The Stauffer Family

The last 48 hours

2012-01-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

Sit back, relax, grab some popcorn, because the last two day for us have been laughable!
Sunday 9:15 Arrive at church, meet two nice couples, head to class. Kids went in just fine. I am thinking how wonderful it is to be able to go to Gospel Doctrine when...I get a tap on the shoulder from the primary president. Are you Ethan's Mom? Yes (in my head I am quickly running through all the possible explanations-he's scared, crying, has to go potty, something. I was not prepared for what came next....'Um, he threw up all over primary'. WHAT?! We headed out and met up with him in the bathroom, poor kid was covered in it and crying. I had to strip him down and wrap him in my coat to walk him out to the car. We had to dodge the bishopric who were coming to assess the 'situation' .

12:15 Another mess from Ethan. I clean him up AGAIN and get him into bed.

5:55 Noah decides that the fastest way to get down the stairs is to roll to the bottom. I am repairing a head wound when our dinner guest arrives.

6:00 Engage in fight with 4 year old over why he cannot have pizza for dinner after getting sick earlier. He gets so mad that he throws up in my hands, on the floor, and then slips and falls in it...all of which I have to clean up. Dinner guest probably won't be returning.

Monday

Call the bishopric about our records, since we couldn't meet with them after church. We find out that we are now known as the family with the kid that threw up. Awesome! I call the Primary president to apologize and find out about E's class and teacher...she doesn't call me back.

Tues

12:00 Head into town for some gas and lunch for the kids. I pull into the gas station only to have a near heart attack when a young man appears out of nowhere right by my window. Attendants, right, not in CA anymore.

12:15 At McD's I run into a woman from our new ward. I reintroduce myself and say that I would have liked to talk to her more on Sunday but that we had to run out since Ethan got sick. Her response..."Oh yeah I heard all about that". There were no extra tables in the restaurant so I sat at the table next to her, she didn't talk to me again, and when my kids headed for the playplace, she promptly left. Coincidence? Could be. OR My kid has turned us into...'THAT FAMILY'.

12:45 I tell the kids it is time to go. Ethan comes down and gets ready but Noah barricades himself in the playplace. I have to climb in and drag him out. The cops eating lunch are now watching me.

12:55 After getting everyone dressed, re-shoed, and ready to go I walk to the door only to set off the alarm. Yup, emergency exit. Again the cops are staring. At least a nice woman sitting near by had some sympathy for me and said she had done that too.

1:05 Kids in bed. I am looking for my phone, only to realize that in the craziness of my day I left it at McD's. The young man at the counter has it.

Summary-Idaho has turned me into a crazy person!!!!

7,8, & 9

2011-11-09T16:31:00.000-08:00

#7 Lucky number 7! The one thing that makes me the luckiest girl ever is having the gospel in my life. This year especially has taught me what it means to rely on the hand of the Lord. I have a long way to go in understanding that I don't need to bear the weight alone, but I am working on it. This year the Lord has given me more spiritual uplifting than I thought possible!

#8 I am thankful for my ALMOST 8 years of marriage. This probably should have been#7 since we just had our anniversary in August, but March marks 8 years together so I figure we're good. I am so grateful that we have each other. When everything is wrong in the world I know that Preston will be there to make me feel better. I know this for a fact because last week I had the worst headache ever and was throwing up from the pain and all I wanted was for him to hold my hand. It is amazing how at different moments you are reminded how much someone means to you and how strong your love is!

#9 I am thankful for successes, however small. Accomplishing something, whether recognized by the world or not, is always a great feeling! This week in the Stauffer house we have accomplished the following: planning a great party, breaking Noah of his binkie, starting potty training, packing up more stuff, letting go of things that are taking up space physically and emotionally, starting to teach Ethan to read, having FHE, and getting E to the dentist for a filling with no screaming. Sure we didn't make a million dollars, change the world, or find perfect happiness, but we did do something, and isn't that what we are here for?

#6

2011-11-06T20:37:00.001-08:00

Given my current state of sickness today's post is a bit biased. Today I am grateful for sleep, it helps your body heal and is just plain wonderful. It is doubly amazing when it happens in a quiet house in a comfy bed. I am grateful for the down time, the peace, and the renewal that it brings. I am especially grateful for a husband who knows when I am feeling horrible to take his snoring self out to the couch so that I can get uninterrupted sleep. He even takes the second house phone with him so that I can intercom him if I need anything. (Not gonna lie I may abuse that perk a bit) Hoping tomorrow is a better day, but also filled with more good sleep!

Attitude of Gratitude #5

2011-11-05T10:24:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for modern medicine. Countless times in my life have I seen the power of medicine for myself, my family, and my children. Currently I am thankful for asthma medications to help my kids sleep at night. Poor little Noah has been coughing terribly this week but I am grateful that we have access to doctors and the medicine that we need to help make him more comfortable. I was also recently thankful for pain killers when I had my wisdom tooth pulled. I am just grateful that I am not alone in my attempts to care for my children, that when there is a problem I have access to trained professionals who can help. It isn't just me and Preston out on the prairie watching our children suffer without any way to help them. Those Mother's and Father's had a strength that I can only imagine.

Attitude of Gratitude

2011-11-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

During the month of November I think that we all take a little extra time to think about our blessing and pause to express our gratitude to our Heavenly Father for those gifts. As I have done in the past I would like to share with you some of the blessings that I have recognized in my life. I know a lot of you are posting on facebook, but I am a bit long winded at times and like a little more room to express my self! LOL!

Nov 1: November 1st is my Grandmother's birthday and every year that I have to spend with her I find myself more and more grateful for having grown up with so much of my family so close. Both my husband and I were, and are fortunate enough to have solid, loving, close relationships with much of our extended family such as Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc. It is such a blessing to know that I have so many people in my life that I can turn to for love and support during my highs and lows in this life and the next. I was blessed to know all of my grandparents, but I will forever have a special bond with Grandma Gesek. She was there from the day I was born. Thirty years later, a day rarely goes by without a phone call from her letting me know that she loves me and the kids. What an example! Sometimes we bicker and yell, and there are times I think we are both fed up with each other but the truth is that when she is gone there will be a void in my life that will not easily be filled. I prayer that when my children have children that I can have this kind of close knit relationship with my Grandkids, that they will know that they are loved beyond measure.

Nov 2: I didn't always have intentions of being a Mother. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone, I don't try to hide it. I never had that natural maternal response to kids. I was the youngest and had zero experience with children and honestly was totally fine thinking of my life as kid free so that I could work, travel, enjoy delicious meals, and be total spontaneous with my time. It's funny how things change. Today I am grateful for the refiners fire. I have seen His power first hand to change us, mold us, better us, teach us, and strengthen us even when we weren't ready. Meeting Preston was only the first step. Realizing what real love was, both how to give and receive it, allowed me to open myself to the possibility of children. When we decided to have kids I knew that it was going to be a game changer, but this is the BEST game I've ever played!!!! I am so blessed to have two wonderful children who fill holes in my life I didn't know existed. They teach me every day, they make me laugh, they infuriate me...but they are mine. I made them and I am blessed to mold them!

Nov 3: This day is always one that causes me to pause and remember the gift of the plan of salvation! I am so thankful that I can be reunited with family again. What a gift of peace!

Nov 4: Today I am grateful for my talents. Some people have skills for singing, playing the piano, dancing, but not me. My talents are more subtle, more personal, but for me they are perfect. I am blessed with the talent of organization, of financial awareness, and of communication. It is amazing how much this year has called on those things specifically to get us through this rough patch. I am so grateful to see that Heavenly Father knows exactly what we need and when we need it and that he always gives us the tools to get through it!

Motherhood, you need to read this!

2011-11-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

The following is taken from
The Letter Your Child Would Write | In Pursuit of It All
www.inpursuitofitall.com
Dear Mom,
I’m writing this to you to tell you one thing: don’t worry.
I know that worrying is built into the mom-gene – that it comes with the eyes in the back of the head and the reflexes that somehow make it possible for you to catch the flying juice-box while driving the minivan.
But seriously, don’t worry.
You think I don’t notice when you worry, but I do. I see you worry when I pick the clothes that are too wacky, I see you rub your thumb and fingers together as you ponder if I’m going to be teased or taunted while you want me to find self-expression. And the choice you made? Just fine.
I could tell that you were anxious that I would end up with traits of yours (and dads) that you don’t like in yourself (or dad). And, well, I did. I grabbed one or two juicy ones because it’s in my nature to do things because you don’t want me to. But I also got a much bigger share of the things about that you both that are incredible. And some of those amazing attributes are ones that I bet you didn’t even know you had. You don’t see them, because they’re so hard-wired into who you are. You look at me and wonder where some amazing ability came from. I’ve heard you tell your friends, “I know! I don’t where that came from!”
It came from you Mom, you gave it to me.
You think that I’m oblivious when you gnash your teeth when you give me Oreos because you know I’m starving and there aren’t any healthy snacks around. But you know what? I love Oreos, they make me happy, and all that other stuff you make me eat when with all the weird colors and flavors do their job pretty well. I have more energy than anyone else in this house, I’m pretty sure, and so I want you to not worry about the Oreos. Or the Cheetos. Except maybe Dad didn’t want me to tell you about those.
All those choices that you made when I was tiny – they were all fine. Even the ones that were different from what your friends did, even the ones that weren’t what the books told you. If you think about anything that hard, Mom, it’s probably going to come out A-okay. Because if you pay that much attention to whether or not I needed cloth diapers or disposable, your commitment to what’s good for me can’t really be called into question.
You fret when something upsets me, you freak out when you do something for yourself, you worry that you’re not teaching me what I need to know and you stress about not doing enough to broaden my horizons.
And I just want to tell you, Mom, stop worrying.
All those things you tell me – that it’s okay to make mistakes, that I can’t know all the answers, that being kind and thoughtful will get me to the right place almost all the time? How come those things are true for me and not for you?
I think they’re true for you, too.
Because when you live those words, they become a thousand times more true for me.
You’ve taught me to speak my mind, say “please and thank you,” that you have to mean “I’m sorry” when you say it, to get up when I fall down, that a scraped knee is not the end of the world. You taught me to be nice to the dog and the smaller kids on the playground, that it’s okay to take a break when you’re upset and that I should treat people how I want to be treated. You’ve shown me that tiny things can be the most amazing and that purple Popsicles will stain my fingers and your tablecloth.
And most of all, Mom, you’ve taught me how to be proud tomorrow of the person I was today.
So really, you’re doing an awesome job. And I want you to worry less and laugh more.
Because as much as you love my laugh, I love yours.
And I love you.
-Me

Trying something new...

2011-09-19T09:28:00.001-07:00

Thought I would change things up on our blog....what do you think? I can't figure out how to change the text size in the title so if you know, PLEASE TELL ME! The past few days have been crazy for us. Without too many details, my husband had a very disturbing experience on Friday that has caused us to make some adjustments for our little family. Prayers are appreciated as we are trying to adjust and help him through this. With everything that happened we had some time to re-evaluate things and realized that we need to make some changes. I realized that with all the stress this year has brought us that it was starting to take it's toll. I have been in quite the funk and NEED to get things moving again. We are where where we are and all that....I need to make the best of things. So in my effort to get back on track so to speak I need to post about what we've been doing. A few weeks ago we headed out to Old Sacramento for Gold Rush Days. The kids had a ton of fun, despite the heat. Grandma and Grandpa Stauffer (aka Grandma Linda and Grandpa Zombie) came with us and treated the kids to a genuine stagecoach ride! So fun!

Noah doing 1..2..3..Jump!

My boys! This is my world!

Boarding the Stagecoach. The boys loved it and spent the whole 'trip' waving out the windows to everyone!

Getting ready to go, not so sure what to expect. As soon as it started Noah started yelling "Horsey, Horsey"

Lunch on the river

Ethan visiting the undertaker

Panning for Gold. Afterward we took our gold to the bank and got some money to use around town for treats.

RIP Ethan Stauffer

Noah playing the shooting range with Dad, he did really well...with some help of course!

Birthday Celebrations:

We had a party with the family last weekend for the boys. This year they asked for costumes. Well Grandma Stauffer and Grandma Frank delivered! We are now the proud owners of Thor, Bumblebee, Iron Man, Storm Troopers, A gladiator, a Ninja, a construction worker, spider man, captain america, and superman. They have been having so much fun!

Their big gift was from Grandma G, a geo tracks set from Cars 2. They loved it! Noah was hurrying to get it inside so that Dad could set it up for them.

2 and 4 Where did the time go?

