It's Raining, It's Pouring!

We didn't make huge plans for Saturday, due to hearing we were going to have loads of rain, well the storm didn't even get here till the evening!!! H was soo excited to try out his new umbrella in the rain (thanks Aunt Jamie!) Until it got real windy, H was in the house fast. He was also worried about Mudslide who was still outside taking care of business.
The tykes were downstairs when they heard a huge thunder then came racing up the stairs. Miss P was scared and wanted to be wrapped up in her favorite blanky (again, thanks Aunt Jamie!). H decided to get all of Miss P's stuffed animals to put around her to not be scared and read books to her. (Doesn't the photo remind you of E.T.?)
Now that is some brotherly love for ya! H I always hope you have that brotherly love for your sissy! She looks up to you and I love to watch the 2 of you interact and grow together!

2nd Annual "My Favorite Things" Blogswap!

Its' that time of year again, for the My Favorite Things Blogswap! Hosted by Kelly. Check out her blog for all the info and get RSVP'd!!! I participated last year and it was so fun!!!
So come on, why not meet someone new and send them a few of your favorite things?

It's My Party!!!

I think birthdays are FABULOUS!!! Since it was my birthday, I chose to eat at the newly opened Cheesecake Factory and we had no wait!!! I think it's cause a huge rainstorm had come in. H was all bummed that it rained on my birthday. When he said the prayer that night, he asked that it not rain on my birthday next year, so tender!
Here's me and my yummy lemon-raspberry cheesecake! Look at that portion!!! Don't worry, Miss P informed our waitress it was my birthday, so yes, I was sang to by the employees!
Brandon and Miss P shared a huge dish of chocolate ice cream and H got his own caramel cheesecake. (you would think they would give child portions, nope. They don't even have a child's menu, so the things they brought the tykes for dinner were huge, yes, we had left-overs!!) The food was sooo yummy though!
I was really surprised on our way there that Brandon had gotten me a gift, remember I had gotten my own gift, the new diaper bag, well my hubby knows me and gifts, so he surprised me and got me a pair of KEENS! I am way excited about 'em and the color, plus how could you not be when we are talking shoes!!! I also wanted a new water bottle, how convenient that REI is next door to the Cheesecake Factory. I was told by H that I chose a boy colored bottle, but I like it!
Thanks to my cute family for an awesome birthday!!! And all the great birthday wishes by phone, e-mail, and snail mail!!!!
H was too cute when we got home in the evening, he said he had a gift for me. He came down stairs with a box that read' Happy Birthday Mom! PS open the box." I opened the box ans as soon as I did, H put his arms in the air, I am your gift! Then he said, "I love you so dang much!" Too cute and something I want to remember forever!

Memorial Day at Forest Park Zoo

We had a great day at the Forest Park Zoo in MA. It's in a huge park that has all kinds of things- picnic areas, swimming, gardens, tennis courts, and I could go on. We went with 2 other families and all the tykes had a blast! The weather was perfect too! One of the 1st animals we saw was a big tortoise! Love those things- note the back legs sticking out, just like Mudslide does!
Here is Miss P with her friend Andrew! Too cute! Love how they posed themselves.
Miss P feeding a goat. Love it when you can feed some of the animals. I think it really makes the experience! The tykes had loads of food too for them.
My tykes! Hanging at the zoo. This zoo isn't overly huge, so it's great for kids.
The black bear with a mind of it's own. It took me forever to get a picture of this thing. The minute I would come around with my camera it would leave, so all I could get was a back view, now that is not the best view, so this side view will have to do!
Loved capturing this photo for H, P, and A looking for a bobcat in the cage. Doesn't this just scream kids! Since they are always trying to get closer to something!
One of the camels you could feed.
The new train that you can ride around the park. Very relaxing and refreshing after a walk around the zoo! Here is H, Andrew, Clara, Miss P, Olivia- front row Joes!
Proof that Brandon and I were there. The picture turned out not too shabby, thanks to Sarah for taking it!
What a great way to spend out Memorial Day! H worked hard this morning before I had gotten out of bed, he is the early riser in the family and had written out a few patriotic songs with pictures of the flag and America on a globe for me. I was so proud of him and he wrote so nice. Fun to see the time he took to do these things because of Memorial Day!
And a huge pat on the back to Brandon and his friend Alan for biking all the way to the zoo!! And still having the energy to do the "zoo thang" with us!!

Sunday Post

Today the topic spoken about at church was about being prepared in our homes and also financially. There were some great talks. Now I think I mentioned a few months back about a project I had been working on and well, it's still a work in progress, I thought I would share what I have so far, mostly thanks to my in-laws who donated their good to us since moving. This also goes well with my Sunday Post since this is what was talked about today. Our families food storage!
I have gotten most of it organized and just need to keep working on getting the things we don't have yet and to learn to rotate and add to well.
I'm pretty proud that we now have more of a food storage! Thanks Carla and John!!! I can feel a little safer now knowing we could survive!
So glad that at church we are all suppose to be working on our food storage and we have someone that is telling us each week what we need to purchase so that we can have a good 3 month supply of food storage!

