Boys will be Boys!

Wow! February has almost come and gone and I'm feeling a little overwhelmed at keeping up with all that has happened! I keep thinking I need to leave enough time to do it all in one blow, but that's not possible...so I'll start with one of the things. This is the mighty Aztec Basketball team that Eli is playing on. What a bunch of goofy boys, huh? I think it's funny that boys are so....well I guess I should say CRAZY! This team has been one of our favorites just because it has all of Eli's favorite friends on it! As you can see, they all feel VERY comfortable. Enough to be pulling their shorts up a little high huh? THe people around us didn't seem to amused, but Logan and Schuyler sure did! In all seriousness, the boys have done really well! They have all played well and really given the teams a run for their money! Have they won all their games? Nope, but yes, they have won several and they just play so well together. I think it's because they all love and trust each other....we parents have a fun time on the side too!

 

Here they are a little more serious....well most of them anyway!
From Top Left: Coach Ben Ritchie, Joshua, Joseph, Logan S, Brayden, Gunner, Coach Ben Mecham
Bottom Left: Logan M, Schuyler, Crew, Eli and Grant

 

Hiking and Pancakes....A great combination!

I am really enjoying this stage of life right now. THis is probably my calm before my storm. I'm out of the diaper changing and potty training...not that it was a bad thing...I'm just having fun with my kids. I am noticing little glimpses here and there of what might be in store around the corner with teenagers! But I'm determined to enjoy each stage! We have been having fun getting to know kids and their families that are our kids' ages... On President's Day, the Williams family invited a few families to go hiking at Usery Park and have breakfast afterwards! It was a blast! It was a nice, easy hike that anyone could do! Even the 2 year old kids were hiking some of it. I will admit, my first thought was that we needed to stay at home and get some jobs done! I get the best work out of my kids first thing in the morning...but it's important to play too. (My kids won't believe I'm writing this!) Thanks Kristy for helping us have some fun!

As you can see, there is cactus all over the place. This particular cactus wasn't very forgiving when Abbie and Kia stepped on it! I guess this kind of cactus jumps out and attatches to you if you even brush up against it. So we feel grateful that their shoes brushed up against instead of their pants! YOUCH! That would've been painful!

Sure glad Jason could get those prickly things out of their shoes! What a hero!

This park is only about 10 or 15 minutes away from our house. IT's fun because it has a close place to hike, a playground, bathrooms and picnic benches! THis is my idea of getting away into the outdoors. It's not too far from home, and has some of the bare essentials. Now don't get too excited, cuz I'm not saying I like to camp. That's another story. I really DON"T like camping, but I like hiking and I like the outdoors...I just don't like to be away from the comforts of life too long. I know, I'm spoiled. But not really....

If there is ever some catastrophe (I hope I spelled that right) I want to be in the Williams or CLuffs camp. Look at this stove! They totally set the stove up, cooked for 6 families like it was nothing, filled us all up and then cleaned it up, and packed it back away! That's what I call being prepared!

Here we are hiking. NO, we don't have a new kid in the family. We just love little Henry and steal him every chance we get.

What a bunch of good looking boys! They were out hiking around and playing the whole time! We got home and found a few minor cuts and bruises, but all in all, it was a BLAST! We really should do stuff like this more often!

I've lost my mind! And my Fed-Ex package too!

