Madison's 9th Birthday and Farewell Party

Madison's bitter sweet birthday party.

Madison's birthday fell on the last day of school...sweet....and a few days before we were to move a long ways away from some very amazing friends...bitter. She has been blessed with a talent for making friends and found some really great ones in our stint in Arizona. It was definitely a hard age for her to leave her friends and she had leave some pretty amazing friends for sure. There were tears when we left but that has always been her nature...she is a lover and does not like to leave friends and family behind...ever!!! She is such a sweet girl and we are extremely proud of the young women she is on her way to becoming. She is a great sister, daughter, and friend.

My sister-in-law gave me the greatest idea for her party as it came at a hectic time for us. We did a cooking party and it was a hit. Thank you Angela you are a life saver!!

Here is how genius the party is...you leave everything for them to do and they love it. Here they are making cupcakes...check.

In to the oven.....

While the cupcakes were baking we decorated aprons for the girls to take home.

Zoe, Addi, Kansas, Madison, Sadie, and Riley...beautiful girls.

Now they are decorating the cupcakes they made....check.

And the wish....I wonder what it was?????

At the end they each got a cake mix, wooden spoon, and cake mix cookie recipe tied together with ribbon as a party favor. Done!!!! Loved it and as a bonus so did they. Good Times.

Porter's 7th Birthday

Harry "Porter"

Porter found a love for Harry Potter and I have to say it made for one fun party. And Porter does a fabulous Harry Potter accent. He is such a quietly funny kid and has the same sense of humor as his dad (they always crack each other up). He is a tender hearted, fun loving, smart, funny boy and we love him so so much.

We started off by making potions with punch, gummy bugs, and power powders. There were some seriously disgusting potions and as true boy they loved it. I wish I could have gotten the next event on tape. We called Patrick into the kitchen to see if he wanted a drink (secretly we gave his sleeping potion.) He took this little scheme to the extreme when after drinking it he literally flipped over the couch, feet in the air and toppled to the ground. I was afraid he may never wake up but the boys thought it was hilarious and each took turns drinking sleeping potion and falling to the floor.

Porter's friend Ethan may have been the only one who actually tasted his final potion. Tyler looks like he took some sleepy potions.

We had Harry Potter costumes for all the kids. They each got a cape, a wizard hat, glasses, a black cape, a wand, and a broom.

All dressed up and ready for a game of Quidditch.

Any they are off....

Porter willing his shot through the hole. They were hilarious to watch while they played this.

Jacob not getting very far as his broom was backwards.

Happy Birthday Porter man!!!

The after party...Jacobs face cracks me up in this picture.

And in this one....

We all had so much fun!!!

Utah Trip

We always love visiting family in Utah...so many fun cousins. And well I love my family.

Here we are at Aunt Kerrie's making goo (super duper cool stuff and the kids loved it). She always has so many crafty fun ideas for the kids. Madison seriously loves her Aunt Kerrie (and her craft room).

Buddies!!!

Never ending fun....

Beautiful Bear Lake.

This little boy is seriously the sweetest thing EVER!!!!

Always eating the frozen treats from mother nature. Hopefully never yellow!

Love this boy.

Gavin Dean...one seriously funny dude!

Our photo shoot...my beautiful sis Kerrie with her classic surprise face.

My little snow bunny...sculpted her own snow bed.

My perplexed face....hummmmm.

Sister fun.

Aunt Courtney's house...also very crafty and probably the most creative person I have ever met. Her talents and energy are endless. We had a St. Patrick's Day party with green Alfredo Pasta and bread with green butter. It took some persuading but they finally ate it...and anyone who has eaten Courtney's food know it is good no matter what color it is. We made some awesome rainbow jello, gold coins which were ritz crackers sandwiched with peanut butter in the middle dipped in butterscotch chocolate (yummy), and did a scavenger hunt to get to the pot of gold where the kids had goody bags waiting from the Leprechaun.

Love hanging with the Fam!!!

Spring Camping Trip

It is no secret that we love to camp and do at every opportunity. We went up by Camp Geronimo the boy scout camp up by Payson Arizona. I have to say we have hit a great camping age in our family. My kids are finally old enough to wander and play without wandering to far, all go on bike rides as there are no more training wheels, bedtime is much easier, no more tent breastfeeding (sucks...big time), and they all basically know about the danger of the fire, oh yes and no more diapers!!! I was loving the relaxing part of this trip. Beautiful place to camp, we are so lucky to have this amazing place we call earth to enjoy...everyday I am amazed at the beauty we are surrounded by.

Beautiful!!!

Jacob just recently got his training wheels off and had not fear of zooming down hills while his little bike was trying to keep up with his enthusiasm.

The kids building a worm city...I bet the worms were a little less thrilled than the builders but the were good sports. (no worms were harmed in the making of this village...I don't think)

Starting from the Top...January 2011

The Cruise

Good times, Good friends, Good food.

(Seriously I ate my weight just in ice cream cones!!)

We have made some of the most amazing friends in Arizona and have made lasting memories that you just cannot begin to do justice in a blog. Here is my top 10 list from the cruise.

1. Getting to spend quality time with my husband.

2. Well the fact that it was our first cruise. And I have decided it is the only way to vacation.

3. Mine and Sherree's many trips to the ice cream cone machine...the positive is I now have a future at Dairy Queen!!!

4. "What If"....enough said.

5. The hairy chest contest where one of our own did things that will be ingrained in my mind forever and won the contest hand down no competition.

6. That all of us...I think there were 40 in all...and we are no spring chickens can still break it down on the dance floor. Who says clubbing is for kids??

7. We seemed to attract a lot of drunks...but the cruise line made $0.00 off our alcohol free crew much to their dismay I am sure. They may limit the number of Mormons on cruises from here on out.

8. Some much needed R&R.

9. The Food...partly because I did not have to think about, cook, or clean up one meal.

10. Making memories that will last a lifetime with some very amazing friends.

The Room

Chillin' on the "beach" at Catalina Island

Beautiful Sunset...or rise....hummmmm!

Our creative crew made some very cute bedmates....I think my husband kicked everyone of them across the room....he got a "kick" out of it!!

What's that...yes my husband was in Mexico....look long and hard because it will be the last time you ever see it. Never use a public restroom in Mexico. This was such a monumental occasion our friends actually video him stepping off the cruise ship.

I had a little photo shoot with myself while my husband was on the chair next to me dealing with business....never ending business.

A rare but genuine smile for the camera.

Beautiful.

This was such and amazing trip...and a big thanks to my Father-in-law who kept all three of our kids while we were gone. And even taught Jacob to ride his bike without training wheels.