*What do you do or do you have any good storage ideas to share???*

Birthday Girls Nite out!

This is my buddy- Amy and I on our way out for pedicures, dinner, and a little shopping to celebrate our May birthdays!!
We went to this great spa called Lavender Fields Day Spa! Very nice, great employees and served drinks when you got there! Note the nice champagne glasses too! So enjoy getting pedi's and I should do it more often!
Here is Amy getting her pedi groove on!
The after math of the hour long pedicures and sooooo worth it!
Amy, thanks for having your birthday the same month as me, so I had someone special to celebrate it with! Your company was great and we should make this a tradition!!! After meeting each other a few years back at our daughters dance class, this was actually the first time we have ever gotten to do something without kiddos, a big thank-you to our hubbies for helping out!
Happy Birthday to all May b-days out there!

Pregnant Me!

Since my word of the year is BLOOM, I just might have to say, I am blooming nicely!! This is me at 26 weeks and feelin' fine! No complaints here!
I scored myself my own birthday present by ordering a new diaper bag, which arrived today in the mail! I got it from Hanna Belle BoutiqueGo check it out, you will not be disappointed! Lots of hand-made goods for babies and mommies too! Thanks Michelle- great work and fast service!!!!

Snips-n-Snails...

and puppy dog tails! This is one of our favorite positions to see Mudslide in. She does this a lot in the morning when she comes downstairs and the tykes are having breakfast. For some reason she just perches herself on the edge of the step and dangles her paws over. So glad I was able to finally capture it. You must know I am a dog lover, if it's not obvious!
H is our little inventor. He seems to always be up to something. I received a package in the mail and he immediately asked to use the box, this is what he came up with- an Alien Face! You gotta love it and the creativity this boy has!

Sunday Post

Today was a special day at church. The Bishop's daughter turned 8 and was baptized a member of our church. She was the 1st in our ward to use the new baptismal font at our new church building. Since I am the Primary President, I got to welcome her as the newest member of the Primary and tell her what a great example she is setting for others. I can't believe that I have known this girl for the past 5 years, all of which I have served in the Primary too. My tykes were really excited to be there as well. Can't believe in a year and a half, it will be H's turn!
This young girl being baptized had memorized the song put out that goes along with the yearly Primary theme, of I am a Child of God.
She then sang the song, If The Savior Stood Beside Me, accapella! She has such a cute voice. This song totally gives me the chills too! I sooo loved hearing it!
I thought I should share the words with you too-

If the Savior stood beside me,
Would I do the things I do?
Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?
Would I follow His example?
Would I live more righteously if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me,
Would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel?
Would I speak more rev’rently if I could see the Savior standing nigh,
watching over me?

If the Savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure?
Would His presence give me strength and hope and courage to endure?
Would His counsel guide my actions?
Would I choose more worthily if I could see the Savior standing nigh
watching over me?

Watching over me, watching over me,
He is always near me, though I do not see Him there,
And because He loves me dearly,
I am in His watchful care,
So I’ll be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.
I will be the kind of person that I know I’d like to be
if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.

I hope you all enjoyed your Sunday too!

Karate Mid-Graduation

H is doing so awesome and karate and building for confidence too! He had his mid-karate graduation today where he got a star for his white belt, then next graduation he will move to his yellow belt. It was a busy day, Master Gray came to pass everyone off and hand out certificates after.
Here is part of the graduate group with their certificates! Way to go H!! Keep up the great work! Mom, dad, and sissy are really proud of you!!!

I Scored!

I went to the re-opening of a new grocery store in the next town over to score a few deals and check the place out. While I was checking out the cashier mentioned don't forget to try and win a free bag of groceries! I was like sure, so I push a button on their computer screen and it's like a computed slot machine, sure enough 3 "Free" signs appear. I was like I won, so the cashier checked it out and sure enough another employee walked over with this green usable bag full of groceries, all for me!!! I was sooo excited, as soon as I got in my car I called Brandon to let him know. It's not everyday that I win something!!! How great is that! They say things happen in 3's, so I am holding out for maybe some more winnings or good luck to come my way!

1st Graders Music Program

H's had his singing program- here in int he green shirt on the front. This is the big "cheesy" smile I got at the beginning of the program when they told all the kids to smile for their parents.
But if I ever looked at H while singing, he quite singing! It was a cute and quick program. I am trying find the lyrics to a great song called "Circle of Friends" that they sang. Also Tomorrow from the movie Annie, which is an all-time fave of mine.
H, I am sooo proud of you and all the hard work you do in school. Keep it up! Soon it willbe summer and time for us to play!!! I loves you!

