Even the snow flakes are bigger in Texas

I've had an abundant fill of snow this week. Trying to get from Salt Lake to Cedar in a huge snowstorm and then back again made for an extra long trip. Then decorating the outside of a church in snow, I had more then my fair share. So to come home to Texas where it hasn't snowed in years with the weather threatening there was going to be a snow storm. I was sure it would of been like out last one. Flurries that came and went. Only it wasn't Flurries it was HUGE flakes and they came down like a true snow storm. Enough to make a snowman. The kids were in HEAVEN and had a blast freezing their little hands off having a snowball fight and building TWO snowmen. Even though I've had enough of it it was worth it to see them enjoy it. And I can't complain too much if it only snows every 25 years here. It's fun to see kids who have never seen snow walk around in amazement. You have to admit snow is beautiful I just wish is wasn't so COLD!!!

A action packed weekend.

Thursday as I was heading to the airport to go to Utah I saw this.




Yes even if you have no fear of flying this is something you don't want to see just before you get on a plane. I'm not a huge fan of flying so needless to say I was really hesitant on boarding the plane. With very little information on what happened. While I was at the airport waiting for the plane all the flight attendants were watching this on the news shaking their head. It was a pretty quite flight to say the least. The plane crashed right next to the building that Ryan works at. I was so grateful he wasn't there that day or I would of really been in a panic. We could see the flames as we were driving to the airport it was pretty freaky.


When I arrived I was so happy to get out of the airport and spend some time with family I haven't seen in years. Dustin my brother in law picked me up from the airport with his darling little girl Natalie. She is just the sweetest thing ever. And wanting to be a fun aunt I got them some cute hair bows and fun princess and design crafts to do. It was so good to stay with Cheryl and Dustin and play with my nieces and nephew. We stayed up way to late just chatting about life. It was such a fun evening.

I didn't get one picture of them what was I thinking? I wish I could of spent more time with them.

Early the next morning my Brother Shon and his wife Cindy picked me up to take me to Cedar. It SNOWED the whole way so we had to drive so slowly. We ended up stopping in Beaver to get fresh cheese for my Dad and ate ice cream for breakfast. WE are all so much alike. It's freezing outside at about 10:00 in the morning and all we wanted was ice cream. Finally we got to my parents house around 11:30 and got to work helping my Sister make wedding decorations. Ann came up with Dallin and it was good to set and chat with them.

Saturday we woke up early (it's still snowing) and headed to the church to decorate. Me being brilliant forgot to pack grubby clothes so I got to decorate in my pj's. Not one of my greatest moments. Finally we were done about 4:30 so I scarfed down some food and had been asked to fix my Sisters hair and Ann's hair. So I put my sisters 80's curlers in my hair dashing back and forth from Fiddlers to my parents house. But again I was so glad to have those few mins with Ann. She's such a beautiful girl and really like my daughter so it was so fun helping her get ready.

My sweet Niece Hanna got into the cupcakes. She wasn't the only one who's face looked like this. (uncle Mike) SO FUNNY!!!!


The wedding was beautiful and so was the bride. I shouldn't of used the curlers because I looked like Goldilocks with a bad perm. I couldn't tame the wild curls as I didn't have time to get myself ready. But that's ok the day wasn't about me. I was so happy to hold my great Nephew Landon the whole wedding he's such a sweet baby. And Holly was nice enough to let me steal him.

Dallin sang a cute song to his new wife Ann. My favorite part of the reception. I also love Cason her brothers face in the picture.


Ann and her siblings.


My sisters and I with the bride. Don't you love the cute slip too:).


My Mom's Sister and Brother with their spouses with my siblings. This was the funny table to be at. They all crack me up.




I left early and meet my great friends at the pub. I have such amazing friends that always come and see me when I come. It meant the world to me. I introduced them to my lip plumper and we had a great time making our lips fat and laughing the night away. Again I stayed up past 1:00 that night just chatting with family. Brandon and Jessie my other Nephew and his wife stayed at my Mom's because it was showing so hard so I got to play with my great Nephew Quade who is Gavins age for a while. He's so cute.

My besties. Ok I look large and in charge. Sorry for the bad picture girls. Especially ME. OH my I need to go on a real diet.


We got up early again because it was snowing and headed back to Salt Lake. Luckily we had a little time and stopped to see my Brother Mike and his sweet family. I was so happy to get to stop as he was the only one I didn't get to see while I was there. So it was fun to see all my siblings nieces and nephews and best friends all in one trip.

I was happy to get home and I felt so loved as the boys and Ryan greeted me with such excitement.

It was also so cute yesterday I asked Ryan what he wanted for dinner and his response was. "I don't care as long as I don't have to cook it." I think he realized all that I do and great a greater appreciation for me.

