Pure Randomness....

#1 I like to make up words. When it suits and if there is no other available word I feel that I should be able to come up with something that will satisfy my need for self expression....i.e. I know "randomness" isn't real but I will continue to use it. ;)

#2 I am going back to the gym. My gym buddy moved and I ended up taking a vacation that I have regretted since. Or should I say my body has regretted it since..... I am vowing to get back on the wagon. After all I have to take a new license picture next month and I don't want to be stuck "losing" my i.d. until I get a good one.

#3 I am seriously embarrassed by myself when I think of how I use to act in high school. I know it was ages ago but I feel like I need to take out some kind of ad in the paper to say..."sorry I was an idiot and thought I was awesome when really I do believe I was a bit of a geek." Thank goodness I finally grew up....kind of.

#4 I would love to have a family picture taken. Do any of you know someone good who can work with a girl on a budget? We have not taken a family picture since the babies were 6 months old and I didn't love them anyway. I keep telling myself that I will take the kids pictures myself since there are some really fabulous places up here but it is hard to do by yourself. Plus I am dying for one of those sassy Facebook pictures that everyone has and if it needs to be photoshopped so I look 50 lbs. thinner so be it. :) In fact I might pay extra for that. *wink, wink*

#5 Sleep is so overrated. I totally should be snoozing right now and will probably wish that I did tomorrow but alas I am a night owl and have never quite appreciated the whole "early to bed, early to rise" thing.

#6 Emma says funny things. The other day we were driving down a busy street when I noticed a small dog crossing the road. It had crossed our lane and was going towards oncoming traffic. I had slowed down and saw a car barreling for the dog and not even slowing down. I honked my horn and luckily startled the dog or else it would be in Heaven right now. After it safely crossed the street we pressed on and Emma said, "Mommy, that dog wasn't using it's manners. It should know that it shouldn't be in the street." haha Now if I could just get HER to use HER manners. :)

#7 I have a serious weakness for Netflix. During my lunch break (which I deem to be whenever the kids are taking a nap) I do layouts for my creative teams and while I work I love to have something on in the background. Every day I get sucked into these different shows. Sometimes I love it and other times I can't even watch the whole thing and end up cutting it short and picking something new. It doesn't really matter what genre...although I prefer romantic comedies...and musicals...and documentaries. Okay, pretty much anything that isn't gross, spooky, or inappropriate...I try to keep the smut to a minimum. I don't want those kinds of images swimming around in my mind. :)

#8 I have run out of random things....guess I am going to have to make a list. Oh there is another random thing. I am a serious list maker. If I am ever trying to plan or coordinate anything there will be a list. I may make it and misplace it and then make it again only to possibly not use it but the making is still fun and I LOVE crossing things off the list.

Well, until another day when I either have fun new pictures or more random things to share. Hope all is well with you and yours.

So it has been almost a year.....

I thought it was time to do another post. Hopefully it won't take another year to make the next one. hehe

School is out here. Baseball is about to end for my two older boys. We have practically lived at the park 4-5 days a week (games and practices). Not sure what we are going to do when Emma, William and Murphy get older. At least we can get William and Murphy on the same team so that should help. Swimming lessons have started.

I wanted them to get started right away so that they wouldn't be "too" bored and they have loved them. Just the three olders are enrolled. Em was really excited to use her new swimsuit and princess towel so that helped her overcome her fear of the water. It really helped that her teachers are so nice and work with her too.

Trouble is that the weather here has not been very warm and so they have had to cut the classes short. They are planning to make up the time this week but with the weather a little windy Em hasn't wanted to really do a whole lot. She seriously struggles to put her head in the water. We have been practicing like crazy in the tub but in the pool there is so much more water that it freaks her out. Hopefully the weather warms up and she gets so hot that she does it on her own just to cool off. Wishful thinking? Yeah, probably.

The twins are getting bigger. They don't talk a whole lot and then surprise you with a sentence here and there. They love sports and can be found wearing their older brothers' baseball gloves or kicking the soccer ball around the backyard. They love to wrestle and often try to use their siblings as jungle gyms. How is that for cheap entertainment?

Andrew is still doing great at his job. He does a great job providing for our family and we really appreciate all the effort he puts in for us. He has been coaching Satch's team (for the second year in a row) and is also really excited that it is almost over. *wink, wink* He loves to de-stress with his neighborhood game nights.