On Saturday we headed up the block to the Chicken Festival. Old Fair Oaks is famous for the roaming chicken population and every year they celebrate by having a huge street fair, entertainment, and best of all a $5 unlimited kids park complete with 4 jump houses, free face painting, carnival games, puppet shows, art projects, and of course chickens!

Noah got up the the top but didn't want to go down alone, so up Dad went to slide with him. I love his face in this photo.

Ethan was fearless, except for one jump house that looked like a train. The entrance creeped him out.

Trying to coax brother down again. No luck, Mom had to get him.

24 pics!

2011-09-02T09:34:00.000-07:00

We are so excited to celebrate our little Noah today! He has brought so much joy into our family! We thought it would be fun to see how much he has changed over the past 2 years while enjoying some of our favorite family memories! Enjoy!

September 2nd, 2009

October-First pumpkin patch visit!

November-First Apple Hill Visit

December-First staged photo op.

January 2010-Sleeping in the big boy crib

February-Hanging out with Brother

March-Starting to get moving

April-Learning to stand

May-First time trying eggs...ps he's allergic!

June-Today we discovered the nut allergy!

July-Sunny San Francisco

August-Learning to Read :)

September-First trip to the Jelly Belly Factory

October-Getting a back ride from big brother

November-First visit to the Discovery Museum

December-Visiting Grandpa at work

January 2011-Meet Mr. Bucket Head

February-Exploring Pebble Beach

March-First Mardi Gras Celebration

April-First Trip to Daffodil Hill

May-Sleeping in the high chair

June-First time bowling

July-My messy eater

August-Trip to Utah!

I'm Two....

I want to go too!

2011-08-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

Ethan finally got to go to his first day of Preschool! Class actually started on Tuesday but they didn't have his file so we had to wait for him to start. He loves it! In fact, he cried when it was time to leave. He calls it toy-school. We are so excited for him but poor little Noah did not understand that the doesn't get to go to school yet. He kept insisting "I school". So in order to keep everybody happy BOTH kids got ready for school, BOTH kids got their backpacks on, and BOTH took a ride to school *Ethan to the real deal with Mom and Noah to Game Stop with Dad :)

Ethan' First Day of School

Noah all ready for big brother's first day of school

What happened to the time

2011-08-21T19:36:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is the start of a new chapter in our lives...Ethan starts preschool! WOW! The time went way too fast! In the blink of an eye my little Bubba has grown into quite the little man! His teacher in church always let's us know that he is the first to voulnteer, always shares, wants to do all the acting when they do plays, try every hands on activity they do, and today she told us that he showed all the other kids how do chores for their "I love my home" lesson. We are so proud of him and how much he is blossoming socially. Ethan has always been our more sensitive little guy so to hear him being so open makes me smile!

Lucky Number 7

2011-08-10T07:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you to my wonderful husband for this amazing family video! We are so lucky to have one another!

My LIttle Crack Ups!

2011-07-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

A boy in a box...enough said!

E watching the last shuttle launch. "Mom that is a HUGE spaceship!"

Music class on Fridays with Mister Cooper. At the end of the class he does a freeze dance where the kids have to dance and freeze when he stops playing music. This was E's epic pose!

Water fun at Aunt KeKe's house

All tuckered out and sleeping on the couch! I heart that kid!

What makes you smile?

2011-07-05T09:12:00.001-07:00

I love summer! I don't love the heat, but I love that there are so many things for us to do! So here is a quick peek at the past month in photos...

On Father's day we made a trip over to the cemetery to see Papa Jim. It is always such a special experience taking the kids there, hearing how they understand that Grandpa is with Jesus and Heavenly Father. It is so humbling. Ethan drew Dad a picture of spiderman and left it for him. Hope you liked it Daddy! We miss you.

Play group this month has been doing some water park days and the boys have loved it! Here is E camped out at the water gun waiting for his chance to spray all the other kids with water!

And here is my Bear, loving the water and smiling as usual!

Last weekend was the Red, White, and Blue parade in Citrus Heights. The kids loved it and loved getting all the free candy, toys, and food! My Mom was in heaven with so many of her grand-babies, we were still missing 11 and one great grand baby but it was fun!

For those of you who follow Preston's family on FB, you know that Grandpa Zombie (Preston's Dad) and Greg got to meet Jimmer...big deal...WE MET SLAMSON!

Seeing Cars 2- The boys were so excited. This was Noah's first movie and he really liked it...for the first hour and then he liked the hallway!

Bear being Bear! Give this kid a sandwich and look what happens! Note his knee covered in Jelly!

This just makes me smile-a diaper and a pirate hat, what more could you want out of life? Oh of course, the soundtrack to GLEE! :P

Bubbs making a silly face just because! He is handful sometimes, but man this kid really can have some sweet moments! Love you bubba!

4th of July BBQ at the Kubo's. The kids had so much fun playing with Kathleen in the 'treasure chest'. And of course bubble time was wonderful! Pretty sure that Noah ate more bubble soap than he actually blew!

My sweetie-This picture is all the wonderful things that he is...I love you!

The start of Summer

2011-06-16T14:36:00.001-07:00

So far this week has been an exciting one for the kids! Monday they spent time with Grandma and Grandpa Frank. They got to play outside, go for a walk, go to McDonald's, and help Grandma do some shopping. Tuesday we spent $6 and came out with story time, music time, a trip to the library that got us four books and two movies, one game of bowling with Kris and her kids, and four scoops of Baskin Robbins ice cream! Wednesday we went over to the Thompson's house for swimming and then spent the evening with two little boys in our ward. Today we ran some errands, picked up some more pool toys and life jackets, and were heading to story time and free yogurt at Big Spoon when Noah crashed in the car. Good thing Walmart was taste testing ice cream so Mommy wasn't made a liar! Tonight we have the missionaries for dinner and then we are headed out to free craft night at Michael's. Tomorrow we have fun stuff planned in Roseville and Saturday Ethan and Preston have some special time together! I love summer time and wish that companies offered more programs like this all year! What is your favorite free summer activity?

At the ward picnic-all smiles

Climbing the rock wall

Waiting to start bowling

What do you mean I have to wait for my turn?

Pro-bowler right here folks!

A little of this a little of that

2011-06-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

It has been forever since I have posted! We've all been getting used things around here with Daddy's semester in full swing. He is taking 11 units online and 8 units on campus...yup for a total of 19 units! All while trying to making time for me, the kids, finding work, keeping on top of assignments for classes at 2 different schools in 2 different states and finding time to sleep! Needless to say, this past month has been a bit stressful for all of us. Not to mention the late rains that kept us inside...something we are not used to AT ALL! So deep sighs of relief that this craziness will pass, summer will come, kids will stay happy, and Mom and Dad will keep it together. Just some side thoughts...I am thinking of starting to write again. Yes this is writing, but I'm talking writing more with a purpose. It seems like lately everything is forming prose in my mind and there are so many interesting things to take on right now! I don't know. Maybe I will test somethings out here and get some feed back. I am strongly considering submitting to a few places, but who knows. This may just be one of those "As a Mom I am not feeling fully fulfilled" whims that hit all of us once and a while. Now, on to pictures....

Yes, this is my children standing in front of the special report "Osama Bin Laden is Dead"

Um, yeah, I know that this picture is disturbing but...nope I got nothing.

(P.S. Ethan's smile is a little creepy)

Another TV milestone.. the last Oprah show! Me and the boys watched with popcorn and tissues in hand!

This is Preston's new favorite picture of Noah. If you are lucky enough to know this kid you know that this picture is SO him!

Second trip to the dentist. He did so good for his x-rays, exam and cleaning, but found out that he has one tiny cavity on his very back tooth! Can you say "Sonicare here we come"?

My little ball of crazy! He did AMAZING for his age at the dentist. He sat for x-rays, and exam and even let the girl clean his teeth. He had no problem with the water sprayer, spit sucker, or the polisher! I was one proud Mom and promptly rewarded them with candy! LOL!

The good stuff

2011-05-06T08:00:00.001-07:00

Okay so I figured after a few mopey posts I need to get back on track with what's really important...THE TWO CUTEST KIDS EVER! These two make me so crazy but they really are so fun. I LOVE that we had two boys first, they are best buds and take such good care of each other. Even though they fight like any siblings they also share some of the sweetest moments helping, teaching, sharing, loving, and taking care of one another. It is those little moments when you see that they are listening to you and learning from you that make it all worth it!

A few nights ago we had our friends the Fairchild's over for dinner. They have a little guy that is about 5 months old so we brought out the baby walker for him. Noah promptly decided that he wanted a turn and climbed in. Super cute and at least 30 minutes of entertainment!

Last weekend my Mom took the our family and Jen's two little guys to Sonoma Train town. If you have met my boys you know how important trains are to them. While some little boys are into guns or sports, my boys are into trains and cars. The love Thomas and freak out at any opprotunity to ride a train. So needless to say this place was the perfect place for them! Not to mention they had an insider tour guide, Papa, who spent 30+ years working on the railroad. Our family has a serious history with trains-my step dad is a train man, my dad was a train man (20yrs+ with SP), and my Great Grandfather was a train man. Love for this kind of stuff is in their blood!

The park has a few amusement rides, some quarter rides, trains the kids and can tour, an arcade, a gift shop, a scale roundhouse and work shops, and a train that takes you for a 20 minute ride around 10 landscaped acres with waterfalls, bridges, tunnels, and arrives at a petting zoo for the kids. The petting zoo was really cute. It had a whole town build kid size for them to walk through.

Here is Noah and Danny on the quarter train.

After a bit of fighting we got Ethan to ride the planes with Cody. He did pretty good flying way up high!

All aboard! The whole family headed out on our train adventure.

Dad and E enjoying the ride

My riding partner...I love the look on his face.

At the petting zoo

Inside the kid town church

Kid town jail

Kid town firehouse

The calm before the storm! These two were so happy when we got home and after tubs they just wanted to snuggle on the couch together and watch a movie. Just a few hours later the stomach flu hit our house in full force....

After a busy day out running errands with Mommy Noah couldn't quite make it through lunch...

Here is our big boy. Over the weekend he figured out how to climb out of his crib. So, with his new bedrail we have ventured into the world of two children in regular beds who can now roam freely during bedtime. It has been quite the adventure since he doesn't want to stay in his bed. Poor kid just wants to climb in bed with his brother and play. I think bunk beds may be happening sooner rather than later!

Silver Linings

2011-05-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

Well this past has been one for the record books! Everything that could go wrong went wrong and then once it went wrong it snowballed into an even more messy pile of wrongness! However, in spite of all the chaos we've endured since last Wednesday I am going to try to find the silver lining in every one of my dilemmas, so here we go:

1. WEDNESDAY-Medi-cal disaster with kids insurance=I have insurance, who cares how hard I have to work to get it figured out! I am grateful that my kids can see a doctor, get shots, go to hospital and not run us into crazy debt with medical bills!

2. WEDNESDAY-Neglected house, visiting teaching appointment, screaming children...=My husband kindly offered to fix lunch for the kids so that I could clean up the disaster (aka paint that Noah had so kindly spilt on the floor prior to drinking it) and make our home a little more calm.

3. THURSDAY-Burnt out Mamma, pent up kids, overworked Daddy, lots of crying=Roseville galleria mall play place Thank you for reopening! You salvaged my day and refocused me on what's really important!

4. FIRDAY-Miscommunications, hurt feelings, frustrations=All the drama of the day aside I was able to talk to my bestie who made me feel tons better and headed to the temple with some close friends. Felt the spirit so strong in the sealing room!

5. SATURDAY-Horrible morning, late getting out, bad allergies, kids screaming, car stolen, allergic reactions, suburns=car was found with no damage, officer was nice, got allergy pills which worked but made me sleepy (however after the week I had it was a nice change). Great day in Sonoma, awesome memories with Mom and Fred!

6. SUNDAY-Stomach flu, baby crying, husband in pain, me with a migraine, messy beds, Ethan screaming, no sleep, doctor phone calls, no church, finding out Preston doesn't have prescription coverage on his insurance, and a baby who figured out how to climb out of his crib-Preston offered to clean up the throw up, which is good since I am a sympathetic gagger! Children eventually calmed down, husband got meds that are working, got to see the priesthood in action, saw how awesome our parents are, we are appreciating Noah's strong personality and can see that although it makes us a little crazy, it will serve him well in life.

Basically, after a little reflection it puts it all in perspective. We are alive, well, and happy. We have a home, and a car. Our children are healthy, our needs are met, our family is wonderful, and we are blessed to know that we are being tested only because God sees more of our potential than we do, and of course the church is true. Would I relive this weekend...maybe not, but I really do have a lot to be grateful for!

