JJ's Family Party

JJ's Birthday Party with Firends

My kids have not had a friend party in a while, so I realized it was time for one. JJ had his friends over for a gaming party. We set up the couches, and the TVs in one room so they could all be together. We had the Wii and the xbox for the boys to play. They had a lot of fun. I found this cool cake on Family Fun. JJ really liked it. It is much better in the picture but hey I tried.

Spencer, Keith, AUstin, Kaden, Hunter, Carson, JJ

This was the xbox couch

JJ getting his presents. Okay so I am not taking the pictures, who is?

JJ had a lot of fun. He was interestingly quiet at first. I think he was just taking it all in. It turned out really good. It was fun to spend time with his friends. Happy Birthday JJ

Our Favorite Son is 10!

My Top 10 reasons why JJ is so AWESOME!

JJ is amazingly SMART
He is such a tease.
He is an excellent artist.
He is a wonderful Big brother.
He has a loving heart.
He is a hard worker.
His has a clever mind.
He has a testimony of Jesus Christ
He is organized (in his own crazy way)
He is truly a good kid.

Love you Mr Man!

Blue and Gold Banquet

JJ had his blue and gold banquet tonight. We had to decorate a cake as a family for the event. I stopped working at 4pm and had to get a cake and salad made by 6:30pm. So I got on line and googled Boy Scout Cake and here is our version of what we found.
The best part of this cake is my neighbor that lives across the street from me had the same idea and we made the exact same cake, only she was more creative and did round cakes and the #1 for 100 years of Boy Scouts. It was hilarious.

JJ got his bear award tonight. He did extra good and earned his yellow arrow also. The scoutmaster informed JJ that he did too much. I thought that was interesting. I didn't know there was too much in scouts. I hope you see the sarcasm in that.
JJ got to give me a pin for all my help. Cute huh. I guess they know mom actually does it all. hehehe.

GNO with Tara

Tara and I went and saw Valentine's Day and ate at Z'Tejas. The movie was really cute. I thought with that many big actors that it would be kind of stupid. Other than what they did to my McSteamy I loved it. Oh, and McDreamy as well. Oh well I will Mcbeokay:) The restaurant that we ate at was yummo. Because of my lip I couldn't eat my sandwich but the appetizer was to die for. I will have to go there just to have that again. Mmmmm

It was great getting to know Tara better. She is so much fun. I hope we continue to do this.

Cute as a bug.

This morning JJ walked into our bedroom.

JJ: "Hi Elsie, how are you doing?"

Elsie: "I'm awesome!"

She makes me smile everyday with the silly things she comes up with.

Hanging out with the ladies.

Ellie and Elsie had so much fun with Grandma Jan and Grandma B. It has been nice having Grandma B live with Grandma Jan. It has made it so the kids can get to know her better. Grandma Jan doesn't have to work anymore. We are excited that this means we might see her more.

The kids love their Grandma. She played a little twister with them and read them stories while she was here. They loved every minute. Elsie kept saying "Gama" before Grandma came. She was so excited. Ellie would just keep jumping up and down saying "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
Serously this woman has more energy than me. We was playing tag with Elsie and Ellie. They would run back and forth from the door to the couch. The girls loved it. I will have to say it made me very nervous especially on the wood floor.
Thanks so much for coming up and playing with us.

{Happy Valentine's Day}

This Valentine's was a little more intense than normal. We increased the amount of Valentines we give by eight this year. That may not sound like a lot but it was a little different. The kids hand made all of their valentines. We love this time of year at our home. What is better than a day that says "I love you!" JJ did a heart with a sucker. He was going to do an iPod but we got a little burned out when the first ones didn't work. So he gave up and cut out hearts instead. Emma made flowers with suckers in the middle, Ellie did her "I love you" hand in sign language. Elsie did a bee that says " bee mine". I did my usual sugar cookies, and heart attack doors.

The kids took their Valentine's around to our family and we had fun being sneaky. We also had a fun time getting sneaked upon. The kids heard the door bell ring and went to the door. To their surprise there was a Wii game, donuts, and dolls for the little girls. JJ took off down the street chasing the car that drove by. He came home all out of breath when he realized it was the neighbors grandparents. It was funny it took our kids a good 10 minute to figure out it was Jeron and I. I am just so sly. Hehehehehe. Or they are that unaware. I think it might be the last option.

The door bell rang a second time that night and sitting on the porch were 3 cute monkeys, and a Snoopy with sugar cookies for the kids, and red velvet cupcakes for Jeron and I. Lucky us. Mmmmm. Thanks Mama and Papa. Elsie finds her monkey everyday, wraps it in a blanket, kisses it, and says "shhhh monkey seeping." So cute!