I have been trying to grow a garden.....all that seems to grow though are weeds. Ugh. This thumb will get green one of these days. I have a ton of projects in my mind though so if I ever get them done I will post them. They include a flag craft, decorating Em and the twin's rooms and the list goes on.

Tastefully Simple....

My sister started selling Tastefully Simple a little while ago. I told her that I would have a show for her to help her out. It was a lot of fun and they have some fabulous food. I thought I would post it on here in case anyone needs a little Garlic Garlic or Beer Bread (that tastes awesome with Sprite by the way). If you are interested please go here.

Yes it is blurry...but it is SOOOO good. :)

So I was thinking every two months is ok...right?

At least it is better than annually. :) So baseball at our house has come and gone. Satchel was really bummed when the season ended. He loved playing catcher and it was a position that picked on his own and is actually really good at. Andrew like coaching his team and it wouldn't have been possible without the help of Clayton (a friend of ours) and Robert (one of the parents). Gehrig liked playing and was always excited for his games but didn't see a lot of action since the kids are all pretty young.

My trip to Idaho was fun. On the way there Stephanie hit a poor beaver that was trying to play "chicken" on the freeway. I was able to get some reading in and a little shopping. What could be better?

Women's Conference was so nice. I love hanging out with Keli and we have 2 days to just hang out and laugh. We heard some really good talks and I ended up talking a lot of notes. We were also able to do service and get to know new people from all over the country.

(Baskin Robbins was having 39 cent scoop night...we HAD to be there...even if it was super cold and windy.)

The babies ended up having surgery. Andrew had to work so my mother-in-law came with me and my father-in-law took Emma. Both boys were so good. Everything took so much longer than anticipated so I worried about them being hungry but they did such a good job. William even fell asleep waiting for his turn. While Grandpa had Emma they went to get her nails painted. He paid to have them put little flowers on her thumbs and she was over the moon. She talked about it non-stop for days and keeps asking Papa when they are going again and if they will paint her toes this time. :)

William would not let that bowling pin go for the longest time. :)

Cute little Murphy was crying when they were doing his little exam before surgery...but still happy.

Summer started at the end of May. We have had a pretty relaxing summer so far....is that a nice way of saying we haven't been doing much? We have been to the splash park up here, gone to the zoo, gone to the movies, worked in our yard...and that is about it. They have swim lessons coming up though so that should provide a little variety for them.

Just this past Friday we had the opportunity to go see Toy Story 3. A friend of mine, Alison took our babies for us and I was "eternally grateful". :) hehe I am SO funny. Truthfully though it was nice to not have to wrestle them in the theatre AND it was the first show that Emma actually sat through without getting bored. In fact, she has brought it up for the past two days saying that she wants to go again to see Buzz, Woody and Jessie. Personally I think it was the popcorn and drinks that sealed the deal for her. LOL

I know it has been forever....

What can I say...the weather is nice and baseball has started. :) I guess to keep y'all updated I should tell you what has been going on in our neck of the woods.

Well, at the beginning of April (the 3rd to be exact) William and Murphy turned 1. They decovered that they are HUGE fans of icing and that the cake isn't that bad either. It also happened to be Easter weekend and General Conference. So, needless to say it was busy. There were eggs to dye while all the men went to the priesthood session and then on Sunday the Easter Bunny came by. The boys were excited about their skateboards. Emma loved her new princess shoes and thought that she should just wear them as "every-day" shoes instead of dress-up. The babies got a little toy for their sandbox (their birthday gift from us).

Shortly after baseball started for Satchel. They had two pre-season games and a tournament. Now the regular season is starting. Andrew is coaching his team and it has been really fun to be a part of it. At times none of the kids want to listen and you want to go crazy but on the whole they are really good boys and it is fun to be able to cheer them on. Gehrig has loved being able to practice with the older boys too. He is pretty good. I can't wait to see him play...which will start after Satchel's has ended. Needless to say our yard will be neglected until summer begins and baseball ends. :)

Other fun stuff coming up includes a little get-a-way for me this weekend. A friend of mine that use to live in our neighborhood is driving to Idaho to visit her sister. She invited me along and we are going to make a girl's trip of it for the weekend. Next week BYU Women's Conference starts and should be a fun and spiritual couple of days.

Well, I hope you all are doing well.

Satchel turns 8....

(I was taking pictures for the program for his baptism. I think this is a keeper.)

Well I am officially the parent of an 8 year old. I don't know what it is, but just the thought that he is eight and has been baptized make me feel like I should be 10 years older.