Overwhelmed...but trying

2011-04-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a tough day. It has been 14 weeks since Preston was laid off. 14. Honestly, we didn't think he would be out of work so long. Considering how much of a planner and control freak I am, I think I have been handling it pretty well. I just made my lists of things that needed to get taken care of, modified, or cut out and did it. However, yesterday all the worrying caught up with me. Preston started school last week, so the kids and I have been back on a more "Daddy free" schedule. It has been nice to get back to our normal routine but after trying to manage some financial and business things with the kids this week I kind of lost it. This whole experience has been such a roller coaster of emotions. Most days I experience feelings of complete joy that Heavenly Father has continued to preserve us to such overwhelming anxiety of what the future holds that I can barley breath. I have found that my one of my few sanctuaries has become my car. So that is where we headed last night. Daddy was working hard on homework, the kids were restless, Mom was a mess, so we went for a drive. I think it is calming because being on a tight budget I really have to decide when and how far I want to drive...every mile=$ spent so we try to walk most places. But last night I needed it. I needed the calm hum of the car, the kids self entertaining talking about things that we drove past, the sunset, the fresh air, the music. I needed it. Driving out to Roseville that song called "For the first time" came on the radio.

She needs me now but I can't seem to find a time,
I've got a new job now on the unemployment line,
And we don't know how,
How we got into this mess is it gods test,
Someone help us cause we're doing our best,
Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying things we haven't for a while
A while ya
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

Oooooo

She's in line at the door
With her head held high (high)
While I just lost my job but
Didn't lose my pride

But we both know how,
How we're gonna make it work when it hurts,
When you pick yourself up,
You get kicked to the dirt,
Trying to make it work but,
Man these times are hard,

But we're gonna start by,
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Doing things we haven't for a while,
A while ya,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time.

Ooooo

Yeah.....
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying thing we haven't for a while,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time

(ooooo....), yeahh for the first time,
(ooooo....), oh for the first time,
Yeah for the first time,
(just now got the feeling that we're meeting...
For the first time)

She needs me now but I can't seem to find a time,
I've got a new job now on the unemployment line,
And we don't know how,
How we got into this mess is it gods test,
Someone help us cause we're doing our best,
Trying to make it work but man these times are hard

But we're gonna start by
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying things we haven't for a while
A while ya
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time

Oooooo

She's in line at the door
With her head held high (high)
While I just lost my job but
Didn't lose my pride

But we both know how,
How we're gonna make it work when it hurts,
When you pick yourself up,
You get kicked to the dirt,
Trying to make it work but,
Man these times are hard,

But we're gonna start by,
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Doing things we haven't for a while,
A while ya,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting for the first time.

Ooooo

Yeah.....
Drinking old cheap bottles of wine,
Sit talking up all night,
Saying thing we haven't for a while,
We're smiling but we're close to tears,
Even after all these years,
We just now got the feeling that we're meeting, for the first time

(ooooo....), yeahh for the first time,
(ooooo....), oh for the first time,
Yeah for the first time,
(just now got the feeling that we're meeting...
For the first time)

Oh these times are hard,
Yeah they're making us crazy
Don't give up on me baby

Now while this whole song doesn't resonate with me (ie drinking cheap bottles of wine) a lot of it did. It just struck me and kind of echoed all the overwhelming emotions that I had been experiencing this week. Our mantra with each other lately has been "We can do this, and if we can do this, we can do anything" But sometimes saying that, and knowing that are two vey different things. Because all of that calm that we have about being on the right path is also rimmed with constant questions like "what about the kids? what about insurance? when? how? another baby? Where are we going to end up after this whole mess? Most days I try not to worry about all that. I mean I can only control what I can control, and things a year away are not in my control. Everyday we have just tried to work on improving the here and now, taking things one step at a time. So after a good cry in the car the kids and I headed out to the play place to burn off some worry. Then we drove home. I am beginning to think that driving isn't the solace I thought it was. It is time of quiet reflection, yes, but most often that reflection leads me to tears. Maybe I am just more emotional as a Mom, maybe I scared, maybe I spend too much time trying to be strong for everyone else, that when I let my guard down it just come out. Who knows? But hey, the upside, I do have great skin! Anyways, driving home I heard a new song, one that was kind of a more uplifting answer to the previous anthem of the night

I've been waiting on the sunset
Bills on my mindset
I can get deny theyre getting high
Higher than my income
My income's breadcrumbs
I've been trying to survive

The glow that the sun gives
Right around sunset
Helps me realize
This is just a journey
Drop your worries
You are gonna turn out fine.
Oh, you'll turn out fine.
Fine, oh, you'll turn out fine.

But you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.
you gotta keep your head up, oh,
And you can let your hair down, eh.

After another cry and a smile, I paused in my car to thank my Heavenly Father for the little reassurances that he sends me that everything is going to be okay. I may not be the path that I thought I would walk, in fact it may be much harder, but as long as we keep our focus our end result will be the same. I am thankful for a husband, who after full disclosure while dating me, still choose me and the trials that would come our way. I am especially grateful for amazing friends who listen to me cry, love me, and tell me that things will be alright! Here's to a better week...with less tears!

Another Holiday Post-Easter

2011-04-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have loved this Easter Season! The kids and I have been doing some fun projects at home, visiting lots of beautiful places, and really trying to appreciate the Savior during this wonderful time of year. This particular Easter had some extra special meaning since Ethan was invited to give the scripture during Primary (he did AWESOME!!) and I was able to teach my class about the Resurrection. I love my Primary class! They are all great kids with a tremendous knowledge about the gospel.

We began the Easter celebrations early with a taste test of Peeps! Noah really knows how to 'enjoy' his food'!

On Saturday morning we headed over to Sis. Ruggles for her annual Easter Egg hunt. She hides 160 dozen eggs for the kids in the ward. It was so fun! The eggs are filled with candy and tickets so there are prizes for the kids who get tickets. We were lucky enough to bring along Katie and Chase to share in the fun.

The under 3 Egg hunt....it was over in about 5 minuets! The kids really know how to clean up...maybe I should start a chore chart?

Noah was so funny~he would pick and egg, crack it open, try the candy and if he liked it he put it in his basket...if not he just dropped it back on the grass!

Do you see his bucket? He was by far one of the fasted kids to clear the lawn! He did so well that he shared his eggs with some late comers so that they had something to find.

My Noah Bear cheesin' it up.

After the egg hunt we came home to get lunch ready for Grandma and Grandpa. Noah was so tuckered out from all the running around he fell asleep with Daddy.

Our beautiful Easter Table.

Lunch was so yummy! We had ham, potatoes, rolls, applesauce, sparkling cider and Grandma and Grandpa brought a yummy dessert for all of us! It was so nice to have the family here. The kids always get excited to have Grandma and Grandpa over. Ethan asks us, at least once a day, if he can go to Grandma Linda's house. They get so excited when they are here, they want to show them everything and talk their ears off! We are super lucky to have so much family close. After dinner we had an egg hunt. Grandma and Daddy hid the eggs while Grandpa told the kids a story.

Noah taste testing

E deciding if he likes what he got

After the egg hunt we colored eggs with Grandma and Grandpa. It was fun and messy as always but this year there were no egg fatalities.

Grandma and Grandpa were all tuckered out so they took their dessert to go. We made the kids wait till after naps for dessert, but man did they love it!

On Easter morning we had a special visit from the Easter Bunny! He ran in while the kids were getting cleaned up from breakfast and left a candy trail to their baskets outside. He also left a special egg with a note for the boys saying that he loved them!

On our way to church, don't they look so handsome!

CRAZY FACE!

My big boy was outside playing by himself so I had a little impromptu photo shoot with him!

Nana Banana!

Family photo, not my fave, but it was the only one where the boys were looking at the camera!

The Elkington egg hunt, 4 and unders

Again with eating the candy as he goes!

Nana and 9 of 13 great grand children!

While Mom was fixing an amazing ham dinner we played MJ experience with the family. SO fun! The little kids were all playing outside and had a blast.

During dinner Noah got a little overly excited and flipped his chair back! We were all laughing so hard! His dinner went all over the place and he was laughing so hard at himself.

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter with the ones you love!

What being a Mom really is

2011-04-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

I have a few close friends who are going to celebrating their first mother's day this year, some with new baby in tow, and others still waiting for their little one to make their arrival. While I was out with my boys this morning shopping for these friends my boys and I were doing our usual in the car, listening to music and dancing. The song No One by Alicia Keys came on so we turned it up since that one was Ethan's "favorite". For some reason I was suddenly struck by this song.
When the rain is pouring down
And my heart is hurting
You will always be around
This I know for certain
You and me together
Through the days and nights
I don't worry 'cause
Everything's going to be alright
People keep talking they can say what they like
But all i know is everything's going to be alright
I literally started crying right there in my car while driving down Greenback. Why? That's a great question! Why? I looked in my rearview mirrors and I saw my boys, so innocent, not a care in the world and I knew at that moment that I would do anything to protect them. While this song is about falling in love I somehow made the mental leap to loving my Mom and in the blink of an eye saw a million moments from my childhood stream by, moments that then I didn't understand, things that hurt me, made me feel left out, made me want a Mom that understood me...but now, in this moment I saw all the sacrifice, the love, the patience, the hurt, the loneliness that those same moments brought to my Mother. Being a Mother is having the patience to wait 20, 30, 40 years for those Thank You's to come. It is countless hours on your knees in silent supplication on behalf of your children, it is getting up at 5 am and going to be at 3am. It is the most love and yet the most pain and worry all at the same time. To be a good Mother is probably the most selfless sacrifice we can give one another in this life. I am blessed to have had a Mother who, although she didn't always do everything right, loved me enough to try. She told me no even when it would hurt because it was the right thing to do, she spent countless nights worrying on my behalf when she, I'm sure would rather have been sleeping, who always prays for me, who, for the past 3 years has put her life on hold to help me learn the ropes of being a Mom. What a powerful opportunity and blessing parenthood truly is. To be able to feel, even on the most minute level, how Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ feel for us. While the every day rituals of being a Mom can be slightly monotonous, I would challenge all of us to remember the true meanings of being Mothers.

In the past few weeks....

2011-04-14T15:23:00.000-07:00

In the past few weeks we have spent a lot of time as a family...the one bonus of unemployment!

It has been a while since I have posted a ton of pictures of my cuties so hopefully you will all enjoy these as much as we do!

Ethan and Noah have the BIGGEST imaginations! They love to play pretend. The other day the emptied out the tupperware cupboard and turned it into their 'truck'. It amazes me that they both fit inside there. Preston was off job hunting and came home to find the boys 'missing'. They started giggling and we opened the door to find this...

One night last week, Bear had a rough night. After hours of fighting, he finally fell asleep on the couch at like 2:00pm. He is sitting upright and just collapsed sideways onto a pillow. Sweet Dreams little one!

My nephew's Cody and Daniel(along with their three brothers, Mom, and Dave) moved into a new house last week! I am so excited for my sister to finally have a little room to breath. She has been on her own for 18 years or so and this is the first time she has moved into a house, not a duplex, a house! We went to check things out and I stole a picture of the four that are closest in age playing on the front lawn.

Her oldest son, Austin, attended his Jr. Prom. WOW! When did that happen? I remember changing this kids diapers and putting him to bed at night. He looked so handsome!

My Sis and her baby boy!

This is Bear. This picture encompasses all that is his craziness, cuteness, boldness, and just plain Noah-ness. I love this kid.

Um, this is me. I know it's a weird random of me, but I don't ever have pictures of myself and I kind of liked this one so there you go.

Daffodil hill-There is this place in Volcano CA where they plant tons of Daffodil bulbs every year and open it free of charge to the public. I love it. I have a ton of memories there. As a kid we used to pack up and head up there and then go for a family picnic just a few miles down the road. This is one of the last places that we went as a family the year my father died. This year was the first time that I was able to take my boys up there and they loved it! Enjoy the pics!

Back in Amador City on the way home, the kids were playing on this bench just making me laugh with their funny faces!

The one injury from the day...I kind of dropped him on his head. Sorry Chasers, it was an accident!

The Big 30!