Congrats to the happy couple Ann and Dallin. I'm so glad I got to share your day with you.

A valentines day surprise

It's been a Tough busy busy week. So Saturday while the kids went to a b-day party I went and got my hair done. To my surprise when I came home this is what I found. Apparently it was all Trevor's idea and he did all the decorating and had chocolate covered Strawberries for me. He told Ryan that it's time I feel loved and am always doing things like this for them. And we need to do more things for Mom. Wow was I blown AWAY!!!! Trevor and I are like Oil and Water and butt heads ALOT!!! But he's done a complete 180. I've never felt so loved. I'm so blessed to have such amazing kids I adore them all so much. This was by far the best valentines day gift ever. It came from the heart and it brought me to tears.

How I love Trevor. This will be something I'll keep with me forever. Thanks again and Happy Valentines day boys. I love you so much.

Valentines cookies.

Nothing says Valentines more to me then super yummy sugar cookies. I love soft melt in your mouth cookies loaded with icing. The boys had a great time decorating them this year. Sprinkles were everywhere. But the smiles were worth the clean up.



It's so funny how all three of my boys are so different in the way they do things.
Trevor was a plop the icing on dump as many sprinkles that can fit and cram it down as fast as you can.



Josh took about 10 mins spreading the icing and then placed the sprinkles on one by one making sure they were all even and looked good. Then slowly took bites and showed me each time the new shape of his heart cookie.


Gavin was just so excited I gave him a butter knife and let him spread the icing just like his brothers. Then he shook the sprinkles till there were no more in the container. Picked up the cookie licked off the icing and threw away the cookie.

Ya he's my kid that doesn't eat. He's the pickiest eater I've ever seen.

But they all were happy and I love this tradition. And I have 70 zillion cookie left to eat the next few weeks. Ya for me. I'm doing so good on my diet. (NOT)

My new favorite drink.

For years I've been addicted to Diet coke with Lime. I've been trying to break that addiction knowing it's not at all healthy. I come from a LONG line of diet coke drinkers. And somehow I never really drank it until I married Ryan. (bad influence) And I got hooked. So slowly I'm trying to replace it with something else.

My friend Stacey who is my Diet coke friend :) introduced me to this great drink.

I think I found my replacement. I love this drink it's so good. Only problem if you love it too much you'll have a bit of a problem. (I never realized how much pop I drank.) So only drink one or two a day. Take it from me and don't learn the hard way :)!!!!



I know I know TMI.!!!! But try the drink Cherry pomegranate is my very Favorite. But the citrus and kiwi are also really good. Just really sweet.

Watchdog 2010.

Today is the 100th day of school. Joshua gets to be the leader in his class, Trevor has a huge paper to write, (poor Trevor always gets the bum deal.) It is POURING down rain and freezing. And Ryan got to be the watch dog at the kids school. Josh got up 700 times last night with so much anticipation for the day. He's going to be so tired by lunch. Ryan had to do interviews for church yesterday and didn't get done until 9:00. We stupidly stayed up to watch Lost. The only show we really watch together. Both Ryan and I were completely exhausted trying to follow along what the heck was happening so needless to say today we are so tired today. So it will be interesting to say the least of how the day goes. But the smiles on these boys faces were priceless and worth the exhaustion.
I love our school and that Ryan is able to go and help out today. I spent all day at the school yesterday stuffing folders and helping out in the class. Gavin drew with RED marker all over the teacher poster while I was cleaning up his water mess. It was delightful. The teacher was so sweet and was so cute with Gavin telling me he's welcome any time. The boys teachers are the best. I'm excited for when he is in school and I can help more in the boys classes. I really enjoy being there for them.
And so does Ryan so this Watchdog program is a great way for him to be a part of it too.


Gavin thought we were singing Happy Birthday to someone so he wanted in the picture and started singing. He's so funny. Good thing he has his little play date today or he would of lost it. Knowing he couldn't go to school too.

Goodnight Sweetie.

Isn't this just the sweetest picture? I love seeing my kids asleep. They are so angelic. All the crazy things they did that day that made me want to pull my hair out gets forgotten and forgiven in this peaceful state. This is one of my all time favorite books.
I'm very guilty at sneaking into my kids rooms at night. Kissing them on the forehead and making sure they are tucked in just right and always whisper that I love them as I leave the room.


