The kids have been having a great time lately. They were thrilled about dressing up for halloween. They loved trick-or-treating, and have had a great time playing in the leaves, and riding their bikes on these last precious warm afternoons. They want to be outside on the swing set, playing with friends, and doing anything but homework and chores! Ah, the life of kids... They are so fun. We love this time of year. There are some darling pictures of the kids all dressed up for Halloween below.

Happy Haunting

Celebrate

I have to say I'm quite happy with myself. I must share my good news. Right now, I am sitting in a pair of jeans that are the same size as the ones that I wore in college. To be honest, they are a little tight... but they were buttoned and zipped, all without jumping up and down, or lying flat on the bed, or sucking in and holding my breath until passing out cold on the floor...

It feels great. I am also a few pounds under what I weighed when Jason and I got married! (Not that my post- 4- children body looks the same... but still) I began last November. I had help. Help from friends, from websites, from family, from my doctor. Quotes that kept me inspired, goals to keep me dedicated. And am still working on it today. Eating right and working out. The gym has been awful lonely in the wee hours of the morning lately. But, it has me, and I have it! I have come to love it again. REALLY love it. Like I did in college. It is my alone time, my out, my energy booster, my to do list accomplished. It is my morning starter, and my spirit lifter. So... be happy with me. I have literally worked my butt off, and I'm telling you what... I don't even miss it!

Thanks so much to the friends who inspire me to do better and be better. I couldn't have done it without you. Thanks, also, to those who noticed the pounds coming off, and took the time to mention that they noticed it. That was such a huge incentive for me to keep going. So Goodbye excuses. Goodbye huge pregnancy weight gains. Goodbye fattening, sugary, glorious, sinful, decadent desserts. Here I am. And here is where I want to stay!!!

Sometimes.... and always

I know that I already have kids. Four of the sweet little things. So why is it that sometimes I wonder if I am ready to be a mom?  I see these 4 sets of beautiful little eyes looking to me for guidance, and instruction, and I wonder if I am really up to the task of preparing my kids for this world. Sometimes I catch myself wishing the house were actually quiet, or not so chaotic, or at least picked up. Sometimes I wonder if the day will ever end, and if I will have the patience to make it through the bed time routine. Sometimes I don't. Sometimes I do. Sometimes I go for a nice walk, and clear my head. Sometimes I turn on my i-pod as loud as I can handle to drown out the noise of arguing kids. Sometimes I wonder if my wardrobe should actually resemble a referee's black and white stripes, including, of course, the whistle. Sometimes I sit on the computer, checking my friends and families blogs, purposely zoning out for a while. Then, I come across my friend, Tara's blog (moglefamily.blogspot.com) with a post labeled "Today." And I stop dead in my tracks. I stop feeling so dang sorry for myself.

 So, Thanks, Tara, for reminding me that the sounds that come with having kids should always sound like music to me. That I need to remember to look at the big picture, and always see my children for the precious little spirits that they are, and remember that I have been put in their charge by someone who thought I would be up to the task. I need to remember to always ask for help and pray for the right ways to help and teach them. I need to remember that although they are with me today, they won't be always. Thanks for reminding me that I always need to be their beacon of light when things are dark, and their soft place to fall. I need to be kind, and gentle, and humble, and always express my love for them. That I need to cherish them. Not sometimes, but Always. It's a blessing to be their mother.

School Days

Now is the time for early mornings, drying and round-brushing hair like we're in the middle of a tornado, hurrying through piano practice, making beds, gathering up homework and running to the bus stop like we're competing for the olympic gold medal! Man, you gotta love Fall! I love that yesterday was rainy and cool. I'm ready for the heat wave to give a little. I have some cute pictures from the girls on their first day of school. McKaylyn is in 3rd grade,  Maddi is in 2nd, and Delaney is in Preschool with Miss Alice. They all love it. It seems weird to have just me and Landry at home for a couple hours 3 days a week! What to do.... We also took time to do a little photo shoot on Saturday. The kids are growing so fast, and changing so much lately. I have been busy, and not taking as many pictures as I should. They are darling, aren't they?

Whew...

Where did the summer go? I nearly blinked and it was over. (I said nearly, because we've been so busy I haven't been able to close my eyes for very long at all! :) This summer has been a great one. McKaylyn and Maddi started the summer with Softball. We had practice after practice, and game after game. It was really fun to watch them play this year. They are both getting the hang of the rules in the game, and can now figure out what to do when the ball comes to them. They did a great job, and unlike last year, I didn't even snap any photos of Maddisen in the outfield digging in the dirt instead of paying attention to the game!

