Friday, February 25, 2011

pinkalicious!




This week has been reading appreciation week at Liv's school. Today they were able to dress up as a character in one of their favorite books. Naturally we have a lot of pink in our household so when she FINALLY decided to be Pinkalicious, I was thrilled! Is she not just a little cupcake doll? I just wanted to eat her up this morning.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

{a bit of gripes and a pinch of happiness}

Looking at the snow.....
my chocolates that never were..........
The "Sickos" pajama party in mom's room
The weekend did not turn out as expected............I am a little bumbed out. We had been planning on going to New Mexico for the long weekend and spend some time with my family (actually Tate had finally saved enough money to pay for the chicken coop he busted at my sister's and we were going so he could help grant fix it....little boys!!- insert a big sigh right here.) We had been looking forward to the change in scenery and I was excited to just get out of the house. Chad is with Shane hunting Sheep so I hate being left behind and usually try to find an adventure of sorts for us to embark on so I don't feel left behind. The plan was going forward as planned (i was even beginning the pre-packing routine until Livia, my tough- rarely gets sick kiddo, complained of a very soar throat. Thinking she would be fine I ignored the complaint. About this time my sister began to cal to say the weather was looking as if a snow storm would be gracing us with its presence- UHG! I still remained positive mind you.........but as the week drew to its end Livia began barking like a little seal. I got her into the doctor only to discover my poor little mite had a double ear infection, strep and just for a little bonus, pink eye in BOTH eyes. I asked her "Livia have your ears been hurting you?" she said, "yes, all week long." Are you kidding me? she never mentioned it once. I was stuck looking like a neglectful mother at the doctors office with needless to say a Very sick little bug. Then the snow came.............Lovey white flakes falling constantly........so the trip- my light at the end of the dark tunnel- was canceled. Last night I got the kids settled with some popcorn and a movie and decided to go and tackle shoveling the driveway. It was the heaviest deepest snow and I was cussing myself for not staying on top of it during the day as it fell. That is right about the time I slipped and fell and banged my bony bum so hard I just cried. I yelled out loud a bad word and even gave a little talking to my hubby for leaving me in this mess of snow and sickness! That is about the time the man caddy corner from me came to see if I was alright (i was laying there in my owl pajamas with a pair of Chad's hiking boots on and a coat I can't even button over my big pregnant belly) I was a sight I am sure. I Stood up super quick and wiped my tears and explained that even though I was grateful for the snow it was really getting my goat at the moment. Is that even a phrase? I think it is but I have never once said it and I felt even more embarrassed. We talked about the snow plow and that our other neighbors who were out of town would sure come home to a mess.........I was secretly hoping he would offer to shovel for me but no such luck- he returned to his own fiasco leaving me to throw my shovel down in utter defeat. I decided to get in my warm bed and read and eat my lovely little bag of chocolates Chad got me- yes that would make everything seem better..............The kids, however, got my bag of chocolates that were by my bed and had eaten every last one while I was out- they actually tried to deny it but I smelled their little mouths and saw the evidence in their teeth and guilty grins. I was ticked- so ticked I actually threw a bit of a fit about how "nothing works out for me!" The kids just stared at me like I lost my mind so I recovered by saying that I was just demonstrating how silly they looked when they throw fits. Tate said "I really need to stop doing that huh......." I had to laugh at it all. Today we woke up to more snow but a very bright day. Tate's throat hurts which is just super. So we are playing hooky from church and I am going to do some sewing projects while the kids trash the house and do what ever it is they do. I might even cuddle by the fire with my kindle or bake something or take a bubbly bath or ...............anything really- the day is my oyster.... whatever that means.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

{tate}

This is what tate did this morning while I was putting on my makeup. I just thought it was cute.

