We share everything.

I think some mommy's would be pretty terrified to see this.  Not this one.  I remember doing this exact same thing with my cousin.  Why wait when both of our little booty's fit nicely.  It made me laugh.  I am just glad I had my camera handy.  I sure love these ladies. 

We have a {Teenager}

It is official.  JJ is a full fledged teenager.  He went to bed my boy and woke up a teenager.  EEK!!!

JJ has always been a kid that beats to his own drum.  He is very hardworking and motivated to succeed.  I am so impressed with his attitude for school  He works hard, and does it all on his own.  He is very self motivated.  He has a gift with adults.  I think there isn't anyone in our ward who doesn't think this kid is amazing.  They are right.  He is amazing.  Along with taking 5 AP classes, he plays the clarinet and piano, and recently joined the swim team.  He is a very busy kid, yet he seems to do well under the pressure of it all. His knowledge of the gospel is very impressive especially considering mine isn't.  

When I put these pictures together it made me miss my little Mr. Man.  I just love this kid.  We are entering a new and exciting phase.  I am sure we will knock heads just like we always have but I am excited to watch who he is becoming.  It is only five short years before he leaves for his mission.  I can't believe how fast the time has gone by.  

This year we had a lot of fun decorating his locker.  Jeron and I got the stuff ready the night before and Emma and I took it to school in the morning.  We left about 30 min before JJ and he almost caught us.  We were just finishing up when Emma spotted Trevin walking towards us.  We quickly passed them making sure they didn't see us.  He was surprised.  Apparently, the locker jammed making him late for class thanks to the streamers.  Oops.  I don't  think he was to happy about it.  Oh well, we will do it again.  Thats just how we roll.  

We put this sign on the cafeteria door.  We officially embarrassed him.  That was my goal.  Haha

The night of JJ's birthday there just happened to be a high speed chase on I-15.  It shut down the freeway and the traffic was insane.  We weren't able to go to Red Robin like he wanted.  Instead we headed to SLC and went to Crown Burger.  

We still had a good time even though we had to change our plans.  

13 years ago this boy made us parents.

I sure do love this boy.  He is the first miracle I ever witnessed.

I still can't believe he is 13

 JJ got a remote control helicopter.  He is also going to get an iTouch.

Valentine's Day

One of my favorite holidays is Valentine's day.  But boy is it a busy one.  First Elsie had her very first V-Day party.  She was so excited to get her gift bags together for everyone.  She is such a doll face.

 Then there is the crazy box making.  I think Emma's turned out pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  Poor Ellie didn't care so she just used hers from last year.  

Then there is the Heartattack.  This is a favorite part for our kids.  They love doing them.  We sent S. Meads' family, and the Vogel's a heart attack in a box.Then we went and did M.Meads' family, David, and Mama and Papa

When we did Jeff, Tara, and Mac we were caught.  We got a pic with them when we got caught red handed by Mr. Mac.

Emma came home to her room all decorated by her bestie Megan.  I think this was such a cute idea.  

The kids got a package from Ben and Lucy.  They were so excited.  It even came with darling pictures.

Mama and Papa came by and door bell ditched us.  The kids were waiting for them though.  They were excited to get their stuffed animals and their cookie.  Grandma came by earlier in the week with a treat for the kids.  And of course I made them their cookies.  It was such a fun day showered with L.O.V.E.

Happy Valentine's Day

The last few years we have been making our own Valentine's cards. I think they are pretty awesome if I do say so myself.  They have the people I love most on them, making them perfect!

This year my favorite idea is this one.  I think it turned out so cute.

Elsie was terrified to do this one though.  She did not like standing in our bay window at all.

I guess I can't blame, it is two stories high.

 Ellie rocked her picture.  I just had to tell her to give me an awesome Hannah smile and look at that!

 And yes, I could kiss this pretty little lady all day long!

 Oh I'll call you! 

 After removing her chipped fingernail polish Emma liked hers.  Yes, photoshop is awesome!

(can you guess what candy she is giving?)

 Jeron had to stand in the wings to hold the chandelier out of the way and spot the fraidy cat.  

 Every other girl got two so Emma needed another.

 She is so cute!  Literally, we do hug and kiss her all day.

 It is so hard to do boy Valentine's.  Last year we did the mustache one and I loved it but you can't do the same thing twice.  So we took an Uncle Sam theme.

 Since she is so freaking cute we had to add just one more!

Love that lasts a lifetime

This little girl loves her big brother.  One day she will forget how much she wanted him.  He will go on his mission when she is five.  It is crazy to think that she won't have much memories of moments like these.  I am glad that I have this blog so she can look back and see the love in her bothers eyes when he looks at her.  He may have always wanted a brother, but I don't think he would trade her for the world.  He sure loves her.  

