Our New Family Diner

I have been wanting to "fun up" my house for a while now.  I want to make sure that it is a place where my kids feel happy, comfortable, and welcome.  Where their toys, dirt, and artwork fit right in.  I am done with the "model" home feel.  So here's what we ended up with.
The kids and I love it.  We have been so much better at having family dinners at the table now.  Our old counter height table was just too big, fancy, and uncomfortable for a family table.  I love that I can just touch this one up when we get anything on it (which we already have done!). :)

The little basket I built and stained all by myself!  So much for overpriced baskets at the store! :)

My wall decor is not quite done yet, but here's what I have so far.  My kids monograms, a duck for Chloe (she's onsesed with Ducks for some reason.  Can't get enought of them!), and clouds for my dreamer/imaginer, James.  I am still coming up with how Sam will be represented.  We all know that nothing but trains exsists in his world, I just don't want to be so literal.  It's been so fun and they love their art.
The hooks for their coats are awesome.  I had fun making them and putting them together.  I just need to build the little bench seat under them now to pull it altogether.
I love creating and developing skills.  It gets my mind and body going.

These are my fancy red stools. I love red and have been missing it in my house.

Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child

That seems to be our motto around here lately.  With certain events that have taken place around us we have had the desire to spend more time as a family and do and get the things we have wanted.  With a trampoline and bike on it's way, we thought we would also give in and get the kids the trains they are into right now.

They have really taken to this new GeoTrax series ever since Sam got one for his birthday in December.  Of course that one came with a DVD with stories of all the friends and their trains on the team.  They have been begging for them.  So after a long, emotional day, I took Sam to his soccer game and then told him we were going to ToysRUs to get some trains.  He was so excited he could hardly focus in his game.  When his game was finally over he said, "Mom, I just knew I could play so good and earn those trains."

There was one certain train that James wanted.  He had been looking at pictures of it on the computer with his Dad and asked if the Postman could bring it to him.  (Ever since he got his slippers in the mail the Postman ranks right up there with Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny). 

Well, Sam and I found that train and agreed it would be our secret that we were helping out the Postman so that James could have his train right away.

The next morning Seth went in to get the boys up and James popped up in his bed and asked excitedly if the Postman had come and brought his "Aero".  He came running down and saw it sitting in the toy room.  He squealed and danced with joy and couldn't wait to open it and play with it.  He couldn't believe that the Postman would be so sneaky as to come in his house and leave it there for him!  It was so awesome to watch.  James doesn't want much, so when he does, we respond, and I am so glad we did.  He was so happy.

Sam's First Soccer Game

Sam started his first day of soccer today and he was so excited.  He got on the soccer kick when I was watching my sisters kids for a few days and we had to take his cousin, Megan, to soccer practice.  I think the only disappointing thing was when we showed up and he realized he didn't get to be on Megan's team.

Sam got a great coach.  He was awesome.  Worked well with the kids, made them a team chant, and kept them kicking the ball the right direction (well, mostly in the right direction!). :)

We had to snag a shot of Sam and his teammate, Caden.  We were so happy that he was towering over someone his age! :)

Here he is getting ready for the kick off.

Doing the team cheer.  "Go Green Alligators.  Chomp! Chomp! Chomp!"

And off he went.  He was running everywhere.  And by everywhere I mean everywhere.  He was pretty good at staying with the ball, but sometimes he would just get too excited and just start running circles around everyone.  It really was kind of like seeing a dog who just got let off his leash at the park and is just so excited he started circling! :)

He had some good biffs too.  But he was always quick to get back up and start running again.

A Package for James

James got some slippers for Christmas from his T Grandparents and he has worn them EVERYDAY since then. The poor things were so trashed. If he wasn't wearing them he was carrying them around. He loved those slippers to the death.

We finally found another pair online since they are not in the stores any more.
He was so patient to wait for them and he was so excited last night when we got home and they were waiting for them.
This was one of those moments when a child's pure joy fill me. He was so incredibly happy and full of joy that he got a package and that new slippers were in them. He taught me a great lesson...the simple things in life make us the happiest!

Easter Weekend

We had a great Easter Weekend in Bear Lake. It was quiet and the weather has pretty good. We were able to go up Thursday, since Seth got Good Friday off. That extra day always makes the weekend better.
The kids were excited for Easter. We had a great time dying eggs Friday night so the Easter bunny could put them in our baskets.





The Easter Bunny came to us on Saturday so that we could have fun and save Sunday for our spiritual Easter. We liked this a lot. He was also very generous and gave each of the kids a big toy to go along with their baskets.









We had a great time having the whole field to ourselves for our Easter Egg Hunt. I thought I had filled and hid so many eggs, but I was proven wrong as my kids ran and attacked them. They found them all and had most of them dissected and eaten within minutes. I'll have to up my game next year! :)


Chloe LOVED the idea of being able to eat as many treats as she wanted. I just think she was a little disappointed that there wasn't more chocolate! :)

Sam learned that he could eat his treats faster if he just dumped the whole thing into his mouth! He really is turning into quite the little man!

The Boys were so excited about the scooters and had to try them out right away. Chloe loved her golf set and doesn't have a problem letting anyone know it's "mine." :)

I just had to get a shot of Seth's awesome get up. There is nothing hotter than a very white man pushing a baby in a ghetto stroller while wearing basketball shorts and dress shoes! How'd I ever get so lucky! :)

On our drive home we always like to see what wildlife we can see. We have seen moose, deer, elk, bald eagles, hawks, cows, horses, sheep, giselles...
Well, this time we saw something so cool. There were these goats totally climbing up this straight up rock wall along the road. I've always heard about how goats can climb anything, now I know it's true. We just sat there and watched them. It was amazing.

When we got home I actually made my first Easter Dinner ever. It was so yummy. I was pretty proud of myself. I have made it a goal to improve my cooking skills and it has been fun to try and succeed with some new great things.


I left the kitchen before dinner was done and came back to this. So cute. Love my husband! :)

We finished our Easter Weekend with a fun "Family Night" Lesson to go over the reason of Easter. I loved this. It was fun to have the kids open the eggs, see the drawings and then look at the pictures and learn of Jesus and his mission on Earth. I loved teaching them about His ressurection and how we will live again with Heavenly Father. I am so grateful for this time of year. Just think. We dedicate a time each year to focus, study, and celebrate our Savior's love for us.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Growing up, we used to always hear my mom yell, "owww" from across the house as she would catch her little toe on something. Well, now my kids hear me yell it.
This picture's for you Mom! :)

Nurturer

Chloe is my little nurturer. She was having so much fun the other day taking take of her dolly. It just made me smile to see her be all girly.