Jeron got me a yummy V chocolate, carmel apple and a CD that I wanted. Yes, I said CD. I hate iTunes. I like to be able to hold it, see it, I know weird. I got Jeron his FAVORITE treat. A sugar free razzleberry pie. I am totally serious. He had one about 4 months ago and loves it. I love all my Valentine's. The kids of course made homemade cards for Jeron and I. Nothing better.

{Hard at Wook}

While I work Elsie will come in and work at the other computer. She thinks she is such a big girl. I wonder if she knows it makes my heart happy to have her near me. I love this little lady.
I should mention she doesn't work she "wooks" I won't even tell you what she says for fork. Lets just say I was a little freaked out until I realized she was telling me to get the fork off her plate. You can imagine what it really sounded like. Yikers:)

{LOVE notes}

Our cute neighbor brought us this cute little box that contained 2 post it pads, 2 pens, and a scripture Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord." We were to write love notes to each other throughout the week. The kids loved it. I have to admit it reminded me of when Jeron and I were dating. I would always leave love notes for him. We had a lot of fun with this.

My baby bro got his Eagle

Michael has had his Eagle for a while but you have to do all the pomp and circumstance before you actually get your badge. So after an impromptu court of honor at my parents he received his Eagle. He is setting a wonderful example to JJ and Austin.
JJ actually was motivated after to get his Bear done. So after doing some things, and signing of this and that JJ has his bear! Yeah for JJ! We will post pictures from the Pack Meeting that is coming up.

Baptism Day for Fatima

Fatima ("adopted" granddaughter to Jan and Gene) got baptized on Saturday. We are really excited for her.

JJ and Emma sang "I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me" They are getting really good at it. It is funny that when your kids are performing how nerves you get as a parent. I was shaking so bad that I don't know if they could see the words I was holding up. They did a wonderful job, and I had nothing to be nervous about. I may not be a Von Trapp Family Singer but why can't me kids be? I think I will start hiring them out. They can sing on key and they sound so sweet. I was very proud of them.

I just love baptisms. There is a spirit in them that is amazing. I have never been to a baptism that I didn't feel something. This made me a little more excited to see my next little one get baptized.

Grandpa Gene and Fatima

Emma, JJ, Aunt Tara, and Ellie

Grandpa Gene, Fatima, and Julia

Fatima had to be dunked two times. She forgot to tell Gene her whole (long) name. So, Gene was excited to do it again. He teased her he was going to mess up just so he could do it twice. Funny, cause he did it perfect and still got his wish. Fatima we are very excited for you. We love you.

luNch wiTh tHe laDieS

Molly, Jana, and I were able to steal away on Saturday for brunch. It was funny planning it. At first we were all about dinner and shopping. By the time we got down to it we were able to squeeze in a brunch. Molly and I both had to be somewhere at 1:00 and we needed to get our kids ready before we left. I thought at first it would be rushed, but it actually was a really nice time.

Thanks for getting me out even if it was only 2 hours. I would say we should do it again when life isn't so crazy. That would mean I'll see you two in 20 years. So lets just do it again:)

We are one weird bunch of people...

We got the little girls down tonight and played games with the kids. It was a lot of fun. After we played games we decided to see what JJ would look like with Emma's hair and my hair. Dad was not to impressed with our goofiness but we made him try as well. It was pretty funny. JJ looks a little like Emma with Emma's hair on his head.

Meet our new daughter Eron
(if he was a girl it would start with an E)

Jeron said no pictures of him on the blog with long hair.
(Since he never looks at this blog, what is stopping me?)

JJ with Emma's hair.

I hope this makes you laugh. It sure made us laugh.

A much needed night with my family!

Lately, I have been feeling a little lonely. I work most nights and weekends so nights out really can pose a problem for me. I have been feeling isolated with winter and everything it just seems that I have become kind of a hermit. I decided that I needed a girls night out. So who better to call on then my fabulous cousins. The best part was after a lot of facebooking we were able to find a night that almost everyone could go.

It was a lot of fun. We went to CPK and we must of looked pretty good cause the waiters decided that they would try out their new menu items on us. We got to try all this yummy food, for FREE I might add, and have good conversation. What more could you ask for? I really do love each of these ladies so much. I am blessed to be related to so many amazing people.

Left back to front: Abi, Marianne, Traci, Kristen, Natalie
RIght back to front: Kari, Megan, Emily, Calee

And don't forget the shopping. No pictures dang it, but it was a lot of fun. Some of us headed to Victoria's Secret and lets just say there aren't many secrets anymore. Thanks ladies for the laughs.

This is something that I hope we set out to do more often. Next time I want everyone there:)