Mother's Day!

Ok, so this is my little brag moment, so I hope I don't offend anyone, but I really had a great mother's day this year. My hubby and tykes really surprised me. I had asked for a hanging plant for outside our home and a cute beehive I had seen at a little decor shop in the next town. Well, it wasn't until Saturday evening that Brandon decided to take the tykes shopping for mom. I was pleasantly surprised when I walked down the stairs Sunday morning to 2 hanging plants and 2 beehives,(Brandon said he didn't know what size I wanted!) I will take them both, thanks!!! It was too cute cause the tykes got to pick their own gifts out for me- H got me a pack of gum and the game Kerplunk! I used to have that game when I was a kid, so it was soo fun to share in the memory with my own tykes. Miss P got me some Burt's Bee chap- which is my fave and my own Neopet! (my tykes have been wanting these for a l-o-n-g time. They couldn't wait for me to get it all logged on so they could play.) It was just such a fun mother's day and to have them be a part of it. H even wrote me a poem in his card he picked out himself! Plus I love that all the little kids got to sing in church to all the mother's too, they did a great job, even if H stood there and didn't sing a thing!!!
Happy Mother's Day everyone! Hope you enjoyed your day too! I feel so blessed with my family and so glad Heavenly Father picked the ones that were chosen to be put into our home. I hope I am doing the best I can for him!
A huge Happy Mother's Day to the moms in my life- I am lucky to have 3! Wish we were closer to them all to give loves in person though! Mom- I so love you dearly and for our close relationship we have gotten over the years, I soooo look forward to our extra long phone conversation to catch-up on life! My mom-in-law, I could never ask for a better one! She counts me as her own daughter and has really helped me though out the years and taught me a lot. My step-mom, wish we could chat more often and I want her to know how much I do love you and your friendship we have always had!!

Satruday is a Special Day!

Today our day started with a Mother's Day Primary activity at the church, which I was in charge of. We started off making cards for the mom's, then moved to decorating flower pots.
Then moved on outdoors in the nice sunshine to plant our flowers in the newly decorated pots. Then of course some free time to play and have snacks. The activity went well and we had a pretty good tuen-out too. Sure hope the moms will like their surprises tomorrow!
Off to a little bike riding with dad. Finally we got some pix of H, who has mastered bike riding without training wheels a few months back! He loves to rid roar up and down our street
Dad surprised him with his new big boy bike last summer when they went to Moab over Easter!
P loves to ride and honk her horn too! The tykes love to race each other. Dad and I enjoy watching for the sidelines!
But wait, the day isn't over yet, still had yet to go to a birthday party for a friend of the tykes, then some Mother's Day shopping for mom with dad. I wonder what will be in store for me tomorrow!

Fairness Award!

Mss P was awarded the Fairness Award at her school. She is in all pink, so you can find her. The tykes school picks a quality each month and each teacher picks a few students in their class that they think show that quality best for the month, then they have an assembly to recognize those students. This was Miss P's month to shine. Even daddy was able to make it too!
Miss P wanted to pose by her castle pci from the Art Show! Too cute!
Then daddy told the tykes how proud he was of both of them for doing sooo well in school, that we took them to Chuck E. Cheese, where a kid can be a kid! Here is P on their new horsey ride- which she loved!
H shoing his prizes he got from all the tickets he earned! Candy and a glow-in-the-dark lizard, you can't beat that!
Since it was quite a rainy day, it sure turned out to be a great day after all!

Art Show!

The tykes school held their annual Art Show for all to see! Their artwork was based on Africa. This is Miss P's favorite place picture of a Castle. Boy, would I like to visit her castle one day!
Here is H posing by the Amulets, which are necklaces that he and his classmates made!
Had a to get a little group fam shot here- aren't the QT's??!!
A stop off at the playground on the way out. H posing for a pic- I sure love this boy- I do, I do!!!
Miss P ran into her best friend from school- Elanor. These 2 were too cute for words at they held hands and rean around together!
Thanks tykes for a fun school adventure!

Science Class!

The school PTO is currently holding after-school science class. Both the tykes wanted to take it and I volunteered to help out. This week they learned about colors and color separation. One of the PTO volunteers use to be a science teacher. She does such a great job and we can't wait to see what we learn next week! This is Miss P and her friend in 1st grade- Anna working as partners.
This is H dong his thing. He is all about learning new things. He enjoys science!

Octo Massager

Ok, I have had a few inquires about my Octo Massager, so I did a little research and found a site that sells them. I have not seen it sold at the mall for some time now. So go here to check them out. They are on sell to for only $12.95! Enjoy!