Does anyone need a very large FREE paperweight?

Sorry, to late.  The FREE paperweight has already been body-slammed at the dump.

My darling little Bradin decided it would be a good idea to use a PVC pipe and our 52' LCD TV to play the drums.  As you can imagine the outcome was not the most exciting.  I think he felt really bad but what can you do?  I'm pretty sure my three-year-old has no comprehension of the amount of money it takes to replace the TV or how much his mom would have rather used that money for something a little more exciting.  We debated all week on whether or not to replace it right away or wait.  Matt didn't want me to go crazy this summer so he found one by the weekend to put back in its place.  (I think he just wanted it to finish watching the basketball playoffs).  

  

Too Cute!

Aubriella looked too cute today.  I had to take some more picts!  I know she is still small and only two months old, but I feel like she is getting too big too fast!   She is smiling so much and is so responsive to my voice.  She has started to sleep longer and longer.  Last night was a record!  I put her to bed at 9:30 and she didn't wake up until 7:00 AM!  I could use a lot more of that!

Memorial Day

For Memorial Day we decided to spend some more time with family and friends down at the property.  We camped down there Sunday night and were ready for play on Monday.  The kids spent a lot of time on the four-wheelers.  Matt let Daxton and Dakota drive the little ones on there own for the first time.  They were really cautious and did a great job.  

This is Daxton giving his cousin Alex a ride.  

Austin wishes he was old enough to ride.

Our First Garden

We finally planted our very first garden!  This is something we have been wanting to do every year but it just has never happened.  This year we learned about square foot gardening and we decided to make it happen.  I read the book "All New Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew and we put his methods to the test.  I couldn't pass up the idea that we wouldn't ever have to fertilize, weed much, or prepare the soil each year.  Our two boxes should give us a lot to eat this summer (we'll see!).  

The boys were so excited that we were going to have a garden and even more excited to help Matt pull out the tools on Family Night.

 

We took an evening to mix the soil "Mel's Mix" and get the boxes all prepared.  Daxton, Bradin, and Austin had fun smooshing up the chunks of peat moss with their hands.  

The boys helped us pick out the plants at the nursery and helped a little in the planting. The soil is so light that it didn't take us long.  Now we wait to see if we really can get things to grow!

Another Missionary

Yesterday we met my parents, Grandpa Ray and Dallin at the MTC to say goodbye to Kyle as he began his missionary experience.  My little boys were so excited to sing "Called to Serve" again at the MTC but were sad to see Uncle Kyle go.  I tried to prepare them for this day by starting to talk about it a few weeks in advance.  The responses I had gotten from them were things like "if Kyle is gone it will be so boring!" and "Then there will be no one to play with and then I can't play the Wii with him." and "If Kyle is gone there will be nobody to babysit us."  We will miss him so much and I am not sure what I am going to do without him as my babysitter!  Kyle is such a joy to have around; I'm sure the people in Georgia will love him.  He sure has a special spirit about him and will be able to spread the Gospel through his simple testimony.

  

We will miss you Kyle!

Matt, Dallin, Kyle, Steve (dad), Grandpa Ray

Bradin and Austin playing with Uncle Dallin

Bradin practicing his photography skills

Aubriella's Blessing Day

On Saturday evening our family gathered together for Aubriella's baby blessing.  Matt gave her such a beautiful blessing.    We are so blessed to have so much family that was able to assist in the blessing.

  

Aubriella has such a beautiful spirit and is a joy to have in our family.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was so great!  I am so blessed to have five wonderful little ones that I get to spend each and every day with.  I can't believe I have five!  Five blessings from Heaven.  I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven for entrusting me with these sweet spirits.  I love them so much, and love being a mom.  

This year Matt and I have been wanting to plant a garden so for Mother's Day he gave me a book that I have been wanting about gardening by the square foot and a gift certificate to the nursery just up the road.  I am so excited to get started!  On Saturday evening I went with my friend Suzanne and my mom to get a pedicure.  That was so fun!  Afterward, Matt and I went to dinner with my parents to Bajio.  Yummy!  