{la la and lalaloopsy}





livia worked like crazy for this doll. she has been doing great with her spelling and chores and was rewarded with a doll she simply dreamed of....like.....FOREVER! These curlers are some of the coolest things ever. She even slept in them without complaint and the curl lasted a few days. How can you not love this girl to bits and pieces!?!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

{little bump}

I am thrilled! Even though I am sick as can be with this one I can't help but smile every morning that I am finally having another little saggy diaper! I am convinced it is a boy. I had a dream last week that I was getting a pedicure and the entire time I was in the massage chair I was delivering baby boys! I delivered 5 babies total and boy was I exhausted when I woke up that morning! Gotta love the pregnancy dreams. Chad has been a trooper with this "All the time sick" fiasco. However, we both keep saying this will probably be our last addition to the little familia. I know I always said I wanted 8 kids but reality is just so much different than day dreams.............maybe if I did not have to be pregnant that many times I would be on board! Give me all of your name suggestions!

Monday, January 10, 2011

How did this happen?


Yesterday at Church Chad and I received a shock of a lifetime our little sprite Liv is now in the Senior Primary! I could not believe it............I was stunned. She still is wearing 5T for goodness sakes. Since I am teaching in the Senior Primary I was able to spy on her during Sharing Time and she just looked so tiny compared to all of the kiddos. Last night before we went to bed she and I cuddled for a while and read her new pinkalicious book GG recently gave her. She read the entire book to me and I realized just how grown up she is. Quite the little lady that one. She is so responsible and loves routine. She loves school so much and can't wait to go to the bus stop each morning. As excited as I am for Tate to go to school next year and for me to get the chance to be home all alone with one sweet baby, I realize now how short that window is where our little ones are ours alone. It is hard to let our children grow up. I hate that I take for granted these days and then realize when it is too late what I have right in front of me.

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

{family picture shoot}





I am trying my best to hide the baby bump in these pictures and now I am wishing I had just celebrated it! Tate was a toot for these but Chad was a champ. O2 photography took these down in the valley (that is my best friend Rach and her hubby Zach- I will post a link). We had so much fun with them because the husbands could commiserate together about the joys of having sick, pregnant wives- Rach and I are both due in July.

Christmas Morning.....

Chad made me these nifty ski hooks.





Chad pretty much stayed on the couch assembling and untying toys all morning. What a great dad.



Christmas morning was magical as it is every year. I love having kids. It makes everything extra special all over again. They were so thankful for everything which was my main goal this year. I hate it when kids just expect things. Chad got me a Kindle which I am not sure is a good thing because I have already read five books! I have no self control and this instant gratification movement we have going on is terrible for my personality. A great learning opportunity I guess. We had a relaxing day at home and Chad made me my favorite dinner- why? Because he loves me so very much! Chicken fried steak, Chad's signature Magic Mashed Potatoes and green beans (we are talking the kind drowned in butter with no nutrients left what soever) just like I love them. I had a great nap and the kids played on their "ripsticks" all through the house. I will have to video them and their mad skillz and post it.

North Pole Experience

























For Christmas this year Chad's parents rented us a cabin up in the White Mountains so we could take advantage of the "North Pole Experience". It was a funfilled adventure- we were able to eat dinner with Mrs. Clause and travel through a portal to the North Pole on a christmas trolly. While at the North Pole we toured a classic toy museum made toys with the elves, attended elf university, ate yummy cookies and hot chocolate, and of course sat with Santa himself! But that was not the end of our adventure- we got to read bedtime stories with Mrs. Clause and the next morning we ate breakfast with Santa. It was jam packed full of christmas excitement and truly was magical. Thank you Andrea and Darwin for an amazing Christmas memory! The cabin was a really spacious place for the kids to run. They especially loved their cowbay room that had two sets of bunkbeds in it. Livia and Abbie had to share a bed of course. We made gingerbread houses at the cabin and visited with Grandma Great. She was such a trooper hanging out with the crazies! Chad and I picked her up on our way to Eagar and the kids were so excited to have her join us. We sure do love that special lady.