2011-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

30 REALLY? It seems like just yesterday I was in high school. And now in the blink of an eye I am a Mom to two wonderful little guys and and a wife to an awesome man. To be honest, this isn't where I thought I would be at 30. If you had asked me when I was 18 I would have said "At 30 I will be single, maybe in a relationship, but not married! NO KIDS. Probably working some amazing job and spending all my free time traveling". If you asked me at 24 "At 30 I will maybe be married, but probably not. NO KIDS! I'll be working on my PHD in some ivy league school while teaching. I will love my life" At 27, "Well, I am married and becoming a Mom. I am terrified. I am hoping to get this over with and get back to my PHD program (that I never started due to said pregnancy) and get back to teaching". What 30 really is....I am a Mom, I love my kids, I wouldn't go back to work or school right now for a trillion dollars! There are days when I get stressed but really I can't complain! Did I think at 30 I would be a little more settled? Probably. But I wouldn't change the path my life has taken for anything. My little family is everything to me! What I would change is my post pregnancy tummy, my aches and pains, my memory loss, and the fact that I get winded doing dishes! LOL! What I hope my 30's bring: another baby (maybe a girl this time), my husband finishing his BA, settling down somewhere, and maybe, if the time is right, going back to work. I am looking forward to what the next few years has for us!

Prestons awesome photography skills capturing the 'thugs' aka our children

Dance Dance Dance Dancing machine!

Amy and I on our birthday outing! Every person that we talked to asked if we were sisters.

Birthday Date night with the Fairchild's at Chicago Fire Pizza! MMMMM. Thanks for the laughs!

Me and my honey!

Okay, so here is my gift from Preston and the boys. Preston 'made' the song and filmed the boys for the video. You'll get a good laugh out of it!

For Holly

2011-03-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

First time scrapping since you moved... :( It wasn't the same. I did however manage to bribe Preston into doing a page for the boys. (I had to play 30 minutes of video games...the things I'll do for scrapbook pages LOL)

I really like this elephant one...It says loads of love
By far my fav. Thanks for the ribbon!

Pizza Mine

2011-03-15T17:40:00.000-07:00

Just for a laugh....Noah's saying pizza and running off with the box!

Missionary Package

2011-03-15T16:34:00.001-07:00

We sent some much overdo letters out today to Brandon and I just had to share. For FHE we all colored Uncle B a picture and wrote a letter. Most of the time I just make up little letters written from the kids and them have them 'sign' it. But yesterday we tried something a little different. I told E that we were going to write Uncle B a letter so he could tell me what he wanted to say and I would write it down. I gave him a few suggestions (most of which he ignored) and told him that I would write word for word what he wanted to say to his Uncle. This is his letter:

Dear Uncle Brandon

Do you like robots? Do you like rocket ships? There are eggs in the stars. Do you like monsters? Last week I went to the pizza place. If I read my scriptures I get to have ice cream with the Bishop. I got to go to Grandma Linda's and watch Star Wars. I like Darth Vader and the bad boys because I need to shoot them with my shoot gun. I liked the robots. Thats it. I ask all that many questions so I don't want to say anymore.

This just makes me smile!

Teacher ?

2011-03-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you who are teachers, have children, or frankly have an opinion please respond to the following:

Last night I watched a piece on 60 minutes that highlighted the TEP project, a charter school, funded by public funds that is built on the philosophy of quality teachers hired at-will. For those of you foreign to teaching as a profession, most districts (and by most I really mean all) hire on a contract basis. Meaning that for the duration of your contract you pretty much can't be fired. For example in the state of New York, of 55,000 teachers who have tenure, only 7 have been let go for discretionary reasons. Having a contract allows for some job security of course, but the theory of TEP is that is also removes some incentive to preform. Under this model the master teachers are hired at-will(no contract), they receive and increased salary of 125,000, (which I might note is double and almost triple in some states what a normal teacher makes) they do not receive benefits, and the principle, who is the founder of the school, has the final say at any time if he feels a teacher is not improving the students.

Check out the following for more info TEP

For the 60 Minutes piece click here

So what I am asking is what do you all think? Is this an effective model? Is anyone else angry about the quality of education in this country? I'll share my thoughts as you share yours...

EQUALS

2011-03-14T11:28:00.000-07:00

Pizza Party

2011-03-12T12:34:00.001-08:00

This year instead of celebrating everyone's birthday individually, Mom and Fred decided that we would do one big birthday extravaganza. We all headed out to Jon's Incredible Pizza for food, games, and fun! Because we are such a large group Mom was able to reserve a party room, which with so many little one's, was awesome! We were able to have some quiet time as a family and have extra help with the kids from our party host Micah. The kids got to play party games, have balloon hats and animals made for them and take a special trip to the dessert table! Mom gave each family tokens and ride tickets to use as we wanted. Preston did the bumper cars with all the big kids, and then took Ethan on the roller coaster with Jen and Cody. Noah and I hung out in the toddler zone for a while and then played some games together. We really did have a lot of fun with the family just being together. It's moments like these that remind me that even though we might bicker and fight, judge each other and even gossip, there are no other people on the planet that I want to call mine! I love my family so much and love that we can have so much fun together! I especially love that my sisters have little boys the same age as mine and that they all get along so well! Thanks Mom and Fred for the fun day and memories!

Catch up

2011-03-08T10:21:00.001-08:00

It has been too long since I have posted anything. And while I was hoping to find the time to do some serious journaling I have WAY TOO preoccupied with other things lately so this will have to do!

FEB 2011- A quick trip to Monterey to see Grandma Stauffer, Georgia, and the Stauffer cousins. We had so much fun with the family! It was such a joy to see Grandma with the kids and how much they mean to her. Having been blessed with my Grandparents living 4 houses away from me it is a joy beyond measure to see my children have so many loved ones who take such an interest in them! It rained the whole time we were there, except for part of Sunday, so we spent a lot of time enjoying one another's company. We went to the Aquarium, Carmel, Fisherman's Wharf, and a very exciting trip to the store with Grandma, Georgia, and Stacie! Totals for the trip-1 major injury(a head wound for Noah), 1 lost hat, 1 wave attack that drenched Ethan, and lots of laughs! Funny things the kids did-When E got knocked over by the wave he came to me crying "Mommy I'm all wet and I don't have my swimsuit on! I don't want to go in the ocean! I will get lost and the fishes will eat me because the fishies are not nice!"

E also got a stranger to buy him something just by batting his eyes. Noah was a crack up, he was constantly playing with the big kids and we all had fun watching him! He did manage to say STACIE and chase her around the house quite a bit! Thanks for all your help with the kids girls!

Reading stories with Grandma

Watching a movie together on the IPAD

This is what happens when you give a baby a chocolate covered pretzel!

MARCH: So far we've had some big adventures! We've had lots of play time at home, trips to Chuck-E-Cheese, playing at the Mall, and celebrating Mardi Gras in true New Orleans style! Cute memories from this month: E and I having a late night conversation about all the things he wants to do when he grows up. He let me know that he is ready to go to school and ride the bus. He told us that he is going to be big and be a Daddy after he is a missionary. And my fav..."I love you ever and ever". At church the other day he jumped out of the car and went running for the door...I told him he needed to be reverent since we were getting ready to enter Jesus' house. Without missing a beat he folds his arms and keeps running. We had to laugh! At ChuckECheese he was up in the Jungle Gym and crawled out to the end where it looks like a cage. The gym makes sound effects and so it started making gorilla noises...totally freaked him out and he spent the next 10 minutes paralyzed by fear crying for help to get out! I had to send my 4 year old nephew in for help! Noah is just plain goofy! Not a day goes by that we don't bust up laughing at something silly he does!

The boys wrestling

The dreaded talking jungle gym!!

Playing with cousins at ChuckECheese

At the mall with Grandpa making him crawl through the kiddie tunnels!

Mardi Gras cookout! Amanda sucking the head of the crawfish! The food was SOOO good and the company was amazing.

Noah decided that he wanted to be a baby for the night!

We found this little guy in the other room taking all the beads and putting them on one by one! He wouldn't take them off!

Love is in the Air

2011-02-13T18:48:00.001-08:00

We spent the weekend lovin' being a family. Saturday we packed up early and headed over to the park for doughnuts and playtime. The boys were excited about the doughnuts, but even more excited for the playground!

Today, after church, we spent the afternoon making valentines for one another. I helped the kids write a special note to everyone in their cards.

All finished and full waiting for tomorrow! Just so you know how awesome these cards are, my card to Preston had a heart with fuzzy ribbon glued to it. The text read..."You make my (insert heart with fuzzy ribbon) feel warm and fuzzy" AHHH. I know we are just too cute for words! :)

I hope you all enjoy tomorrow with the ones you love!

Reflections of Motherhood

2011-02-10T10:31:00.000-08:00

For all my Mommy friends and Mom's to be!

Slow Down

2011-02-08T18:10:00.000-08:00

Took this picture today and I just can't believe how big these two are getting! Can I hit the pause button and just enjoy them as babies for a little longer....?

Um Yeah

2011-02-08T09:25:00.000-08:00

We went to the mall the other day to get out of the house and the kids insisted on stopping at the fountain. Noah helped himself to my wallet to find some pennies to throw. I think I am going to have my hands full with this one!

On Saturday we headed downtown for museum day. The WHOLE family hit the Railroad museum. Of course I had my camera which promptly died after like three pictures. These are the only ones that I got. Jen's two oldest and my two youngest ;)

Cody and Noah lookin super cute

This little gem I captured this morning. Noah had walked down the hall for some 'quiet time'. I found him just laying on the bed enjoying a good book.

It's almost Valentines day and under the current circumstances I am trying to think of something inexpensive (or even better...Free) to spoil my family with extra love next week. Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

My Happy Place

2011-02-03T10:38:00.000-08:00

If somebody asked me where is your happy place, you know that place that you retreat to physically or mental when things are challenging or just where you are the most happy and find the greatest comfort, I would say my family-without a doubt no second thoughts. While somedays my kids (and husband) may drive me crazy, there is NO place on earth that I am more happy and fulfilled then when I am with them! So here are a few of my favorite happy places from the last few weeks

1. The bathroom with my boys is a Happy Place! These two love to brush their teeth. In fact in the morning and at night they both stand at the baby gate screaming "Our teeth are dirty"! It always makes me smile how they stand on their little stools and brush away. Someday, this won't be the family affair that it is now and that makes me a little sad, but then I think...someday I'll be able to do this with their little babies! WOW!

2. Ethan's dancing takes me to a Happy Place! This kid has got mad skill! Some may see him 'shake his groove thing' and think 'do his parents let him watch MTV or something' but nope his moves are all his own! My favorite is when he break dances...

3. My husbands love of Michael Jackson is a Happy Place! It is odd, embarassing, and has often been shown off in public, but I do love that I don't have to hide my obsession with the king of pop! Our kids even love his music! Just don't ever ask Preston to do his Michael dance...it will be burned into your mind forever!

4. Family Time is a Happy Place! It is so much fun to get together with our family to do ridiculous stuff...(that's kind of our thing). On this occasion we hosted a Michael Jackson dance off tournament in honor of Preston's Birthday. (really I posted this photo because I love Preston's dance pose)

5. This kid is my Happy Place! He is funny, sweet, crazy, daring, chubby, and just all around perfect! I LOVE THIS KID!

6. Pictures are a Happy Place! This picture says so much to me... feel free to add your own caption, but I see a lot of "Mom what the heck are you doing to me" or "Stop looking at me, Haven't you ever seen a kid dressed like a monkey before?"

7. Cousins! Such a Happy Place! Ethan asks for one or all of his cousins everyday! He tells me that they are his best friends and that he wants to be with them forever.

8. My nieces and nephews are a Happy Place. We had Sarah and Greg over for a few hours the other day and I just love watching the kids play and loving on them! It is so nice to have family close and see them so often. It makes me miss our family that is far away even more.

9. Preston's outfit and hairdo selections for the children...HAPPY PLACE! Need I say more...

10. Time when my Munchies play together without screaming is one of my favorite Happy Places! This was last sunday, before conference, which by the way ended in me being not so happy with Ethan's outbust and Noah's attempt to overtake the pulpit, the kids were laughing so hard trying to pose for the camera with 3D glasses on.

11. Sleepy time is Happy Place time. Especially when I find my son with his toy backpack on his head while he sleeps!

12. These three are my heart and my perfect Happy Place! Even though I may be crazy or loose my patience took often, I love them with every fiber of my being and then some. Wouldn't change a thing about the decisions I have made to get me here. For all the wrong ones I know that I did three things right...Married a man of God, had an amazing son, and gave him a brother! I love you guys!

13. My newest Happy Place! Our newly redecorated bedroom, courtesy of my Mother. I love it and find that is is peaceful and calming for me after a crazy day chasing to boys who are incessantly trying to kill each other!

So where are your happy places? Share some things that make you smile...

New Normal

2011-01-24T07:54:00.001-08:00

Our new normal means:

Having Daddy home more

Long hours at the computer and on the phone

Eating breakfast together!

Asking lots of questions and not knowing the answers

Mommy has some extra help with her crazy boys

Getting used to a whole new schedule, hopefully only temporarily.