Jason and I planted our very first garden this year. We had no idea what we were doing, but it is doing really well, despite our incompetence! Next year we will need to mark exactly what we planted, and where... but we've had fun with our guessing games and bets before the food actually started to grow. We have a LOT of zucchini, and summer squash... so if you need some, just holler! I have spent HOURS and HOURS weeding. I don't like playing in the dirt or being close to creepy crawly things, but slap a good pair of gardening gloves on me, and my hamstrings are begging for mercy! (Really!)

We also had the girls in swimming lessons, and piano lessons. They do well in both. We recently changed piano teachers, and the girls seem to enjoy their lessons and practicing! I am still teaching guitar lessons, though during the summer, the # of students drops off a bit. I enjoy it, and find that more than anything, it forces me to take the time to practice and play myself. It's been good for me. 

We have been to family weddings, funerals, reunions, get-togethers, celebrations, and more. I have loved being more connected with my family. (Much more convenient now that Mom lives next door...) We love having her here. The kids and I look forward to the weekends.

If we weren't at family functions, we tried to be camping. We LIVE for the mountains in the summer. Jason and I were just trying to figure out how many more times we could go before school begins. I'm sure we'll be up there a little with the hunts this year, too. (If anyone knows how I keep drawing out tags when I haven't even put in for them, could you let me know?)  For my husband, applying for hunting tags comes as naturally as breathing...)

Delaney and Landry are DARLING. They have been so good while we have been running around all summer. Landry could live outside. He loves anything dirty, anything noisy, or anything that moves. What a boy. Lately he has discovered that he loves his Dad, and not just his mom. Right now I can hear them playing hide and seek with big man chuckles and little man giggles. How fun it has been to have our sweet boy. Delaney is all geared up to go to Preschool at Miss Alice's. She knows how to sing her ABC's, and loves to color and dress up and play pretend. April & May found her hiding from all the bugs. It was all I could do to convince her to come outside and play with us. But Jason promised that he would "toughen her up," and now if she sees a bug she steps on it, and when she sees a bee, she doesn't scream. Quite the progress for such a little Princess and the Pea.

Life is going really well. I am in love with my sweet husband, I adore our fun children, and I really feel grateful for all the blessings that I enjoy every day! Now if we can just remember how to settle back into routines and schedules when school starts...

Our Trip to Alaska

This is a picture of jason and myself with his parents, Les and Carrie, in front of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska. We were just getting ready to go on a nature hike through a beautiful rainforest and along the sea coast.

This is another glacier we were able to see on our cruise ship in Glacier Bay, headed back toward Whittier, AK. This pictures really doesn't do it justice. IT was a little foggy and cold the afternoon I took this shot. 56 degrees, with a nice brisk wind! Burrr... but worth it for the amazing views.

This is just a random picture of the early evening sun while on the ship. Everywhere you turned, you found something amazing to look at.

This picture was taken on a tramway in Juneau. We were quite high up on top of this mountain looking down at the bay. There was a great shop, restaurant, and several trails to hike on once you got up there.

This was one of the coolest things, I thought. It's just a little light house out in the middle of nowhere. I thought it was beautiful. Not sure I'd like to live there, although, it would be nice to stay for a day or two. IT is no longer in use, but I still think it's very charming. 

Jason and I were posing in front of a little lake on top of a mountain near Hanes, AK. We were able to go on a shore excursion where we rode ATV's through this mountain and ended up at a nice cabin where the guides cooked us a great meal of chicken and Fresh Halibut, with fruit salad and homemade lemonade. Delicious. The view from the cabin was spectacular.

This is the view I just mentioned. Can you imagine eating your dinner each night over-looking that? 

My cute Hubby. What more can I say? We took this cruise to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. On the ship, I surprised him with a chocolate mousse, heart-shaped, fudge-covered cake that said Happy 10th Anniversary. He surprised me with Swarovski jewelry... A tennis bracelet, a necklace, and teardrop earrings. I love them! I wore them on our Formal dinner night on the cruise! He is so thoughtful. (Made the cake look a little lame... but is sure was good!)

Mendenhall Glacier

Alaska is the most beautiful place I have ever been. These purple flowers are called Fire weed, and they grow wild there- all over. They line the roads, the coast, the mountains... 

This is the sea coast we ended up walking on after our rainforest hike. There were balk eagles in the trees behind us, and boats out on the water, but it was really serene and calm. Nice and quiet. Occasionally, you'd see a salmon jump out of the water, or even a whale exhale through it's blow hole. We were able to see many humpback whales on the ship. They never really came very far out of the water, but it as cool to see the blow come 20 feet off of the surface of the water.

This was my attempt at photography. The big leaves you see are called Devil's Club. They are named that for a good reason... the whole plant is lined in thorns. I thought it was so pretty. I took this shot from the underside because the light coming through the leaves made the leaves appear lime green. I also wanted to get the old rainforest trees in the background. Such an amazing place.

This was the sunset on the first night of the cruise... It happened really pretty late, although it never really gets dark in Alaska this time of year.