The other night while I was putting Gavin down to bed doing our LONG bed routine of reading stories, Usually the same one over and over. Singing a song, saying a prayer, and then having to be tucked in just right. I gave him a kiss and he said "Good night Momma." and I said "good night sweetie." He then sat up and said " No Momma Gavin said Good night Momma, Momma say Goodnight Gavin." So then he wanted me to re tuck him in give him a kiss and start the good nights all over again. This time I said "goodnight Gavin." To which he replied "That's it your right good job Momma." And snuggled right down to go to sleep. It made me laugh he's so particular and very routine oriented. He's such a cute kid. I love being a Mom so much.

Pinewood Derby 2010

Trevor won the award for (Hottest car) His Truck came in 5th place. It was some stiff competition. In the end I think Ryan was more disappointed as he babied this car. Ordered special wheels and even baked the thing. Pretty funny stuff.


Nice uniform. Trevor decided on the way there to pick off all his buttons. It was a GREAT start to a crazy night.

Ryan made a Truck for Josh as well.It broke his heart he didn't get to be in the race too. He kept saying "Two more years Mom just two more years". But he was a really good sport about it. And when they let the brothers race the cars in the end he was 1st in line. He even got to Race Trevor a few times which made his day.

We let Gavin take Trevor's old car and he got to race a little but had a hard time understanding the track wasn't just his so we spent most of the night with him in tears. Poor little guy it's tough being three.






Maybe next year Ryan will order the pro-wheels and do more crazy stuff to the car. He has 3 boys with lots of derby time so eventually one day one will win. (I hope!!)

4th grade science project

Trevor is brilliant. (he's just like his Dad) This project made us all cry. And not the good tears. I'm sooooooooooooooooooooo glad it's DONE!!!!! I'm also one proud Mom. Good job Trevor.

Girl Hormones.

So I was looking at pictures of the horrible earth quake in Haiti and read this article.
I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I began to sob. The boys were upstairs playing and Josh came downstairs to get a snack. I didn't want him to see the pictures of the people crushed in the rubble that I was looking at so I hurried and turned off the computer but I still had tears in my eyes. He came up to me and gave me a HUGE hug then said. "Don't worry mom it's just those girl hormones you'll feel better tomorrow." I have no clue who told him about GIRL HORMONES. And usually that statement would make me a little irritated but it was something I needed in that moment and couldn't stop laughing. He's such a character.

On another note my heart is breaking for all the people in Haiti. I would so desperately love to adopt a child that didn't have a family. If only it was the right time for us. I find myself on my knees a little more the last few days. Thanking our loving heavenly father for his mercy and love. Praying for the survivors to find peace. It helps knowing the innocent people that suffered are in a better place. But the devastation of losing someone is more then I can bare to think of. I hold my family tight and pray alot for safety and strength to survive this world. It's getting scarier and scarier every time I turn on the news.

A fun blog.

One of my new favorite blogs to stalk.

Kangaroo

The picture of her and Dallin I stole from her face book. I need an announcment picture RUE.

I love this picture. She was such a tom boy and so I was shocked to see her in jewlery. Isn't she beautiful.

Holding Baby Joshua in the hospital.

Where ever Ann was there was Trevor. He loves being with her.

Learning not to trust Ryan. When he tells them they wont get wet going under a water fall. Um they got DRENCHED!!!!

Drying off while people watching down town Seattle.

Always a comfort to Trevor. When he was hurt he ran to her.

My little niece Ruthann is getting married. Growing up I always called her Rue. My kids turned that into Kangaroo. They adore Rue. She is so cute with them. When I had Trevor she came to Seattle and helped me. It was such a great experience that I had her back when I had Josh. Poor girl I'm sure that experience frightened her away from having kids for a while. I was so sad she couldn't come with Gavin because that was by far the hardest one to recover from. Ann is the closet to a daughter I'll have. I love that she was my Ginni pig for me alot when I went to cosmetology school, and that she would always come up and see me when I come to visit. I miss her tons and I'm so excited to go to the wedding. It kills me that I've never met Dallin as I'm very protective of her maybe that's a good thing I haven't met him.
I haven't been to Utah for so long. It killed me that I couldn't go to Whitney's wedding and I still haven't met Darrick and now she's having a baby. I'm so happy that I can go to Ann's wedding. I may have to go alone which stinks and it will be a SHORT trip but at least I'll get to be there for her like she was for me.
Maybe I can convince them to come and spend some time with us in Texas. I know you love Seattle Ann but I promice you'll love Texas too :)!!!! (HINT HINT)

Congrats Ann. I love you so much. C-ya in February.

2010 here we come.

Life is crazy busy as usual. My new 2010 goal is to slow it down a little and try to do something I enjoy. Like blogging more. OK I do update more then ALOT of you slackers but this right now is my only outlet. I don't talk on the phone (I'm so sorry.) I don't text, and well I've been a slacker about responding to e-mails.
I do check my facebook every now and then. But it's left me to not blog as much. Unfortunately this is my only journal and I have such a hard time remembering things so I need to be more diligent so my little Monkeys can remember and know why I have grey stripes in my hair :).