Sunday morning I was greeted with Breakfast in bed and notes from each of my boys.  Matt didn't have any bishopric meetings that morning so that was a special treat to have him home with us and some extra help getting ready for church.   After church we had dinner at my parents house and had the chance to talk to Cameron who called from his mission in Mexico. Since it is hard to be in two places at once to talk to both mine (Cameron) and Matt's (Robert) brothers, Matt was able to conference call in on Robert's phone call who is also serving in Mexico.  It was so great to hear that both of them are doing well and loving the people of Mexico.  Later that evening we stopped by Matt's parent's house to deliver his mom some flower's and wish her a happy mother's day.  We both have such wonderful mom's.  I don't know what we would do without them!  

Camping with the Rose Family

This last weekend the Roses hung out with us down at the property.  Thursday evening we played around on the four-wheelers, had dinner, and the boys couldn't get enough of the lodge (a big open carpeted area to wrestle and run around). On Friday, after a good nights rest, we had a big breakfast and then the boys decided to make some rockets to launch.  

Sam, Ethan, Dakota, and Daxton were looking for bugs in silence.

While this was going on, a few of them noticed a snake just to the side of the pavilion.  They started shouting "rattle snake!"  Of course it wasn't a rattle, but it sure was big.  The Rose boys passed it around, but mine wouldn't have anything to do with it. 

 

Scott picked up the snake and passed it around.  Sam thought this was great!

The boys had a "blast" launching the rockets.  They actually held up pretty good as they were blasted into the air over and over.

Okay, what kid sleeps in when you are camping!  Austin decided he would give this a try.  Matt decided at 11:00 that he had slept enough.  He marched in the cabin and drug him out of bed so he could see the end of the rocket launch. Luckily Austin had a big smile on his face.

This is Austin snoring until 11:00 AM!!

Dad decided it was time for him to play and join in the fun!

Later on, the boys decided to float the river.  All 10 of them!  Suzanne, Rachel, Aubriella, and I stayed behind and took pictures from the shore.  Despite the freezing water, they had a good time.  After lunch  the boys took turns shooting the paint ball guns before we packed up and headed home.

This looks like trouble!

We had so much fun with our friends, the Brown's, camping down at the property over the weekend.  Okay, some may call us crazy but all together we had 10 kids ages 7 and under!  The Brown's brought two extras, two of their nieces.  We love spending time with the Brown's and our kids get along so well.  It was so fun watching them chase the rabbit around camp, pretending to ride the little four-wheelers that didn't run , playing horseshoes, and their fascination with the red ant hills and other bugs.  One of the highlights of the evening was the canoe rides . Matt and Ben had the kids take turns riding out on the river with them.  The kids thought this was so great, but it was a little crazy for us watching 10 kids by the edge of the water!  Yes, we are crazy. When it got dark, a fire was lit and the s'mores came out.  Of course that meant sharp pointy marshmallow sticks (also known as swords).  We lucked out and no injuries occurred (only a few close calls). 

We woke up to a whole lot of rain.  Matt and Ben fixed us an awesome hot breakfast.  Alisha and I had the plates for all of the kids lined up with pancakes and syrup for all the kids.  We were just cutting them, preparing to serve, as the wind decided to pick up.  I blew so hard the plates all flipped up and off the table. One plate hit Austin in the chest gluing a pancake to his sweatshirt.  All we could do was laugh and start over.  I hope all the animals enjoyed their breakfast!  The combination of the wind and rain made for a cold morning.  The kids tried to warm up their hands over the camp chef.   After breakfast, we cleaned up camp and the Brown's headed home to make it to Ben's soccer game.  The sun decided to show its face a little so we stuck around to try out Daxton's remote controlled boat.  It was sure a hit.  The boys sat on the dock and drove that boat until the battery gave out.   Matt decided to put a table together for his dad in the newly carpeted "lodge."  The boys ran and ran and wrestled a bit in the big open room.  .This will be a fun addition to the property!

So Sweet

Another photo of my sweet baby girl.  I am having to much fun!  

She is so alert so I had to capture those cute little eyes.