(I told him to look "thoughtful" and this is what he gives me.) :)

It was kind of a crazy time leading up to his birthday. I think Andrew and I were all too aware of the little time we had left before we knew he would be fully accountable for his decisions. We wondered if we had taught him enough and I guess we will never truly know.

He is a very sensitive, loving, helpful boy. He has always been very mild-mannered and kind to others. Now, I am not saying that he is perfect, because I know we all have our days and so does he. I am saying that he generally just tries to be a good boy and succeeds most of the time.

(His birthday game.) :)

His birthday was on a Saturday this year. In the morning we gave him his present from us (a board game...what else would Andrew want to give him?). :) Gehrig used his own money to get him additional guys for his game. I was really proud of how generous that was of him. So most of the morning all he wanted to do was look at the figurines and play with it. In the afternoon we went to his favorite place "with lots of food".... Chuck-a-Rama. There they ate their fill and Satch was so happy when the servers came over and sang Happy Birthday to him. After lunch we went to Hastings and let Satch pick out a movie and he chose to buy the first season of He-Man. It is kind of fun that he is watching what we grew up with.

(Birthday kisses at Chuck-a-Rama)

The following weekend was his baptism. On Friday we were making cookies all night for the people that came. Saturday morning we woke up at 6am to get ready and meet Grandma Rino and Breezy for breakfast. It was nice to be able to hang out with them. The kids loved being able to go out to breakfast and the fact that Grandma and Breezy were there only made it better.

(Passing time while waiting for our food. Who knew jelly packets could be so fun?)

(Shouldn't she be illegal? She is too cute.)

After breakfast we went home to change and left for the church. We got everything set up in the chapel and had a wonderful program. Our friend and Second Councilor in the Bishopric, Christian Hall, conducted. We sang "I am trying to be like Jesus." My sister, Breezy, said the opening prayer. I know she was nervous, but she did a wonderful job. Andrew's brother Jeff gave a talk about baptism. Andrew teased him afterwards that it seemed more like an Elder's Quorum talk. :) Satchel was baptized by his Dad (with Jeff and Pops witnessing). It was so nice to know that my husband has the authority to baptize him and that he lives worthy of his priesthood. My father didn't baptize me and I can just imagine how special that would have made it. We came back into the chapel and my friend Jessica accompanied my SIL Lexi, who played her violin. Afterwards, Pops gave a great talk about the Holy Ghost and to my amazement Satchel was still attentive. :) He then was given the Holy Ghost. He asked his Cub Scout Leader (Brandon Sholly) to be there in the circle...he really loves scouts AND the Shollys. Our Primary President (Rebecca Miller) gave a few words and then Andrew got to talk on behalf of the Bishopric welcoming him to the ward. He did such a great job. We ended by singing "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" and my cousin Lisa gave the closing prayer.

(William and Aunt Lexi)

(My sister, Breezy, and my mom)

Ultimately it was a very intimate gathering. From my family only my mother, sister and cousin came. Andrew's parents, brother and sister-in-law, and uncle were there. Then we had friends from our ward (Christian, Rebecca, Hollie with Anna, Renee, the Shollys, and the Shaffers). I guess I should have spread the word more, but I know that Satchel still felt loved even though every seat wasn't filled.

(Satchel and Gehrig were busy running around with their friends so we have a lot of pictures of Emma. :) Here she is with her Grandma Sproul that she loves so much.)

(All the kids)

(The Shollys with Satch...Thanks so much for coming guys.)


(Renee, Hollie, and Jessica)

After the baptism we went out to lunch with Andrew's family to Chili's. It is kind of our family's place. We usually go after the General Priesthood Session. Again it was nice to have time to visit and REALLY nice to be able to change out of my skirt...what can I say? I am a pants kind of girl. :)

(I swear they take the best pictures. :) Uncle Jeff and Aunt Lexi)

Well, it was going to happen sooner or later...

The boys have definitely rubbed off on Emma. She would follow them around and mimic little things that they said but I think today takes the cake....

We are sitting in the kitchen. I am making lunch and Emma is playing at the table. All the sudden she toots (or farts, or whatever you call it at your house) and so I look at her. We are potty training and to be truthful it seemed like it might not be more than just a harmless bit of gas. Anyhow, I look over and she has a smile from ear to ear. She says, "Mommy did you hear that? It was my bum!" and immediately begins to laugh like a crazy woman. WHERE DID MY SWEET 2 YEAR OLD GO!?! We are hopelessly outnumbered. Soon I am going to find her going potty standing up. :)