Today is the first full day of job searches and follow ups. We are hoping that things go well this week! In the meantime the kids are sure enjoying Daddy being around, but Ethan keeps asking why he isn't going to work. We told him last night that Daddy's job is different now, that instead of being gone all day, he will just be gone some of the day, and that in our prayers we should ask Heavenly Father for Daddy to find somewhere he can go 'all day'. It was a little heart breaking to have to explain something like this to him, but we did our best! Here's to a great day of job hunting!

PS Thank you for all the support from family, extended family, friends, friends of friends etc. We really appreciate the prayers, the kind words, the emails, and just feeling the love of those around us. I know that things won't be easy right now, but it really makes things a lot more bearable when we have so much love surrounding us!!!!

Emotions

2011-01-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

As of late emotions have been running rather high in our home. I have been so stressed that my journaling has been lacking and yet times of trials are when we should be the most diligent in journaling because when we look back those will be the moments we can learn the most from. It seems like since November every week has brought a new and interesting challenge to us. Some directly, and some indirectly. Whatever form these trials and challenges have been arriving in, the fact is they have been coming, without interruption. Now, I am not complaining, because having been here before I recognize that times like this are a starting point for big things if we will let them be. I guess I see it like this: Trials are an opportunity for Heavenly Father to show our love for us. Maybe that sounds a little confusing, but it really is what I think. I think he tests us, and allows for things to happen so that we can grow, learn to trust in him, and have faith that there is good in every bad thing. I always tell my husband as we are facing moments like this that Heavenly Father is loving us extra right now! Even though it seem like things are totally against us right now I need to take a moment to celebrate the lessons that Heavenly Father has seen fit to teach me.

1. Daily Scripture Study and Prayer will change everything-In November we made a renewed effort to study, alone and together, and make sure that we had family prayer twice a day. Now I know that is something we should have been doing, and somedays we were, but others we were letting life and excuses get in the way. I look forward to the quiet time with my family every night and am so impressed at how my little ones are learning and growing. I am thankful for a patient husband who has had to many times stop and teach me the scripture stories that I never knew.

2. Satan is real-This is something that I have always known but it is always the most clear to me when I am trying to make the right decisions. It is at those points in my life that he comes in so strongly to distract me from my goals, he forces contention into our home, throws temptations in our paths, etc. I have such a testimony of the fact that he does this because we are destined for greatness. Every time I feel him mounting an attack, I remind my family that it is because we are are trying to follow our Father. It isn't because we've done anything wrong, or because we deserve this pain more than someone else. If anything, the reason Satan is allowed to come at us is because Heavenly Father knows our spirits and know that within each of us is the power to shut Satan down. We chose to be here, to receive the blessings of a body and a family when he didn't. We always have that power and strength on our side.

3. Society WILL NOT determine my success-I can't take homes, money, cars, vacations, nice clothes, awesome 'stuff' with me so who cares? I am determined to find my success in my children, in my husband, in my faith. And if that means that I don't ever hit those milestones set by society, I am okay with that. As long as we are striving to magnify our talents and follow in path that those take us we will be okay. Now that doesn't mean that we don't want to do our best, I but think more people need to realize that how you define best, and I define best may be different and that's okay.

4. Prayers are indeed answered-in the past month I have received answers to my prayers through my bishop, family, my friends, strangers, missionaries, my children, my husband, my friend that lives on the other side of the world...the list goes on. But the thing that has impressed me the most is that my Heavenly Father knows me so well and sent me just what I needed every time. That is not to say that all these answers have been what I have wanted, in fact, more often than not in the past month I have received answers that have been discouraging and not at all what I was hoping. But in that is a lesson, a lesson to trust that HE knows far better than I what our family needs at this time in our lives.

5. My family is everything!-Even if we lost everything today and all I had left were my children and husband I would still be the richest woman ever. They are my true joy and happiness, not my home, or my things. I love that the first and last thing I do everyday is share a hug with my children and tell them how much I love them. It amazes me that Heavenly Father trusts us so much, has so much faith in us as his children, that he gives us the opportunity to raise, shape and teach the next generation of sweet spirits.

So I guess all of this is just to say that even though things are really rough right now and some days I feel like I want to just stay in bed or get sick from all the stress, I really have been learning, I have been growing. And even though every minute of everyday I might not remember the lessons I've learned, I have learned, and I am trying to heed those lessons well. I am so eternally thankful for the opportunity learn, grow, and change.

My little talker.

2011-01-12T19:59:00.000-08:00

(Journal Entry)

Just a quick note of the words we have caught Bear saying:

Robot..complete with cute robot hand motions

Grandma

Dad

Mom

Santa

Bye

Hello

Please

Cup

Bananna

Yeah

Just what I needed...

2011-01-10T15:24:00.000-08:00

Stumbled across a strangers blog today that touched me deeply. I felt that her post was so well written and conveyed such an honest message that I would be remiss if I didn't repost. I will say that it is amazing how Heavenly Father answers our prayers. Today, of all days, I needed this. The details of my challenges are not important, but I am so grateful to know that He is aware of my daily prayers and desires to learn, to grow, to be a better mother, a better wife, and most of all a better disciple of Christ. I am learning well that faith and trust are two very difficult things to master, but that through our desires to do so we are so blessed. While everything in our lives may not be on track, I am so grateful for the little things that I am continually blessed with. Thank you...http://agable-thoughts.blogspot.com/, not sure who you are exactly, other than an answer to a prayer.

So far, 2011 has been a year of trust for me. If 2010 was the year of worry, 2011 is a year of learning how to banish those worries with trust.
Warning: I'm about to get a little personal, a little spiritual. Don't read on if you're looking for something light.

I decided that I don't want to waste any of my time on worry this year. It's draining, it's not at all productive, and I just don't want it in my life. Every morning when I spend time with the Lord, He has been blessing me with passages on trust. Trust does not come easily to me, so fully relying on the Lord is such a challenge. But I'm doing it. Slowly but surely. And you know what? I feel oddly liberated. No matter what the worry, God's final answer to me is to TRUST that He works all things out for good for those that love Him.
For example, this month alone we have gotten some unexpected, somewhat scary bills. Bills that seem to have come out of nowhere. The old me would have wasted days worrying over why, how, etc. But now I don't want to do that any longer. I got out the calculator, managed things for the rest of this month, and paid the bills. At first I doubted that I could even understand things enough to take control of this situation. I suppose it would have been easier for me to hand things over to the hubs, let him take care of it all. But I'm learning that I don't need to fear this kind of stuff. God's got my back.

Choosing not to worry is a moment by moment thing. As a wife, a mother, etc., I have found that there will ALWAYS be something to worry over if I so choose. But that's just not a good way to live, not a good example for my son. I want him to see his momma as strong, as someone who strives to make the best out of life. I don't want him to see me modeling worry every day.

I can't control everything. I can't make things better for everyone. I'm not Jesus. What I can do is be smart about things, work as hard and as diligently as I can for my boys, and pray for God to pick up where I leave off. I TRUST that this is going to be a year of blessings for us. I am so excited to see what God is going to do in our lives this year. Stay tuned, friends.

MJ...THE EXPERIENCE

2011-01-10T10:12:00.000-08:00

On Friday we bought the MJ Experience Wii game and broke it in with Sarah, Greg, and the kids. What a blast! Love this game! Great music and amazing dancing. Thanks for the fun guys! ....As far as the pics, well, I think they speak for themselves!

(This one of Preston is my fav!)

And it's Wednesday!

2011-01-05T12:47:00.000-08:00

We needed a little fun today, so we headed out to Roseville to hit the park and story time, which was cancelled, but we had fun anyway. Thank you Grandma Sharon for a yummy breakfast, and playing with us at the park!

Riding the bug...complete with sound effects

Buzzz

My baby bee

Driving the bug...

Um? When did my little boy grow up? Doesn't he look so big in this picture?

Taking a break in the chair swing

Riding the caterpillar. I love E's face...total pout that he isn't in the front!

End of 2010...Start of 2011

2011-01-04T18:43:00.000-08:00

2010 Ended with a ...plop...right on my sister's head when we were at the fish hatchery. While she didn't find it too amusing, I was dying and made her stop so that I could take a picture before I cleaned her off! I was pretty freaking hilarious!

Miss Kate looking amazed at the exhibits at the fish hatchery. It brought back so many great memories going there with my Dad when we were kids. I think this will become a new after Christmas tradition for us.

My kid trying to be rebirthed via fish egg...

Chasers striking his GQ fish egg pose. Love this kid!

This is the only picture I snapped of E before church on Sunday. He is now officially in Primary! Where did the time go? He did okay for sharing time but once it was time for class he kind of lost it. Really though, it's my fault. I didn't prepare him for the change at all. After church I took him to his new classroom to meet his new teacher, his classmates, and see how fun his new class is. I think we will have better success next week...wish us luck!

Only in Cali for Christmas

2010-12-28T07:51:00.000-08:00

Some of you probably spent your Christmas eve buried in snow....not us! We spent the morning at the park with the kids playing in the sand and on the toys. It was so nice to have Preston home for the day and just enjoy a quiet morning playing with the kids together. I love that Christmas in California is cold, maybe foggy, occasionally rainy...but rarely snowy. In the 30 years I've lived here I can only remember maybe three times we got a dusting at my house. For me, sunshine is perfect Christmas weather!

E building his city

Noah testing out the slides

So fun!

So Christmas Eve this year we went to Sarah and Greg's for goodies. I was so busy enjoying the food that I didn't take any pictures. The kids feel asleep in the car on the way home and Mom and Dad worked hard to unload all the goodies Santa had dropped off in our closet. :)

Our little Christmas for the kids-We have been melding together family traditions that he grew up with and things that I grew up with to make our holiday's special. So the kids get their stockings and Santa gifts unwrapped in a pile to run out to Christmas morning, and then wrapped gifts under the tree. They were so excited-but really I think Preston and I had the most fun planning, shopping, wrapping, and setting it all up. Best tip for a quiet Christmas morning...before wrapping toys unhook them from the packaging, install all batteries, and then replace in the box for wrapping. This eliminates all the "can I open it" and "faster" and Mom and Dad having to apologize for not being able to get the screws off fast enough.

Noah's Santa pile...too bad Santa didn't get the right size sweats...he thought that 18-24 months would fit a 16 month old...

E's Santa pile

6:00 Am Christmas morning

Checking out the goodies

Noah petting his new puppy toy

Check Noah out in the background

And now check out Ethan

Mommy and her Bear

E and his new super cool Tractor that came with...wait for it...a mute button for parents! Best marketing ever!!!

Noah singing to the little construction man

Opening presents

After we finished our morning we headed over to Grandma Stauffer's for more family time and more presents.

E enjoying his new 3D viewfinder... man those have come a long way since I was a kid.

Our surprise gift from Mom and Dad S!!!

Sarah with her thrilled face! LOL! Love this pic Sarah.

Ah, the newlyweds all snuggly...

This is where we found E at about 5:30 on Christmas Day, poor kid was so tired out from all the excitement.

Wishing you all the best of the Holiday Season and a very Happy and Blessed New Year!!!

What a year.

2010-12-22T08:31:00.000-08:00

All I can say is that this year has been a lot! A lot of laughs, cries, fear, stress, happiness, joy, pain, heartache, and love. Heavenly Father has taught me a lot of lessons this year and is continuing to 'love' (aka test) my family and our strength in so many ways. I am so grateful that I can walk through this life knowing that have a mother who has the strength of a giant, sisters who love unconditionally and have rushed to my aid countless times, and a brother who while going through huge trials of his own, finds time to call me and see how I am doing. I love ending my year with our 'family only' dinner just spending time with my siblings sans hubbies and kids. It reminds my how much love I am surrounded with and how wise our Heavenly Father is. We are so blessed with relationships that meet our needs and fulfill us in different ways: A husband for a companion, a child to care for and teach us unconditional love, a sister to comfort in a time of need, a mother to love unconditionally, a father to give us peace, friends to warm our hearts, wards to lift our spirits, Bishops to counsel...the list goes on and on. What an intricate web of love we each have woven! I'm so thankful for the times of peace and the times of tribulation in my life because the constant in both situation is the love that I feel from those around me and most especially from my Heavenly Father.

Girls dinner, Jen with her classic stink face!

The eye...

My classic cheesy grin pic...we take one every year

"Get that camera out of my face"

Looking good Mama!

Packed Up and Moved Out

2010-12-16T09:37:00.000-08:00

So last night was it...the night the Humbert's packed up and headed out for their new life in Idaho. We are super sad to see them go, but excited for the new things ahead of them. We decided to try to keep things fun and pack up the kids, Cari & Jen for some frozen yogurt, a little tradition we've had. Walking out the the van I saw the truck and trailer and my heart sank...stupid Uhaul.

