Our New Home

S

A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine, Holly, announced she was moving super far away to El Dorado hills. 

I.was.crushed. 

She is one of my favorite people to see at church, the anchor at our book club, & one of my greatest friends. 

But wait, she said I could live at her house. 

Um, I was totally torn between hatching a plan to kidnap her & keep her in my house. Nobody would ever find out. 

Or, supporting her so I can live lavishly in her awesome home. Hmm........... 

So you know I chose to support her. Also because she had a new born baby, 2 other children & a husband that would notice her missing. So we packed & moved out. A little suddenly I might add. But thanks to some other awesome friends, it went very smoothly!

 Charly on the first night. She was loving it!

 Everyone running in all the new space!

 Me at the end of the day. Totally wiped out. 

And with so much more work to do!

Thanks to Jimmy for letting us use his tow truck.
 That's most of our stuff right there!!

I've enjoyed decorating a bit. 

Although I realize I really don't know what I'm doing. 

This is a wonky wall in the master bedroom. 

 My new kitchen that excites me so much that I have done some embarrassing jigs in it. 

The little nook that our table fits into. Nice & snug. 

 Ahem. One of my favorite things. The pantry. 

No more food on a terrible book shelf, or stored in the garage. 

The kids also love to hide in there. 

 My second favorite thing(s). My house warming gifts. I got to unpack all my books & put them on my nice, new shelves. 

They look great. Thanks to Melissa for putting them together. 

 Two views the middle room. I don't know what you call it. 

But the kids love to run around, dance, play & build in the open space it provides. 

What I get to see from the kitchen sink! 

I love having a window in the kitchen. 

 Back yard & inside the gazebo. 

I can't even tell you what all the fruit trees are. I know there are lemons, oranges, cherries, pears, apricots, purple plums, nectarines, pomegranates, apples & a few others. But they almost all look the same to me. 

I'll figure it out when they ripen this summer. 

The green house. It's fantastic. My seeds sprout in there better than ever! Also, I love having a spot for the lawn mower. A shot of the garden side of the house. Holly was huge on gardening. I get to reap her rewards. (i.e. look at those berry bushes)

We started planting before we even moved in. 

 Cherry tree & other side of the house. 

And my third favorite thing. (yes you can judge me for how lame I am) 

A hanging fruit basket! We eat so much produce, having it all around on the counter has always bothered me. 

But now it can hang around. It's not even a tacky 70's one. Black & modern. 

Sweet Elles. Enjoying her new spot to eat.

I'm so grateful to be in a quiet area. No drug dealers (that I know about), on a court so the kids can play outside, fruit trees, an extra room for crap, a real size garage, a hot tub, great garden area, windows everywhere so it doesn't seem we like live in a cave,  & I get to live in the essence of my good friend Holly.

Feel free to come visit me. I'd love to show off my newest blessing!

Karate Kids

Owning a gym has had some advantages.

When the owners of a Karate studio walk in willing to trade services.

I actually jumped up & down at the opportunity for the boys to be in martial arts.

I've always wanted it for them, but it's too pricey for 2 kids.

I knew how much they would love it. I knew they would learn a lot.

Not to mention how good it is for my sweet/ ferocious Great Nate.

Plus it's only 30 minutes long, 3 times a week. Suck on that soccer!!

They've recently earned their second stripe on their belts.

All they can talk about is how it takes years of hard work to be a black belt.

Listening to them talk about how excited they are about working hard is music to my ears.

It also provides a great threat when they're being naughty

(I know right? My kids are NEV-ER naughty).

I just say we won't go to Karate. They shape up real fast.

The Nickel

Look at those little bones. Aren't they the cutest?

The doctor was impressed that out of 4 kids,

this is our first "swallow foreign item" incident.

First that we know of anyway.

It should pass, but I can't say

that I've been having fun inspecting the diapers.

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!!