Charles Turns 3!!

We threw Charly her first bday party princess style.

There is no other style for this girl.

I always said my girls would be tom boys.

But I guess they come pre programmed.

This one is 100 percent girl, drama included.

Balloons & bubbles did most of the entertainment.

Injury tantrum was not a disappointment.

Even Elles liked the outfits.

Decorating animal shaped sugar cookies.

The animals were all the princess' friends.

Playing dress up.

I can't believe you're 3. It seems you're more like 14.

You love princess movies, toys, dolls, dress up.

Getting you to say please has been a torturous battle

these last few months. But then you're sweet as pie

when you really want something.

You play well with your siblings

& throw great public tantrums for all to see.

Everyone tells you how beautiful you are,

I think it's getting to your head.

But you're our sweet heart.

Happy Birthday my love.

Nate Birthday Party

Nate's 5th birthday party was so much fun!!!

We had delicious cake that turned everyone's mouths blue.

(Um, & turned their BM green. TMI I know)

We had the biggest Pinata I've ever seen. Thanks to Jimmy & Rene.

Every kid got a shot, then Jared pulverized it.

The war was the best!

Everyone had a gun, bullets, eye protection & fear of being shot at!

There were sand bag walls to hide behind.

Adult men to run from. I think some of them had more fun than the kids.

Pink goggles for the girls. Thanks to Nana.

Awesome hiding spaces.

Bows & arrows.

Balloons for Elles to play with. But for others to pop.

More hiding spots.

Lots of smiles.

And lots of rope climbing. The kids loved climbing up & swinging.

Unfortunately, I was coerced into buying Cheetos, my nemesis.

But the birthday boy insisted.

But they did keep others occupied for several moments.

Happy Birthday Nate. I hope you enjoyed yourself.

I'm glad your father has an awesome gym to do these kind of things in.

Nate's favorite things about this day was the Pinata, his friends, & all the guns.

hasleton Quote

Grant: "Mom, how do dogs have puppies?"

Mom: "Same as people. They puppies grow in the mommy's belly."

Grant: "Do they have to get married?"

Mom: "No."

Nate: "You just have to get two pups together!"

Thanks my Nate. May it be this easy in a couple more years........

Great Nate!!

My passionate child has turned 5. I can't believe how big these kids grow.

For his bday, we did heavy heavy hangs with cousins, had lots of yummy desserts

& are planning a fun birthday party involving Nerf guns,

camouflage & face protection.

We'll see how that goes!

My Nathan LOVES Star Wars & playing PBS games on the computer.

He builds very interesting things with Trios & LEGOS.

And can roll cars along my furniture surfaces all day long.

He loves going to school where the ladies like him.

He can't wait for kinder next year. He has the energy of 4 kids put together,

but looks like an absolute angel when he sleeps.

A fun conversation we had with him the other night while reading scriptures goes like this:

Mommy: The bad guys wanted to fight because they wanted power & rich things. The good guys were defending their freedom & their families.

Daddy: If anyone ever made me choose between Mommy & anything else, I would choose Mommy. Even if they would give me all the money in the world.

Nate: If the bad guys said I had to choose between bacon or Mommy. I would choose Mommy.

Pause while he thinks.

Nate: Yeah, I'm right. I would choose Mommy.

Thanks Nate. I choose you too!!!

Shout out Friday

Don't wear red to Target or blue to Walmart.

Although I usually can answer people's questions when they ask me.

Elle's First Birthday

My sweet Ellie turned the big ONE in November!!

She is the happiest baby I know. Always good for a smile.

Easy to calm down. Good natured.

Enjoying her present from Grandma.

So serious with her cake.

Happy Birthday my Ellie Bell. Many more to come!!

Soccer Shout Out Friday

Driving home from an end of the season soccer party....

Jared: "These are the best team mom's we've had."

Jennifer: "Jared, I was team mom last year."

Jared: "Um, that was different."

Hasleton Quote

Charly is out in the garage making a mess with the coloring books.

Grant turns the lock, thus locking her out there.

Me: "Grant, don't lock your sister outside. It's not nice & you're supposed to protect her."

Nate: "Mom, if we lock her outside, the bad guys can't get her. So we are protecting her."

Grant: "And it will force her to clean up her mess."

Poor Charly.....

My cute kids

I've been dying to get some good shots of my kids.

They are so naughty about looking at the camera.

As you can see, Elles didn't do a great job, it was her nap time.

But I love these!!

Shout out Friday

When Charly throws her tantrums because she's angry with me,

I find it hilarious that she screams,

" I WANT MY MOMMY!!."

Shout out Friday, Hasleton quote & Halloween......

Shout out Friday (Should have been last weeks)

You know you had a good night

when there is chocolate on the door handle of the fridge.

Here are my Halloween hooligans.

And for my quotes:

Grant: "Mom, I have a secret about Daddy. But I'm not gonna tell you."

Me: "Why? Cause it will get him in trouble?"

Grant: "Yup!"

Nathan: "Mom, can Jesus do anything He wants? Like destroy the planet Pluto?"

Me: "Yes. He can do anything He wants. Everything listens to Him. Even the dirt."

Nathan: "How? Does He use a force? Like the Jedi force?"

Me: "No. Not the Jedi force. Jesus uses a REAL force."

Nathan: "Oh, Jesus should use the Jedi force. It's so cool."

Shout out Friday

I went to Target 3 times today. Jared said I should be ashamed.

But I'm sure there are some other gals that understand.

Hasleton Quote

Grant: Mom, can I have some marshmallows?

Mom: Sure, after you brush your teeth.

$3.69 skirt

Old Navy had some great clearance this week!

I saw this super cute skirt for $3.69. That's right, only 3 bucks.

Who can pass up a cute skirt for that?

The only down side was the front slit up the wahzoo.

But I had some t shirts lying around to help me out on that.

Cut some strips, made some ruffles & voila!

A cute modest jean skirt.

Just had to share.

2011 Soccer

Every year I get excited about soccer.

The boys will have so much fun.

One week into it, I'm ready to be done.

But they're are having fun, making new friends, & working hard.

This year I have really lucked out to have great parents on both teams willing to step up.

My babies are growing up way too fast.....

Shout out Friday

I've been praying for more patience.

But I want it right now......