I can't believe it's 2010. My kids are growing so fast and I'm getting so OLD. This year I'll be 35 I can't believe it. Ok it's not for 11 months but I'm already dreading my b-day. I can feel another grey stripe heading my way. Trevor will be 10 and I no longer have a child in Nursery. (still can get my emotions around that one.) And my Joshua grew 2 inches. I can't believe it. He'll be the same age Trevor was when me moved here. I want him to stay small forever he's such a delight.

I wanted to remember a few things the boys said this last week that made me smile.

Trevor was being a REAL stinker. So after the (anger management) that's what we call his time out. He needs to take sometime to manage his anger and then come talk to me. I said to him. "I hope some day you'll have a kid like you so you'll understand why I get so frustrated." He then said "THAT'S THE MEANEST THING YOU HAVE EVER SAID TO ME." I guess that comment really struck a nerve because he has been stepping up and being such a obedient child. I love it. We have been working hard on his Science project and he's doing so well in school. He's such a great kid. Just a little too curious and likes to see how far he can push peoples buttons until they crack. I sure pray alot that he can use his talents for good. He would make the BEST lawyer. He can convince people of things like I've never seen before.

Joshua gave a complete stranger some free advice today. Gavin was talking to this man when the man asked him how old he was. Gavin's answer is always One W. Which is three fingers. Pretty creative if you ask me. And Gavin said to the man that his Mom was alot of W's. So Josh piped in and offered his advice. He said. "there are two things your never ask a women, 1. how old they are and 2. how much they weigh. Because they get really grumpy. I guess he learned this lesson a few times. As I have had to tell him it's impolite to ask girls how much the weigh. Why he said Women is beyond me he's never said that before but that is what make him so funny he's just so random like that. I never ever know what hes going to say.
He got this little Alvin and the Chipmunk toy at McDonald's and decided he was going to put it in his pocket push the button and pretend it's him saying what Alvin said. I got a cute e-mail from his teacher today saying how much Josh made her laugh. Alvin said "hello gorgeous." So he walks into the classroom tugs on his teachers pants pushes the button and mouths. "hello gorgeous." Then sat down without saying anything else. She just laughed and laughed. The funny thing Josh has no idea what gorgeous means.

Gavin is still my shadow and doesn't let me accomplish very much. When I leave he cries and cries. It tugs at my heart strings so badly that I have such a hard time leaving him. Today he just sat in my lap with a bunch of books and we read for 3 hrs. Gavin never ever sits still that long and granted we read the same book 7,000 times but it was so delightful just to relax and spend quality time with my son who's growing up WAY TO FAST. I love his little voice and his sweet disposition.
He's a ham and loves loves attention. And has his big brother Josh wrapped around his little finger. I should say for the most part he's got us all wrapped around his little finger. Josh just dotes on him like crazy. I got him a marble roller coaster to help potty train him. He loves loves loves marble towers. So every time he would go potty the plan was to give him a new marble to put on his tower. The only problem was Josh thought I was teasing him when he didn't want to go potty and would sneak the marbles and give it to him when he would cry. Sweet yes but ineffective for me. A big reason why he's still in diapers. Someday he will get this down maybe attempt #700 will be my lucky one.


Ryan found a bunch of gift cards he gave me in my wallet the other day and was so mad they have expired. I never get the time to go shopping. Ok I never take the time. But I'm a Mom with young kids. So he sent me out on Saturday. Sadly I only came home with two shirts for me and a bunch of clothes for the boys. But it was nice to get out for a while and not have to worry about a time limit of when I have to be done. Ryan is such an amazing man. He's so patient and kind. I love him so much and am so grateful to have him as my companion. He makes me want to be better and I couldn't ask for anything more.

I've kinda got lost in worrying so much about everyone else and everything else. That
I've neglected me. A hard hard lesson on giving is you can only give so much until your tank is empty. This year I've ran my tank down some. And I've been having a few heath issues. The good news is it has made me stop and think how I can improve my life and the life of my family.
I don't know how to find that balance as my kids are my life and will for ever be my life. It's such a blessing to be a Mom. I adore these little boys. But I know I'll be a better Mom with more paitents if I don't lose sight of who I am and have separate goals just for me.

So my 1st goal is to come up with a goal with in the next week :). There that's a good start right? Here's to a better year. One with health, strength and and a great family relationship. After all I do have the best boys in the world they deserve the best :)

Christmas 2009

Christmas just can't get any better.
I love being a Mom.