Another excursion we went on was aboard the Allutian Ballad, a crab fisherman's boat that was featured on season 2 of the show, "Deadliest Catch" on the Discovery Channel. They took us aboard the ship, which has now been turned into a tourist vessel only... and showed us how they bait and pull the crab pots. They told us the harrowing stories of the many wrecks and terrible storms that the ship had been through (one of which was actually caught on film during the second season of the show.) They showed us an octopus, several different kind of crab, pulled next to native indians, who were salmon fishing, and they also pulled us along the shore line and threw fish into the water where about 30 bald eagles were eagerly waiting for them. They flew in and grabbed the fish not 3 feet from us. It was really amazing to see it that close. we caught it all on video with the flip! So fun!

Jason and me in front of our Carnival Spirit cruise ship at the Ketichikan port. This was taken right before we headed out in the Allutian Ballad Crab Boat. We had such a great time. I'll never forget the amazing scenery. It's just like looking right at God's handiwork.

Scrapbook retreat

So, we just finished our bi-annual Scrapbook retreat at Country Keepsakes in Salina, Utah. Every year my mom and sisters come up for the fun-filled day of scrapping, chatting, and giggling. There is no better girls day out anywhere! Tammy Hales and her crew at Country Keepsakes really know how to throw a party! We get tons of free stuff- lots of scrap supplies, cute totes and organizing options, a seat cushion one year, and even door prizes plus the added bonus of the staff's favorite things! This year, my sister, Kaycee could not make it, so mom's Friend, Carol Lee Hawkins came in her place. We had so much fun. Here are some pictures of the spoils... (Courtesy of Tiffanie Jackson-- Thanks, Tiff!) It is so fun to come and see friends that I haven't seen in a while. Candice was able to make it this year for her first CK retreat experience. I hope she had such a good time she'll be back this fall and next spring! Also, my great friend Sheral Whicker from Cedar, who inspired me to become a better scrapper comes as often as she can. (She has her 5th baby due in 3 weeks!) I also love to meet up with my friends from around here who also attend. If you like scrapping, whether you live near or far, it's definitely a day worth the trip! (They also give a prize for whoever has traveled the farthest to be there that day...) Fun times for all! Can't wait till the Holiday retreat this fall! 

Our newest additon

I have been a terrible blogger lately. Sometimes we just let life get way too busy! I need to be better at taking pictures of my kiddos in the various activities that they are involved in. That is my goal for the next several months. But for now, I was looking through my photos, and I thought I'd better introduce you all to the newest addition to our household. Can't quite call him family, although, I'm afraid his stay here is permanent. He isn't really so bad, though. He keeps quiet, keeps his thoughts to himself, doesn't make messes for me to clean up, and he certainly  doesn't leave the toilet seat up, forget to refill the empty toilet paper rolls, and he doesn't wake me up in the middle of the night. I guess as far as house guests are concerned, he's pretty good. So I really shouldn't complain..... And yet......

A Day For Love

Yesterday we decorated Valentines boxes for family night and then filled out Valentines cards and candy for the older girls' classes at school. They were so excited for their class Valentine's Day parties. After we were all finished with that project, we took a moment just to snap some pictures.

Me and McKaylyn. She always has been and probably always will be my little snuggle bug. She loves to lay by me in bed or sit with me on the couch. She never misses an opportunity to give me a hug or a kiss. She is such a sweet heart!

I suppose you could say I'm the luckiest mom in the world, cause here is a picture of Landry's sweet open-mouthed, slobbery kisses that he so generously shares with his moma. I love it. A little on the moist side, but so dang sweet regardless!

Now from the sweet to the silly! THis is where Jason is always found! The girls just adore him, and love to tease and play with their daddy!

This was supposed to be a nice, smiley picture, but alas, I fear Delaney has too much of her daddy in her. We really struggled getting a picture of her without a funny face!

McKaylyn has a really silly side, too... but much like her mother, does not let it show around too many people. I love capturing the rare moments like this with her! She tries so hard to be grown up!

Victory! One big smile from Laney-girl.

Always the big helper...

I just love our family!

Thankfully, just in time for Delaney to start the face-pulling in pictures, Maddisen has out grown that phase! Just look at her sweet smile!

No question on the gender here... This boy thinks it is hilarious to hit... anything and everything! His mom & sisters don't like it too much, but Dad always lets him have his fun. (Once a boy, always a boy!)

Landry has just started noticing how funny Jason is. He crawls as fast as he can to get to him when he comes home from work. (Just between you and me, Jason is just as easily wrapped around Landry's finger as he was with our girls.) I really love the soft spot he has for our kiddos.

Once upon a time, my hair was that color, too! Now I have to buy my blonde...

Seriously, does life get any better than this? Happy Valentine's Day, from ours to yours!