Poor kiddos, they won't even remember how much fun they've had together. Watching them play for one last time was really tough. They are pretty much like siblings since we see her everyday. I am dreading when he starts asking for her.

The owner made Noah a little mini kid sundae. He went to town!

Two spoons to expedite the eating process.

One last picture with the kiddos!

Zoe was being quite the ham last night

And of course we can't forget our lovely dinner guests! Cari and Jen came for the evening! It was so fun seeing them both and we just love getting to know Cari. Brandon has a great friend in her. And Jen...your salad was so YUM! Thanks for spending the evening with us eating, laughing, eating some more, and entertaining crazy kiddos! Oh and thanks for cramming in the back of the van with the baby seat!

Winding down for the night while Holly and Ryan finished up. Last movie night picture!

Saying goodbye. At this point I couldn't stop crying. They just kept giving hugs and saying "I'll come play with you in Idaho"

Break my heart....

Wishing you a safe trip guys! Hopefully we can see each other soon!

2008

2010-12-13T09:23:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

I am finally up to date on my photo books! I have scored big time this year and haven't paid for a single one. In the past few months I've order 07, 08, 09, a mini summer book, and a mini book of Noah's first year all for FREE! I have one more freebie for my 2010 book and then I'll have to start looking for my freebie for 2011!

More lights, More fun!

2010-12-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we took an impromptu trip to Pleasant Hill to visit Preston's cousin Toni and her husband Matt! Thanks for being such gracious hosts on such short notice! We hit the road in the morning and made it in time for church at Grandma and Grandpa Stauffer's old ward. It was really nice to hear that at the Christmas party on Saturday they had a tribute to Grandpa. After church we headed over to Matt and Toni's for a Sunday dinner complete with Noah falling out of a chair. We had so much fun visiting and playing with the kids. Thanks you guys for letting the kids tear apart your christmas tree, watch sing a longs, play on your bed, and destroy your table cloth! Before we headed out to the temple we took some fake family photos for Toni and Matts Christmas Card...LOL!

Awe...aren't they the cutest little family :)

When we drove up to the temple I told E "E look there is the Temple!", E's response..."Mom that's not the temple. That's Christmas Time!"

Preston's up close artistic shot of E

Look at Noah's face...could he be any more bored!

Toni Matt and E. Seriously you two, my kids love you!

It was so beautiful

Toni telling E about Jesus in the visitors center

Again...what's with the sad faces kiddos?

The live nativity. E was a little bummed that there weren't real sheep and cows.

My artistic shot for the night.

Preston just carrying Noah, stroller and all down the stairs. Look closely at Noah' face!

Toni made a little game with Ethan and the fountain. Totally innnocent, but you know how kids are..always have to take it to the next level. Eventually the discussion when something like this, "Ethan stop putting your hands in the water" "But Mom it's okay" "Ethan, that is Jesus' water, you leave it alone right now!"...Don't judge me.

My little Noah, just taking it all in

Me and my honey!

Other highlights of the day:

"Ethan look there is the bart train"

"Bark Bark Bark Woof! Go Bark train"

"Mom, it's snowing outside"

"No bubba, that's fog."

"Where are the stars?"

"Behind the fog honey"

"The frogs ate the stars?"

All in all it was a great day with a great family! Thank you so much for being so sweet to us! Love you guys!

2009 Photobook

2010-12-13T08:55:00.001-08:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Loving this Month!

2010-12-12T08:25:00.000-08:00

Thursday night Preston and I took the kids over to Dovewood to walk the Ct. and see the lights. This is the only pictures I snapped, I was enjoying the kids to much to think about photos!

Friday night we had our goodbye dinner with the Humberts. We took them to Chicago Fire Pizza in Folsom. We had a great time laughing, eating, and enjoying christmas music! This couple is pretty much AWESOME! We are sad to see them go, but so excited for all the new adventures ahead of them. They have been such a blessing for us as a couple, as individuals, and for our kids. I am hoping that Ethan and I don't cry too much next week at not being able to just run upstairs to see Holly and Zoe. So since I am a weenie and can't get through emotional stuff without crying...here my goodbyes:

Ryan: You are an amazing man and strength to your family. Thank you for being such a great friend to my husband and for being an awesome home teacher. Over the years you have stepped up for our family in ways that go way above and beyond the call of friendship. I am going to miss your one liners, your movies quotes with Preston, your laugh, and your awesome cooking! You are going to rock at BYUI and we can't wait to hear about how awesome you are doing up there!

Zoe: I feel as if you are a member of our family. While I can't have my own little girl right now, I have been so blessed with you in my life. You are such a light of love and happiness. I love your cute little outfits, your curls, and the way you always look like you have played the hardest of any kid ever. I will miss our hugs, our high fives, making you snacks, movie nights, and seeing you and E come up with cute little games to entertain yourselves. Thanks for being so good to E and Noah. I know how much you all love each other and I hope that as you get older and make new friends that you all will remember this wonderful time in your lives. I am so blessed to have been touched by your sweet little spirit.

Holly: What can I say? We have a rare type of friendship one that I don't know I will ever find again. You have become a part of my family in the few short years we have known each other. Thank you for loving my family as if it were your own. I have always felt as if something happened you would be the first to step in and help with my kids, my husband, or even me. You have come to my aid countless times, you have been an answer to prayers, a ministering angel, a confidant, a counselor, a referee, a shoulder to cry on, a quiet listener while I scream. YOu will never know the ways in which you have helped me, I don't think that I can express it. All I can say is Heavenly Father knew...HE knew what I needed and sent me you. I love you and I will miss you too much to think about, but this is not the end!

Funny Phone Phrases

2010-12-09T09:31:00.000-08:00

This post was really my Mom and Grandma's idea. They are always laughing at the things that I say to my kids while I am on the phone. Mom suggested I write them down just for a good laugh. So enjoy...these are a few of my favorites from the past 24 hours. Let me just preface by saying 'boys will indeed by boys'!

Ethan, get the whale out of your butt, your brother sleeps with that! I don't care if your pretending it's your tail.

Noah knives are not toys!

Do NOT sit on your brother!

Why do you insist on hugging the christmas tree? Haven't you knocked it down enough times already!

Your toy box is not a roller coaster.

Noah stop trying to ride the vacuum!

Noah stop renaming my files on the computer, go use your own dang computer!

Get out the garbage can! Didn't your mother teach you any manners!

It's December Baby!

2010-12-07T17:33:00.001-08:00

So, let's see. I haven't updated in a while so let me just journal a few quick things. Awesome dance recital for the hubby last week. Yes you read right, he preformed Tai Chi at a dance recital for extra credit in his class. No pictures but I will tell you it was an interesting night. An event that he described as quiet, very small, just a few classes, and free ended up being 50+ acts, 500+ people, a donation at the door, and at least 2+hours. Needless to say people took pity on me and let me not pay the donation without making a mockery of me and the sweet girls at the refreshment table took pity on my 97cents for a $1 cookie to keep my kids happy until dinner. Thankfully, he made it up to me this past weekend. We went on a date for lunch and a movie. Again, no pictures, but really can you blame me? Quality one on one time is so rare for us..who wants to waste it taking pictures when we could be staring intently in one another's eyes....or making out....whatever! :) Sunday was E's first day visiting primary. He doesn't officially start going until January, but he did really good. Except for the part where he barked...yes barked at someone. That was awkward. Sunday we had awesomeness with the Humbert's...only one more Sunday with them :( Class was cancelled for E today so we improvised...hence the posting of silly videos. These were actually from the other day but they are cute. Enjoy!

28 Days and counting

2010-11-27T07:20:00.000-08:00

I love the day the fun that Thanksgiving brings! Lots of family time and lots of laughs. We still do double duty for thanksgiving (eating twice) so the day after we just stay home, relax and decorate the tree with the kids. We had so much fun doing nothing yesterday! Today we are off to family breakfast since my Aunt and Uncle are in town for the baby blessing. Then tomorrow, little Brayden has his big day!

The kids enjoying the Thanksgiving Day Parade. They sat like this for like 2 hours! I love that they enjoyed it, the parade was always a big deal with my family.

Playing in Mom's tupperware...look closely, he managed to sit it the tupperware!

Kids hanging out in front of the tree

Okay, best picture ever! Ethan got a hold of the stockings and thought they were a Santa outfit. He ran down the hall and came out like this! He was so proud of himself and was talking in a Santa voice asking everyone what they wanted for Christmas. The trick was that you had to say something that we had in the house so that he could give it to you. So cute!

The boys being festive!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

I am going to miss that little one so much, she is just an extension of our family. But I am so grateful for the time the kids have left to make me smile!

Grateful Gobbles #25

2010-11-25T09:41:00.001-08:00

#25-Festivals of Eating!!Yum! Enjoy everybody!

Grateful Gobbles #24

2010-11-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

#24 A phone! Today I had my first "this is what it is going to be like when Holly is gone" moment. Let me back up and describe my day so that you can fully appreciate this...

Up at 7 am out the door by 8:30. Go get gas, head to grocery store. Buy 2 items, loose 1 childs beanie, decide to cut my losses and leave it behind, E throws a huge fit refusing to go back with out the hat, go back into the grocery store to find hat, chase down a forklift driving around with it, back to car for carseats round 2, lost notebook...scour car...left it behind, pick up Nana, do 12 loads of laundry, break for lunch and naps, resume said laundry and nana entertaining until 3pm, take Nana home, go to library, fight two children to pick books and not destroy said library, go to the bookstore to buy a birthday gift for my niece, endured a 45 minute meltdown because we had to leave said bookstore which has a Thomas the Train table for kids (ie NOT SMART BOOKSTORE), come home with a cranky kid who is now throwing a fit because we left the store, he left his toy in the car, he wants his Dad, he doesn't want to play, he wants cartoons...and so on. Fast forward 1 hour, I am now folding aforementioned TWELVE loads of laundry while children are semi-happily playing. E is running up and down the hall and Noah is playing in the kitchen cupboards...Enter the cheese grater. Noah holding a cheese grater in his mouth+Ethan running=major bleeding! I of course try to see where Noah is bleeding and if his teeth are okay and he is fighting me so out the door I head to Holly's to find no one home. I totally started crying right there realizing that is what it is going to be like in just a few weeks, I won't be able to just run up the stairs for help when my life feels like it is out of control! But, I was saved by the phone. A quick call to my Mom and over she came to check out Noah and make sure that everything was okay. I am grateful that I could call someone and have the help that I needed! Some days it is the little things that really make me happy.

Grateful Gobbles #23

2010-11-23T19:09:00.000-08:00

#23 Arts & Crafts Time! Love rainy days because we get to do fun things to pass the time. It is the only time E will sit still to do something with me. If the sun is shinning that kid wants to be outside...he is just like his Dad! I am not the most creative Mom, but we have fun trying new things out. Today, E was lucky enough to have his cousins over for the day. Once the babies went down for naps we got out paints and paper and made Indian outfits to celebrate Thanksgiving. They looked so cute! Thanks for letting me be your Mommy kiddo!

Grateful Gobbles #22

2010-11-23T07:41:00.000-08:00

Gratitude: “...begets love and friendship, and engenders divine influence. (It) is said to be the memory of the heart” President Joseph F. Smith Who are you most grateful for today? This was posted on Mormon.org and I couldn't agree more that this is the perfect question for today. Since in previous posts I have already expressed my Gratitude for my husband, family, and friends, I would like to take this time to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is such a comfort to me that amidst the trials and temptations of this world I am able to have the surety that I am divine in nature. And that no matter what there is always some to stand by my side and support me through my most difficult moments. Having lost my earthly father at a very young age, I have leaned on my Heavenly Father for so much. He has never let me down. Things may not of have happened in a way that I was prepared for, but in every case, lessons were learned, prayers answered, heartaches healed, and sins forgiven. His unconditional love is an example to me everyday. His 'parenting method' is our greatest example with our own children. I am so grateful to have the knowledge of his love and to have such an intimate relationship with my souls creator. However, that relationship would not be possible without the love and sacrifice of my brother Jesus Christ. My own brother would do anything for me, and over the years has proven this time and time again. It is so humbling to me to know that I am loved so much and so deeply, that my success in life is so important that someone was willing to give up their life to make it possible. I am grateful for the opportunity to live this life, to make mistakes, to learn and grow, to become a mother and bring more choice spirits here to be tested and tried. I am indeed thankful and pray that I can strive daily to show my love for my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ by becoming an instrument in their hands.

