Valentine's Day

TRADITIONS, TRADITIONS......

It has been a long tradition in our family to have a 'fancy' dinner on Valentines Day--When I was young, my Mom always made Valentine's Day special and about how much she loves us-- I LOVED it !!!!... So thanks to her, the tradition continues... we have a fancy, candlelight dinner- topped off with beautiful music playing in the background. I even pull out a table cloth -- we use the fancy plates, the fancy glasses, we actually fold the napkins and put candles on the table, we turn down the lights too-- I send the kids away while I get everything set up then surprise them when it is time to eat. We usually have a 'red' theme to the food we eat-- this year we went with steak (it was red to begin with-) we also have italian sodas-- my kids love them too!! This year I decided to make them each a giant sugar cookie in the shape of a heart with their own personal message. Because of this tradition-- I love valentines day and get so excited to change it up and do something each year that might surpise them. Sometimes I feel like all I do is gripe at them, things like, have you done your chores? Is your homework done? Did you practice piano? Put your stuff away. Did you brush your teeth? Set the table. Where are you going? Did you clean your room... the list goes on and on and on--It is fun to do something special and remind them that I love them all more than life itself and that I feel privelaged and blessed to be their Mother. They give my life so much meaning and purpose. The little notes, the smiles, the hugs make all of the blahhh stuff worth it!! I have the best job in the world-- the hardest at times- but definately the best!! At our house it was a great Valentines Day this year!! (Of course Shane did awesome for me, as usual, with flowers, a surprise breakfast and a sweet note- ...he is my favorite valentine...the best husband a girl could ask for- I thank my lucky stars everyday that I scored him 13 years ago!!!)

The FINAL Spread!!

THESE ARE MY 6 FAVORITE PEOPLE!!!

CARS!!

What is it with kids and driving??

It seemes that no matter how many times they drive a go-cart or 'race car'-- they always want more?? We took them to the Mini Grand Prix for #2's Birthday!! They had a blast!!

Mystery Girl in the front-- the four boys behind her were with us!!

Look at that concentration....

The funnest was #4-- he LOVED it!!! This is the first time he has been able to drive by himself-- He was so excited ...he forgot to pay attention and caused SEVERAL COLLISIONS!!! It was hilarious!! He had a hard time pushing the gas, steering and watching where he was going all at the same time.. It's a good thing the steering wheel is padded!!! No wonder 3 year olds aren't given drivers liscense's!!!

The girls kicked some booty too!!!

Triplets!!!

We're Having TRIPLETS.... join our family!!!

Number Two Turned 10!!!

Guess what he got for his birthday--

TURTLES!!!!

We got him one-- then he bought a second

and then his older brother decided he needed one too!

That brings the head count in our house to 2 adults, 5 children, 1 dog, 2 fish and 3 turtles-- for a total of 13!!! Isn't that against some 'code' or something??

You're It !!

This is my first 'tag'-- How fun!!! I am new at this so here goes-- I post the 6th picture in my 6th folder, then write something about it--

We had just moved to Las Vegas a couple of months before this picture--We decided to check out the sights and visit some of the nearby tourist attractions-- One of them happens to be the... ---HOOVER DAM---

I can't believe how much my kids have grown in three years. I remember them being so surprised that we could say "dam" and it wasn't a swear word-- they just kept saying it over and over again-- it was so funny!! It's not very often that we can all swear and get away with it. My little sister came with us too! What a fun time we had!! (walking around swearing all day)

Now its your turn-- I tag-- Carrie, Jill, Andrea, Cathy, Shalae, Peggy

We Call Her COUSIN IT!!!

As you can see, she is pulling out her hair band ... she has decided that she doesn't like things in her hair that make it look presentable...only things like oatmeal, crackers, mashed potatoes and boogies are allowed. So at any given moment she puts her strong little grip on whatever I have put in her hair to make it cute and pulls for dear life, often yelling out frustration in the process, as I am sure it hurts. If I try to stop her, she is all the more determined to yank it out--

The end result is a straggly, unruly mop that seems to favor only one place-- her face!! It also has a very strong attraction to her nose-- which, because of her cold is constantly running -thus resulting in a wirey clump of hair that gets stuck firmly to the end of her nose--removal of which also causes great discomfort to her...

You would think it would just be easier to keep her hair band in!!

Profile view of her special do!!

Oh, there she is!!!


If you look closely you can see the "nose stickage' on the left!!!
Shane thinks she needs a window... What do you think??

Boys and Football!!!

I decided I better do a post about what it is that my boys do every day from the time they get home from school until after dark......

FOOTBALL!!!!!

They LOVE it!! We have a neighborhood park right across the street from our house where all of the nearby boys gather to chase, tackle, injure and play with each other!! What Fun!! Bronco's here we come!!

#3 is Baptized!!!

January 31, 2009

It was a beautiful, bright sunny day- a perfect day to be baptized. It is hard to believe our little girl is already eight years old and now officially a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!!! The spirit was very strong during the meeting-- we were also able to share the day with many special friends from our old ward!! She was so excited and so looking forward to the day-- her beautiful white dress just glowed!! Shane was a proud Dad-- he did a great job and gave her a really neat blessing as well. Shane's Mom was able to come and spend the day and the weekend with us!! We appreciate her making the trip to be here with us! It was a truly special day for her and for our whole family!! We are very proud of her and her desire to be baptized, to follow the example of our Savior. She has such a sweet and loving spirit and a sincere desire to do what is right!! We are so blessed to be her parents and to have her in our family!!

The sun was so bright--

we didn't get a picture with both of their eyes open!!

What a Special Day!!!