Ellie also has a special connection with Emry.  From the first time she saw Ellie it was apparent that these two knew each other before that day.  I love the way that siblings can love each other.  It is such a great feeling as a mother to see your kids happy together.

{PROUD} of herself

I couldn't get enough of this face.  I put her in the front seat of my car to take Elsie to the house behind ours. She looked at me like she was so big.  Like, "Look at me, I am such a big girl now."  She had the face the whole time.  I was just giggling at her.  

I only have eighteen...

Today was one of those crazy days.  

You know, the day leading up to a holiday where you try to prep for the big day.  

I had my list of things I had to get done,

 and I only had a little window of time to do it in.  

Every year for Valentine's Day I try to make sugar cookies for my kids,

 my family, 

and Jeron's family. 

 It is a tradition that we have done for a long time. 

 The families are getting bigger, which means more cookies and more time.  

We heart attack those in close proximity to our home, and send packages to those that live away.  

We make our own picture Valentines for each kid.  

We make cute Valentine boxes for their school class. 

 It is a lot of work and today was crunch time.  

There were little things here and there that kept happening that made it so I was behind schedule. 

 It was so bad that I ended up getting in the shower at 8:00 pm. 

 I was in the shower thinking to myself "Why do I do this to myself before a holiday?  For crying out loud it is only Valentine's Day."   

Then I remember something a wise lady once told me.

  "You only have 18 summers with your kids.  18!" 

When she said that to me it really struck a cord with me.  

It is so true.  

18 is such a small number. 

 I took her council and applied it to everything we have. 

 I only have 18 New years, Valentines, St. Patrick's, Easter, April Fools, Summers, Halloweens, Thanksgivings, and Christmas'. 

 It was then that I realized I really wanted to make these days special for me and for my kids.  

That is why I do the crazy day(s) leading up to a holiday. 

 And lets face it, 18 is PUSHING it.  

Really, I am pretty sure at 15 my kids won't be begging me to go trick or treating with them.  

I not only want my kids to have great memories of the holidays but I want to have them too.  

Last night JJ said to me in a very excited voice "Are we going to heart attack everyone this year?"  Tonight, Emma asked if we are going to heart attack David.  

Emma was telling grandma how excited she was for Valentine's day.  

Elsie had a blast making her Valentine bags for her first Valentine's party.    

She came home today with a twinkle in her eyes.  

She was so excited to tell me about the party and show me her treats.  

It is those things that remind me of why this is so important to me.

I gave myself a little pep talk in the shower.

 I need to put up or shut up.  

 I will  try to remember the wisdom of that lady and remind myself that I only have eighteen______,

 so make them count.

It is just to hard to stay awake.

I was stilling on the couch talking and next thing I know this little lady is OUT!  She must have been super tired.  

 It made me laugh how quickly.  I was bouncing her because she was cranky.  I look down and she is OUT. Hahaha

  As a mom, this is one of my most favorite things.  

 There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping baby.  Love her!

Sleeping beauty and her King

We were just doing our thing when we noticed Poppins was sound asleep.  Daddy jumped in for a fun photo op.  It isn't very often that the fifth child has enough peace and quiet in this house to fall asleep in the family room.   I sure do love these two.  

 Stealing sweet kisses

 This picture melts my heart. 

Emma, emma, emma....

Emma is really smart.  Like freakishly smart.  Her test scores are of the charts.  Her mind is amazing.  That is why when she does something really STUPID it is so shocking.  She decided to sled down this STEEP hill onto our CEMENT driveway.   Ellie and I decided that we need to point out her brilliant choice.  

And just in case you are wondering YES, her bottom is very very sore.  

Sleep Over

Ellie was so excited because Kaiya was sleeping over.  Every time someone came to the door she would say "Kaiya?"  Turns out Elsie was just excited.  Ryan, Kaiya's little sister got to come too.  The kids had such a great time with them.  It was just a big party.  Of course Ellie wanted to go to McDonalds and why not make it a perfect day for her.  

 After McDonalds we came home, took baths, and headed to bed.  I figured they would all go to sleep pretty quickly.  Ryan and Elsie went out fast.  Kaiya and Ellie stayed up talking past midnight.  It was so fun  to listen to them giggling and having a real sleepover.  I had to go in the room and remind them to be quiet.  It was the cutest thing ever.  

Safe for now...

Okay, so there is a down side to letting her sleep with us besides the sleep.  It is the endless worry of her falling off of the bed once I wake up.  Emry keeps really awful hours.  She is awake until 1am and then sleeps until 10am except for when she doesn't.  So, that means I spend about 3 hours in the morning wondering if she is okay.  Running back and forth between what needs to be done and making sure she isn''t awake yet.  It makes for a nervous mom.  As for now the pillows are keeping her safe.