Tuesday morning I needed to be ready to go to the airport by 8:30am.  I was leaving for another trip to San JOse to do hair.   THat doesn't sound too early, but I had to get my 3 kids to the bus and then had to run to the product store for a new carving comb (comb with a razor in it).....so I was a bit stressed.  I tend to run my life that way....I don't know why...I just think I can get more done than I ever have time for.  I thought I was all packed, and I was...I guess I forgot my medication....DARN!  I didn't notice until midnight.  To be honest, I'm not happy that I NEED to take medicine everyday, but what can I do about that?  So I called DAvid in a panic and asked him if he would PLEASE send my medicine Fed-EX overnight so I could get it ASAP.  He is such a kind and loving husband.  He agreed and didn't get irritated that I woke him up...I thought I had it all figured out.  Well, my cute husband went during his lunch hour to send my medicine, got the tracking number and everything.  He let me know what time it would arrive and was proud of himself!  Well, what do ya know?  He had a lady help him send it, and she put in our address as the address to send it to and the address here in San Jose as the return address.  So in a nutshell, we paid $10 to have my medicine sent from David's work to our house.  Hmmmm....not good.  I called the DR and she called in a prescription.  $12 for 3 pills!  Oh well, at least I have them.  I guess I should have just done that in the first place.  I should learn my lesson and start packing earlier.  I am just not a fan of packing and since I leave every 6 weeks....and it's to work, I'm really not excited about packing.  But it NEVER fails, I always leave something!  My toothbrush, my contact solution, my scissors, you name it.  I end up buying something everytime!  I guess that's just the way it goes.  Keeps life interesting, huh?

Mom Phrases!

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Annoying (but very funny) Mom phrases! @ Yahoo! Video

I love this!  I really don't have to say much about it.  I think we've all said these things to our kids!   It's nice to know we're all in the same boat.  We're all more similar than different!

Just the two of us.....

Last weekend the young women in our ward were doing a fund raiser for girls camp and did some babysitting.  The hours were kind of funny, 6-9 which is right in the middle of movie times.  I REALLY want to see that movie called BLIND SIDE with Sandra Bullock.  We decided to go to the RAINFOREST CAFE to eat instead.  Studies show that you talk more during a dinner than a movie.  LOL  Just kidding on studies, it's just a plain fact.  So, it's good we were able to get out just the two of us.  These pictures really don't do the restaurant justice.  That place is very calming and relaxing.  All the jungle looking stuff and the fish.  It's so fun to just be there.  THe shrimp was yummy, David's fajitias were delicious....my salad, well, it was a salad, but definitely not to die for.  Ok, if I can be honest without sounding like Debbie Downer, I well......the chicken was TERRIBLE!  It tasted like it was quickly boiled in water with no spices or anything!  I much prefer BJ's salad or Costa Vida, or Chilis.    But I was still out with my main squeeze, which is the main attraction anyway.    I am happy to have such a great man in my life.  He definitely keeps me sane!  I think it's really important to get out as a couple.  We aren't always great about that.  Life gets busy.  I'm excited that Mason is almost old enough to leave at home and have as our babysitter!  I am enjoying this stage of life SO much!

Girlfriends

Where would we be without girlfriends? I really DON'T know! I have had some really close friends that I feel are more like sisters. Abbie is here in all her glory. SHe and her friends went upstairs and decorated her walls with their homemade snowflakes and then played dress up! I love it when I see my kids playing like we used to! Oh to be a kid again....then again, I don't think I'd do it all over....I like where I am now....

I help at the kids school on Thursdays.  I feel like it's really important to be involved and to see what is happening.  I like to know who the kids' friends are and most importantly, I like to know where I can help my children do better!  SO, I walked into Abbie's class and scanned the room to see her, wanting to wave and say hello.....I didn't see her pretty little face among the other students, guess where I found her?

Her desk was by the teacher's desk.  Abbie has to be TOTALLY isolated because......she TALKS too much!  Where on earth could this be from?  I can't imagine!  :)  I asked the teacher if she could put her in the front of the room so she couldn't watch everyone around her and maybe she would stay on task better.  Guess what she said?  "Oh, I already tried that!  Abbie had her head turned to the back of the class watching everyone most of the day!  I kept asking her to turn around.  So, I thought if I put her at the back of the classroom, she could see everything and everyone and would pay attention better, but instead that just makes her talk to everyone about what is going on!"

Abbie is a great student and gets good grades, I just need to figure out how to get her to not be so social!  I've offered her favorite treat (Cheetos) if she doesn't get her card flipped....that worked ONE day, and now I've told her she can't play after school if she needs to play during school.  What's a mom to do?  Any ideas?