Grateful Gobbles #21

2010-11-22T06:53:00.000-08:00

#21 Peaceful Sundays-Today was a great day! The kids may not have been perfect, but we were able to spend some quality time together as a family. This evening we had dinner with the Humberts. The kids played games (I am thankful for bingo and I spy Nephi) while we all watched and laughed. Holly and I made cookies with the kids, a somewhat pathetic attempt at turkey cookies, but we had so much fun! I want all my Sunday's to be like this with the kids-just happy and centered on church stuff. After Holly and Ryan left, Ethan asked to read scriptures with us. We found some short passages for him to recite for us. It is so amazing how much he is connecting with in the gospel now!

Grateful Gobbles #20

2010-11-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

#20 I didn't know exactly what I was going to list today until I started going through some boxes that have been in storage. Preston was nice enough to be out in the wind pulling them out for me but was complaining that they were really heavy. I'll admit, I probably haven't looked in them for a few years so I couldn't exactly pin point what would make them so heavy. Come to find out they were boxes of special memorabilia from my education. So today I am grateful for the gift of knowledge. Enter exhibits A, B, and C.

Exhibit A-For some sadistic reason I had kept all of my study cards from college...EVERY SINGLE ONE, or at least every one pertaining to anthropology.

Exhibit B-Four years of my life in notecards...I wonder if this could be considered modern art?

Exhibit C-A relative size comparison since I don't think you can really understand how many notecards I had saved!

So why am I thankful for notecards? These cards represent the hard work of so many people. Myself, my parents, my professors, fellow humans who have heeded the call to use our time on this earth wisely, to learn and to grow. College was a great time in my life. I didn't always make the beset decisions but I found myself during that time. I found that I am capable of so much, I found that the mind truly is a terrible thing to waste, I found out that Boas coined a term called Historical Particularism (the study of particulars is a necessary pre-requisite to the formulation of a generalization about cultural evolution)....yeah I know Anthropology is not for everyone. While I don't remember even 1/4 of everything on those cards I know that if I spent a day or two looking over them things would start coming back...that is the gift of the mind. What a generous creator we have to give us such powerful tools to learn and to grow. I am so grateful for my schooling, my teachers, professors, mentors, and loved ones who have given me insights, and knowledge that can never be taken away. Our minds are such a precious place, they retain and remember every experience, sound, smell, thought, like little files in a computer. We would be wise to remember that when we are choosing what to put in it.

Grateful Gobbles #19

2010-11-19T08:47:00.000-08:00

GIRLS NIGHTS!-First off I am grateful to have a husband who both supports this idea and encourages it. I love that he insists that I have some 'girl time' every few weeks. It works out great since he doesn't get a lot of one on one time with the kids...it's a win-win! Last night was our last pre-baby, pre-move dinner at Elephant bar. We had a ton of fun chatting about life, clothes, motherhood, and all the upcoming changes. I would like to note that our waiter, while very friendly, had this odd habit of commenting on everything left on your plate. Both times he cleared Amanda's dishes he said something about her food..."Huh, you don't like cherry tomatoes? or Guess you don't like spinach?" It was kind of weird. Anyways for more fun read HOLLY'S post...although she did leave out the awesome girl with tattoos on her knees! LOL!

PS Picture courtesy of Holly, via some random waiter who apparently has never used a camera before!

Grateful Gobbles #18

2010-11-18T08:40:00.000-08:00

Genealogy: Last night I had the opportunity to go through some of my grandmother genealogy and mark some photos of family long past. Our family has a rich history on the Will side. My Grandmother's line has been traced back 7 or 8 generations! It was so neat to look at the history of my family, their origins, where they settled, families and so on. I was able to look at pictures last night of my 3rd Great Grandfather in his Union uniform. He lived through the civil war-something not very common!

Birth:	May 14, 1830 Adams County Pennsylvania, USA
Death:	Mar. 10, 1890
Son of Emanuel & Sarah Wierman Heikes ("Heiges" and "Heikes" are almost interchangeable) and the husband of Leah Weidner Heiges. Was living in Stoney Creek Township, Randolph County, by 1870 where the 1880 census spells his name "Heekes." (In Pennsylvania, it it pronounced Hi-kes.) A Civil War veteran, who enlisted in Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA, February 22, 1864, and served at the rank of private with Co. C, 3rd Pa Artillery (152nd Pa), until his honorable discharge July 26, 1865.

Burial: Windsor Cemetery Windsor Randolph County Indiana, USA

Grateful Gobbles

2010-11-17T11:06:00.000-08:00

So I am usually more on top of my Gratitude lists for Thanksgiving, but alas this year I have dropped the preverbal ball. So while others of my dear friends have been diligently posting daily with excellent explanations and visual aids, you, my lucky blog friends, will have to settle for my lame little catch up list:

1. Family-close and far! This month has been a wonderful time of love and reconnection!

2. Having our needs fulfilled-we may not always have extras but I am so grateful that the Lord sees fit to make sure that our needs are met in every way. It has been a relief in this economy to have a home, car, benefits, and food. Truly a blessing!

3. Awesome Moms-E started preschool this year and I couldn't be happier for the environment he is able thrive in! These Mom's are so grounded in the gospel and have held my children while they were crying, helped them learn, and been such amazing examples in every way. Thank you Renee, Heather, Steph, & Melissa!

4. Cherished Friendships-When you are young you measure your self by how many friends you have...as an adult you measure yourself by the quality of friends you have. I am so blessed to have Five of the most amazing friends anyone could ask for. They have been with me through so much. They have let me cry, they have fed me, clothed my, taken my kids at the drop of a hat, but most of all they have loved me, they have taught me, and they have humbled me. Amy, Holly, Al, Jar, and Kim you are all amazing and I am so blessed that you have trusted me with your hearts.

5.Ward Family- Our ward pretty much rocks! I love the inspiration that flows through the leadership. They are great men in and of themselves, but they are greater men for following Heavenly Father and letting him show them how to guide and direct our ward. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful friendships with my brothers and sisters in Fair Oaks Third Ward.

6. My Husband- This year has been a test of strength for him and he has continued to rise above everything thrown his way. He is a great man who quietly teaches me daily. I am lucky to have someone by my side who can put up with my craziness!

7. Smiles- My boys have the best smiles! It can light up my day, week, month, or year! I am so thankful for this simple expression of joy that our Heavenly Father has given us. Can you imagine a world where we couldn't smile? BORING!!!

8. The internet-it is so great to be able to reach out to millions of LDS families all over the world to get ideas for how to teach my class at church or FHE with the kids! What a blessing.

9. Talents- I am thankful for my own talents but also those of others. The musical talents of some have changed my life, the crafting talents of others have blessed my children, the talents of patience and compassion have changed me for the better. Thank you to all of you how embrace and magnify your talents for others to learn and grow from.

10. The Gospel- The church is true...enough said.

11. Motherhood-WOW! What a life changing experience. I have loved every second of it! Everyday is a new adventure and I love taking it with E and N.

12. A second car-I have a whole new appreciation for being able to share the days out and about with my kids! 3 years of being homebound had done me in!

13.Missionaries- I have such admiration for those who give up everything to serve the Lord. I especially have a soft spot for Elder B. Stauff who is serving so diligently!

14. QUBO Channel- I am not one to plop my kids in front of the TV but I am glad that this is the only cartoon channel we get. Every story has a moral and some of them even have children praying. I am so thankful that a station like this exists and that my kids can benefit from it.

15. The organization of the church-I was able to order my father's patriarchal blessing this month...wow! Thank you Heavenly Father for establishing a house of such order!

16. Temple service-What a blessing to have a temple so close! I am so thankful every time I can enter and serve in such a humbling capacity.

17. Tai Chi- Preston is taking Tai Chi this semester for his PE credit for his AA. He is so much less stressed! This class has change the feeling in our home and has allowed our nights to be more peaceful and filled with the spirit!

So from here on out I will be posting daily! Check back!

For your viewing pleasure....

2010-11-16T21:40:00.000-08:00

First Birthday party...it was superhero themed, here he is practicing his super hero stance. Nobody would dare steal his tractor

Snack time, Capri Suns, Ethan's response "Mom, what is this?"

Baby Brayden...just because he is cute! At two months he still weighs less than Ethan at birth.

First dentist visit-he did awesome!

Checking out the Lion bunny

Cooking it up in the 'Restaurant'

Noah and London getting in on the action

Miss Renee are you brushing your teeth the right way?

I need to consult about a case...

Singing their made up songs for the WHOLE world to hear...I am surprised we didn't get kicked out!

Momma and her boys

"I'm gonna drive a boat when I'm older"

Attack of the cookie monster

Enjoying the perfect southern jambalaya!

First PAID babysitter...

2010-11-16T21:18:00.000-08:00

A few things to remember:

Conversation between me and E at Sams Club Tonight:

E: Mom I want to eat here.

M: No buddy, then Daddy would have to eat all alone.

E: You call Dad and tell him to race over here and we'll all eat here okay?

Driving to Sams:

E:Mom are we going to the Club store?

M: Yeah baby we are.

E: We're gonna buy a BIG TOY!

M: No baby they don't really have toys at the club store.

E: Mom you need to talk to the man and make them have toys for me at the club store Okay?

A First: Ethan had his first paid job today...Sit in the crib with Noah and 'babysit' for 10 minutes while Mom did the dishes...he earned a quarter. He wants to spend it on a BIG TRUCK

Some cute quotes:

E: Mom I need to take a shower to wash my butt off...it stinks!

M: Buddy, I am sad you didn't eat your dinner. There are some kids whose Mommies and Daddies don't give them dinner.

E: Mom, that's making me sad.

E: Mom can Grandma Stauffer come over to play with me today? (Grandma G he sure does miss you)

(At Walmart)

E:Mom, there is a box of cars over there...Noah needs one. (Noah has since held the car once...Ethan hasn't let it go)

(During FHE)

M:On the first day God created....(ETC through all 7). Can you count them?

E: 1,2,3....and so on.

M: What is your favorite thing that God created?

E: Picks up the number one day and night.

M: What did God make for Mommy?

E: Hands me the picture of Adam and Eve...

New happenings:

Ethan is taking an interest in getting dressed on his own....He spent the whole day in his transformer costume...

Noah walks EVERYWHERE!

Noah HATES his highchair

Noahs favorite way to express himself is now by scream/grunt to get you to understand

Halloween

2010-11-08T08:36:00.000-08:00

This post is a little out of order, sorry! But hey, better late than never right? Before I get to the pictures just some quick journaling-last week was tough but awesome! First, thank you to the special people in my life who made things a little easier and more bearable. Especially my husband who wrote me this sweet note in response to my blog post:

I love you! I can’t imagine the emotions that you feel in remembering your father’s passing. What I experienced with losing my Grandfather is different, I know. This was the first time I had to really deal with losing a close loved one and it pains me inside to think that he is not here. I often have to refocus and think about what time I will be able to spend with him in the future, what he will be able to teach me and all that we will have to talk about. Having that knowledge of being eternally bound to families makes all the difference in the world. I often try to play out in my mind what it will be like meeting again and the joy and excitement that it will bring. Experiencing loss is a necessary step in learning how to have a genuine give and take relationship of love and trust. There is no way anyone can experience true joy otherwise. Many say that we are here to be tested. I believe that is kind of missing the point. We are not sent here to experience the anxiety of an immanent passing or failing grade. That kind of paints a picture of God that is a bit harsh. We are sent here to experience the pain of separation and the joy of reunion with both a loving Heavenly Father and an eternally bound family. It is about building relationships of trust and love that continually grows as we increase in intimate knowledge of our loving relationships. That is why we are so motivated to learn all the attributes, actions and plans of God. When we do this, we increase in our knowledge of him and who he is, that we may love him more. Why do you think that we are encouraged to spend so much quality family time. As we learn more of our loved ones and foster a more healthy family dynamic, our trust grows and with that our love. Love is the great motivator and the great achievement. It is love that never fails. I love you and hope that this day can be salvaged and seen for the true benefit that it is. This day comes every year as a reminder that you had an earthly father full of compassion and love for his family. It causes you to reflect on the loving relationship that you had developed with him. It would be a sad thing if this day came and passed with no memory at all. Try to focus on the joy and anticipation of a future heavenly reunion. It is true what they say, “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

I am so blessed to have a sweet husband who keeps things in eternal perspective and loves so unconditionally.

Second, yesterday was awesome! I love our ward and the sweet spirit that dwells there. Church yesterday was powerful. Several members bore moving testimonies that I am sure sent the adversary to his knees. What a blessing to be a member of the True church and to have such an intimate relationship with both my Father in Heaven and my Brother and Savior Jesus Christ. I am not one to bear witness in testimony meeting, as I pretty much can't control my emotions, so I thought I would take a minute to express my thoughts and feelings.

