so fun and wonderful because my big sis was visiting all the way from Florida! She has two kids ages 17 and 13 and it was great to get to know them more. We don't get the chance to see them often so it was just GREAT! Here is a photo of my parents my siblings and our spouses....

This is my little brother David and his beautiful wife Krysta...
Grace LOVED having family around!

My little sister Gina wasn't able to come from Utah but I'm posting a pic of her anyway because we wished she was there!!

This is me with my lovely older sisters Joely and April. I can't even explain how much we laughed together during my stay. I love having sisters!

This is us with our oh so adorable niece Aliyah (David's daughter.)
Halee and Austin had so much fun with their Cousin Danielle. She is 3 years older than Halee but they were like best friends regardless!

My Nephew Chris became Grace's 2nd dad. For whatever reason she fell completely in love with him. He was so sweet with her too. It melted my heart.


Grace and Aliyah had so much fun together! I was sad to leave but Chris, Connor and Christian were so glad to have us home again! :)

Big Strong Men And An Oreo Thief...

If you know me very well, you know that (besides Chris) oreo's are the love of my life. I guess this must be an inherited trait because Grace went to the pantry all by herself today got the oreo's down from the shelf opened them and began to dig in. She was soooo ticked when I took them away. She kept saying "NO!!!" For some reason lately Austin and Connor are on a fitness kick. They get the radio, turn up Kelly Clarkson songs and lift weights. Here is Austin doing just that.

Connor is doing pull ups on the car. Whatever works I guess! They keep coming inside and showing me their growing muscles. Yesterday they said "Mom guess what?! We grew a whole inch!!"

Snips and snails and puppy dog tails....

One reason why I love my boys like I do, is because Chris has helped mold them into good boys that I think will be great men!! Chris is a great teacher because he uses positive reinforcement to teach them to work to do what's right, and to carry on the legacy of the gospel. He teaches them about the scriptures, and I'm so thankful to him for being such an asset and huge part of their lives!

Okay, so I am going to tell you why I love my boys. Honestly I have to say there is a bond I have found with my boys that is so strong sometimes it hurts! I can't even handle how much I love them. They are so wonderful, and full of crazy surprises. I grew up with 3 sisters and one lonely brother, and so I didn't grow up around lots of boys, so having three has taught me so much about boys and how special they are. They are far more sensitive and caring then I ever would have realized. And I have also found that my boys ADORE me. That I am thankful for and hope and pray it lasts!!!! Connor and all of my boys actually LOVE to take care of and play with Grace. She is THEIR little baby. She knows it too! I love this sensitive side that they display. I think they will make excellent fathers.
They all share a room. Sometimes it drives me nuts at night with all the noise, but I think this has helped them to be great friends!!!

Ahhh...Christian. He's going through a little stage right now where he loves to pick, pick pick. Boys LOVE to pick on people (at least mine.) They are little teasers, but I guess that comes with the territory!
What's the deal with boys and garages???? Mine LIVE in it! Chris loves the garage too. It's something I don't quite understand, but oh well!!!!

My boys are such silly people too...obviously.


They love to climb anything and everything. I'm constantly saying "Get down before you kill yourself!!!" Luckily they are forgiving of my oh so often nagging ways. I think or at least hope that they know it's only because I love them and will forever cherish them!