More Slumber Parties

"Quick, close your eye."

I never imagined these kids would be so close. But same recess, same baseball team, same soccer team, etc...

We let them stay up late (2100) on a school night letting them giggle and bond.

This is a great life.

Dirt Bike Riding

"And that's how it's done, people!"

Yin and Yang

It was 2330. (I prefer military time. I have worked in a hospital since I was 18; it just comes naturally.)

I was coming alive. I like who I am when it's late.

He was barely coherent.

He was up for me. Tortured to watch a romantic movie, ruined by my odd commentary due to my random quote wiki lookup.

And that is why I love him.

He is my opposite. He goes along with my silly antics. He takes my odd requests seriously. He is my dream, and my future rocking chair partner.

He woke up the next day when it was still dark. Cheerful. Dressed for work and walked the dog.

He kissed me goodbye while I laid in bed and moaned back in my sober, sleep hangover.

It was too early to think.

When they get it

"Mom, as soon as we get home, I am going to bed."

[It's 6:00pm.]

Ok, are your allergies killing you?

"No, I just want to wake up with a happy face."

Goodbye, Spike

Ethan buried his friend and created his headstone today.

I've always told him that Heavenly Father made his heart a little bigger.

Successful Family Movie Night

I love my family.

Welcome

aka I love my girls.

Breakfast

What do you want for breakfast, sweetheart?

Umm... It's looks like throw up. And it's gray.

Oatmeal?!

Yes!

BFB

Best friend brother.
Slumber party version.

Bum walk

I needed a break and de-stress after church on Sunday, so I volunteered to walk home with this guy.

I was in no hurry to get home, so I followed along with his antics.

We eventually made it home.

Arizona Horticulture

I grew up in the Arcadia neighborhood in Phoenix. As kids, you know oranges because you usually have to do the picking and juicing.

In our current house, we have four types of orange trees.

Here's a quick breakdown. Herston and Grant's favorite is the Cara Cara, and I love when a three year old asks for a Cara Cara by name.

(Yes, we have a decorative oranges tree. It's so annoying. Why would you want an orange tree you can't eat?!? And to top it off, they have thorns! Unlike any others.)

A long walk alone

He returned home after a VERY SHORT disappearance although we drove the neighborhood and talk to the "morning peeps".

I realized how much these kids love this dog.

My iron child

Immediately upon realizing her tooth was loose after bumping into Ethan, she has been begging for Grandpa to come and pull it.

It probably wasn't that loose, but she was determined... with no tears.

Happy. Toothless.

Wooden Guns

Grandpa makes the best guns.

Herston makes the best gun sounds.

Family Bike Rides

... Which always ends up at the school with everyone practicing bunny hops.

Continuing Independence

"I was thirsty."

Allergy Forecast

Unfortunately, 2012 is supposed to be the worst allergy season on record.

As a teenager, I never imaged I would be looking up the allergy forecast every morning.

Swim Lessons

After years of putting my kids into swimming lessons as soon as they could walk, I'm holding out on this one. I know the drill.

Raea is his swim coach now.

Happy Easter

We "resurrected" used toys from Goodwill. Easter on a budget.

Happy kids.

Raea and roses

First Grade Field Trip

It is important to me to spend time in my children's classroom or on field trips to have more time together and meet their friends.

Young's Orchard

Arizona blessed from my dad's personal orchard.

All types of random citrus, with pummelos the size of your head.

My Rose

"I got you a rose, and I picked off all the petals for you."

Oh, Girls

Toe Heads

The funny thing about instagram...

Light "Saver"

Spring General Conference 2012

My goal this year was to have my kids more involved in the content of the talks.

We had colored coded post-it notes on the wall of the 12 apostles. It was great for me to see my eldest walk up and put a sticky note every 10 minutes (especially when the younger ones' attentions started dwindling off).

Quote highlights:
"Why be jealous when I choose to be kind?"-Holland
"Stop it!" -Uchtdorf
"Even if grievances did not start with you, they can end with you." -Holland
"Don't delay... It's getting late!" -Holland
"There is nothing that cannot be undone." -Holland
"Don't judge me because I sin differently than you." -Uchtdorf
"Our degree of gratitude is a measurement of our love for Him." -Nelson
"Saying 'let me know how I can help' is not helpful." -Rasband
"Do you ever pause for meditation?" -Monsoon
"Parents, do not make all the choices for your children." -Wilson
"Devote yourself to your family and everything else will improve." -Ballard

I especially loved the last quote. I am working on my family right now. I am working on being a better person. My the Lord guide me in my new adventure.

Easter Eggs

Some of my favorites:
Sisters
Ethan loves Mom

Best kind of sleepovers

My kids think it is a treat to sleep in their siblings' rooms.

Yesterday I found this. The spare toddler/ crib mattress pulled out from under the bunk beds with a Larissa's huge bear as their pillows.

(The quality is poor from a cellphone camera with the lights off, but I think you can imagine the fun.)