I know that my Savior lives! I have witnessed and continue to witness the power of the atonement and know that through him and his sacrifice I can be made whole. I have been blessed with the sacred knowledge that I was created by a Heavenly Father who loves me and continues to care for me, worry for me, bless me, and test me. I am grateful for my family, for the human experience of love, joy, peace, but also for trials, for moments of weakness, for sadness. It is through these gifts that we are able to know what life is all about and our purpose for being here. I am grateful for the gift of the temple and that my husband righteously serves there and blesses our family through his faithfulness. While I am not as well acquainted with the scriptures as I should be, I am indeed grateful for their continued application in my life. The are indeed fountains of knowledge from which I should draw more often. I am grateful for my husband and children and for the love that we share in our home. I am thankful for their sweet spirits who silently teach me to be a better woman, mother, companion, and disciple of Christ. In the name of Jesus Christ, even the Savior of the world, Amen.

Also, attended an awesome fireside last night about becoming Perfected in Christ! Loving Brother Watkins parallels of our body to the temple! Blew my mind! I'll share more on that later.

I'll close with some pictures of Halloween and my cute little munchies! They had so much fun at the ward activity! We are so fortunate to be able to share these moments with them! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Stauffer who spent the evening with us and took the fabulous photos!

Noah aka puppy

The fireman and his Dalmation

Enjoying some cider

pumpkin cookies with the family!

Frozen in time

2010-11-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

21 years later and it still is hard to get through the day. I think as I get older I grieve his passing in different ways. When I was a child experiencing this, I was sad that I didn't have a Dad like the other kids, that I had to go to the Daddy Daughter dance with my Grandpa, that he wasn't there to laugh and play like he used to be. Now, as I look at my husband and children I think, would he be proud of me? Would he enjoy my children? I feel him missing at every birthday, holiday, blessing, and birth. I wonder what it would be like to know him now, as an adult-to have a conversation with him. I know that we will be together again, and I know that for him the separation has been just a moment, and I know that he is aware of me, my family, my children, and my wonderful husband. But somedays, especially today, all that fades from the forefront and I just wish things could be different. I wish that I could call him on the phone and hear the voice that I have long forgotten, I wish that I could see him for real rather than looking at a picture of someone who has become a stranger to me, I wish that I could see him hold my children and impart his words of wisdom, take them fishing for the first time, teach them how to hunt, and most of all how to enjoy hot chocolate and french fries. I wish that he could share with them his crazy stories of blowing up train cars, meeting their Grandma for the first time, show them his 'pumpkin face' (ie taking out his dentures), and teaching them how to have a proper food fight!Maybe I am more sensitive this year since we just lost Grandpa Stauffer, or maybe I am just more emotional as a Mom than I ever was before; whatever the reason, today is a hard day, and I am grateful to know that I will not have to mourn this day forever-For one day we will have these moments and share the joy of being together.

A Week In Photos

2010-10-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

Not much time for updates, but we have been on the go the past week. Grandpa Stauffer passed last week and we were privileged to go to his funeral service in Utah and spend some time with most of Preston's extended family. It was a wonderful time remembering the life of a great man with whom we all have wonderful memories. For those of you who are family reading this...email me if there are any pictures that you want of the viewing or church service, I am happy to send them.

E and his preschool class a the Pumpkin patch

Daddy P's birthday at Red Lobster

Sporting the bib!

At the viewing, the flowers people sent were beautiful!

A tribute to Grandpa

Memories

At the luncheon after-Brett Stauffer Family

The kids and Grandma

Trunk or Treat in Layton

Wrestling with big brother

Snowball fight

Making new friends

Halloween masks

Snowball for Noah

Ready Aim Fire!

Uncle Brett's special hat for Ethan

At Temple Square

So beautiful

Cheese

Girls night at Gateway!

Day 1

2010-10-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

So here is the first pictures of the boys riding in the new van! Can you tell how excited they look? They really do love it! Noah likes being able to see out the window and Ethan loves the DVD player (which I still need to learn how to work). We are all adjusting to this new found freedom and are loving being able to go out during the day...so a few perks I've found in just 24 short hours:

1) I no longer have to depend on others for rides to appointments, meetings, etc.

2) No more night grocery shopping!!!!!

3) Having power sliding doors is AWESOME!!!

4) I can fit more than 1 adult in my car when going somewhere!

I'm sure as time passes I will find even more joys in this van!

New to us amazingness!!!!

2010-10-09T20:18:00.000-07:00

Well, after being a single car family for 4 years we finally have a second car in the family! A new to us Honda Odyssey with 66K miles! We got a great deal from a great family and we love it! Unfortunately we can't make the transaction until Tuesday but we are super excited! Bonus features...DVD player!, Power dual sliding doors (push button so awesome!), stow and go seats, leather interior, and heated seats in the front! Bonus moment...I made the seller cry! Yes, I actually sobbed when we decided on the car and the guy got really emotional with me and says "It's okay, my wife is a therapist I'm really good at all this emotional stuff" LOL!

We are really excited for our little family to have taken this step and can't wait for you all to see it! For now, here are some pictures that I took...while crying...of our new to us car!

The whole package...it's silver in case you can't tell

The front end looking in

Second row seats

Dash, driver & passenger

Handy Dandy DVD Player for kids

MY VIEW FROM MY DRIVERS SEAT OF MY CAR!!!

Trunk and view inside the car(and yes, there are rear head rests, they were just removed so that we could fold the seat down)

Grandpa Stauffer

2010-10-04T18:20:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we were blessed with the opportunity to go to Utah to visit Preston's Grandparents. Grandpa isn't in good health so this may have been our last visit. While I don't have a lifetime of memories with him I am honored to know him. Both of Preston's Grandparents are some of the most genuine people I have ever met and have such an amazing relationship. It was a special time watching him and Grandma with the kids and sharing our love for them. They have both meant so much to our family! I know that this weekend was tough for the whole family but what a blessing to have been together, so many of us at one time, to honor such a tremendous man. I spent most of the weekend just taking things in not taking pictures, but here are a few that I did snap:

Grandma just hanging out with the boys

Grandpa, Pres, and the kids

Preston taking over Grandpas tradition of wheelbarrow rides.

The kiddos bonding with Aunt Lindsey, aka the baby whisperer!

Monkey See Monkey Do

2010-09-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

I spent my day yesterday trying to keep the kids out of the kitchen cabinet. Yup, they finally figured out that they can take the tupperware out and climb inside and play hide and go seek. While it was really annoying me because they wouldn't stop fighting over whose turn it was to get inside...I couldn't resist this picture! Shortly after this, the cupboard was taped shut! LOL!

Birthday Boy

2010-09-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

Our little E turned 3 this week! There was kind of a lot going on this week but we tried to make E feel special and have a nice day. On tuesday Preston's family came over to have cake with E. I mentioned to him in the afternoon that they were coming and he asked me if I got the white cake with elephants...HUH? He proceeded to get frustrated with me and said that he told me he wanted elephants at his party. Um okay? So needless to say I spent the next hour rushing to make elephant decorations for him so that he wouldn't be disappointed. His best reaction for the night was when opening his socks from Grandma Linda. You would think we make this kid walk on glass all day-he was so happy about those darn socks!

The cake complete with Elephant

Elephant masks for the kids to play with

Opening presents

On Thursday, his actual birthday, we had preschool in the morning and took treats to share with the class!

Thursday night, he decided that he wanted McDonalds for dinner and then we headed to Sunsplash so that he could ride the indy cars with Daddy!

Waiting to hit the track

Playing Disney DDR at Sunsplash...SO CUTE!

Thank you to everyone for making his day so special! E got lots of nice phone calls and special notes! He is one lucky kid to have so many people who love and care for him!

Friends and Family

2010-09-20T07:38:00.000-07:00

So I finally remembered my camera for preschool. E is loving it, however he has a hard time leaving. I think he would be happy to play all day! Since we are still in the first few weeks he is overwhelmed with all the new toys to play with at the other Mom's houses. It'll pass, or we Mom's will get smarter and hide everything! Anyways, last week we only had class on Thursday. The theme was Reading is fun and learning about the letter B. The kids made bee's, complete with wings and antenna. Super cute idea Renee!

E and L painting. Look at E's face, he is very concerned that L is going to eat her paintbrush!

So I haven't yet just dropped E off since he is still getting to know the houses, so during class Noah and I sit back and watch the big kids. Mommy T was kind enough to give Noah a little snack plate...B themed of course!

We woke up Saturday to a crisp morning. Fall was definitely in the air. There is nothing that says fall like apple hill! We were moving our morning along to head up the hill when Sarah called and said they were going too! So we spent the afternoon letting the kids have fun at the apple ranches!

E and Parker being silly by the lake at High Hill

Best Buds

Noah and Devs are becoming fast friends too! Noah gave little miss a ride in his super cool stroller!

We headed over to Apple Ridge Farms to let the kids play and feed the animals. Hours of entertainment! It was .50 a feed cup and the kids had a blast!

Here sheepie, sheepie, sheepie...

Okay so funny story about this cow tongue. We went over to see the cow and there was the little girl there who was feeding the cow leaves, she claimed that they really like them. Not sure about that but anyway, E picked up a leaf to feed the cow and I thought "Oh I want to feed the cow, but I don't want to feed her a leaf, that seems weird, so I'll feed her some of the feed pellets." Okay so these feed pellets are pretty small and I put my hand out and that massive creepy tongue practically slurped up my hand! I totally jumped and screamed...and yes it is all on video! Preston took this picture just after it happened as he was trying to feed the cow!

E and his tractors! I think he is going to be a farmhand when he grows up! He would've played on this thing all day if we let him.

We headed over to the hay maze next-no pics, but the kids had so much fun. They must have run through that thing at least 100 times. Thanks for a great day you guys and Greg, thanks for not rushing! LOL!

Saturday Smiles

2010-09-18T20:09:00.000-07:00

Awesome day...I am exhausted...so full post to come but here are my favorites from today that made me smile:

Darth Batman love affair!

Baby Darth

1st Birthday Video

2010-09-14T08:47:00.000-07:00

Preston made this video for Noah of his first year with us! Enjoy!

Overdue

2010-09-10T16:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I promised more pictures and more details from N's first birthday, preschool, and everything else! Sorry, it took me so long. We had N's birthday at my Mom's since she has a great backyard for the kids and is in the middle for everyone to travel to. The kids had a blast. It is so fun to sit back and watch all the cousins play together and realize that they have such an amazing support system built in. Everyone in the family has a 'school buddy' someone that is their age and going into the same grade-how fun if we always live so close to one another. While the party was awesome, we were missing some family but hope to be together soon! Here are some more of my favs from the party:

Noah got a little thirsty and headed for the water fountain. My Mom gasped and then says to Fred "Honey, is it okay, that's not going to hurt him right?" Fred's response..."That's where the cat drinks from and he's not dead right?" CLASSIC

My boy just being cute!

My boy...being not so cute...

Hanging out on the grass with the big kids

Can you tell that he doesn't like getting dirty? I wonder who he gets that from....

Okay, these are so cute, watch the progress of photos as Linda attempted to get a picture of 6 of Noah's 17 cousins....

1. Nobody is looking at the camera...

2. In comes mother arm....Sarah ;)

3. Alright you had your chance we're done...

I love the expression on his face, he is so genuinely fascinated it's funny

Jen with three of her five boys...

He kept going back to that little cow ball toy...should've opened that last!

King of the kitchen! Best toy ever-they play with it everyday...Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Great!

Best giggle picture

HUH?

My Sis and I, these two boys are only three weeks apart. D will be one on the 29th!

Dev's and Noah-Cuties! These two are 1 moth apart...She is older!

All worn out from birthday fun-This was on his actually birthday...before the big party even.

This is the night before Uncle B left on his mission Dev's wanted him to find a place for her in the suitcase...

Blowing out his first birthday candle on 9/2

Okay, back to the party...sorry didn't want to try to fix the order of the photos. Daddy and Noah taking the classic cake picture!

Me and my Noah Bear

When the kids weren't looking Daddy took over the kitchen. He admitted that he had always wanted one of these. Sometimes he sneaks out of bed in the middle of the night and I catch him playing house in the corner....

E's first day of preschool! He loves going to class and can now successfully write the letter A! He has got to do some great art project and have singing time.

Noah just being cute with their grocery cart...Nope he's still not walking!

So this past weekend we took the kids to the Bounce-O-Palace in Folsom for a fun morning of play time. They loved it, we loved it, and it was a cheap Saturday activity! Check out the Humbert's blog (holly and Ryan on my side bar) for more pics and a fun recap of the day!