Warms my heart

This boy is just too cute for words. Seriously, he's been SO snuggly and lovey lately. Giving me the best hugs and kisses. I just love this kid! It's so fun to start seeing his personality coming out. He reminds me a lot of Ashlyn actually. Or at least he seems more similar to her personality wise, than to Leah or Brandon at this age. I would say I'm a lucky momma! My kids may drive me bonkers some times (sorry kids if you are reading this some day), but they are pretty awesome in my book. 

And seriously!!! I did not put them up to this. They got scripture marking pencils at church last week and so this is what they decided to do while I was fixing dinner a few night ago. True Leah doesn't really know how to read, but still. I thought it was dang adorable! 

And then tonight Ashlyn asked me to download the scripture to her kindle. I may or may not have a shed a tiny tear. 

Getting in the blogging mood

I haven't been in the blogging mood lately, but after ordering my 2009 blog book last week, I figured I better get moving so I don't get too behind. Plus if I wait too long to post anything I start hearing it from the Grandparents. Maybe I should hold the pictures at ransom instead. Maybe it'll make them come for a visit. That would be more fun for us!

Anyway, see these two cuties! This is Leah with her little buddy Audrey (who is actually Brandon's age). Her and her family are moving up here in a few short months and I think Leah has found the little sister she doesn't have. These two spent hours dressing up together and moving from room to room and activity to activity.

The twins turned one! Heather threw a smashing "Dr Seuss" party for them. I'm telling ya, these are some lucky girls. I think their cakes cost as much as my wedding cake did. And I'm not really exaggerating by that much! 

They were some pretty cute cakes (there was another cake too for everyone else to eat. Red velvet and DELICIOUS). The girls weren't too into their cakes. But they got a few little tastes in. I think they mostly were just tired and ready for a nap, which they had to take right after this picture was taken.

Celebrated Brooke's Birthday down at The Americana on Brand. This was in true Brooke spirit. Surrounded by girls and eating frozen yogurt. There wasn't much shopping involved. Not with the slew of kids we had with us, but it was still fun to walk around and spend time together. 

Emily(with Simon) and Jackie. Two of my favorite Encino peeps!

Carter and Brandon got to come along with me. They were pretty good and had a fun time running around and being silly.

Trying to get myself into a shot here and there. Here we are riding a trolley around The Americana Mall.

  

The kids had a blast watching the water show that goes off every hour.

My latest card for card club. The theme was kids birthdays. 

Another Ashlyn set up. She loves to set up homes for her polly pockets and my little ponies. It's hard to tell from this picture, but she has a bathroom, bedroom, eating area, and music area in this picture. And a mail spot outside.

The boys are starting to play together more and more. I'm loving it. Brandon even asked me the other day when baby Carter was going to wake up because he wanted to play with him outside. Now to just get Brandon to quit calling him "BABY" Carter. 

Oh and I FINALLY got a new rug for the playroom. Saw it at Target and knew it would match perfectly. I'm glad I waited until I found the perfect one. (ignore the mess in the background)

Yesterday was our Ward's Annual Pancake Breakfast and Easter egg hunt. It's put on by the Primary, which means I'm heavily involved. I have to say it was a great success. This is the third one our presidency has done, so we have it down to a science. Breakfast was great! Even came with colored pancakes (thanks to Brooke) and homemade Buttermilk syrup (also thanks to Brooke). Bacon and sausage, OJ and milk. Yum yum! And this year I even got to eat some of it. Michalle had some great activities laid out for the kids to keep them entertained, and Lauren did a great job with the egg hunt. 

Brandon had to stay home with Daddy cuz he was coughing too much, but the girls came with me and had a great time. I was so proud of them for behaving while I was running around helping set up, cook, and etc. They even got their own plates of food and sat down to eat.

Ashlyn is in Senior primary this year and being that she is the youngest and one of only four girls, she only got a few eggs before the boys tore threw and got them all (we split the hunt into age groups). Leah was so sweet and shared a bunch with her. I was very proud of her. She even found one with a peep in it (which is Ashlyn's favorite) and was excited to give it to her. I swear this girl can be so thoughtful lately. I'm really proud of her. Yes, I know I already said that. I can say it again!

And this quote is for my friend Brooke, who a while ago posted about a quote she found on pinterest that she didn't like. Here's one I think she will! And I love it too! It is SOO true. So to all you friends and family out there reading my blog (okay, so I know there aren't many of you), know that just because we aren't close in distance doesn't mean I love you any less!  

Went to see The Hunger Games yesterday with a bunch of wonderful friends and their hubbies. I don't think I've cried so much in a movie in years. Seriously loved it. It wasn't as violent as the books, which I was grateful for. Even though it was still violent. I feel like the books described it all a lot more. Either that, or I was able to quickly close my eyes for the yucky scenes in the movie and I couldn't do that in the book. So whatever the case, I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again!

The photo is kind of dark, but from left to right is 

Hyrum and Becky, Paul and me, Danny and Tina, Lauren and Josh, Brooke and Jason

That's all for now!

Preschool Pictures

If I had thought Brandon was actually going to cooperate during school pictures, I might have dressed him better. But then again, maybe not. He's kind of picky about his clothes. If I had dressed him better, he might not have cooperated. I know how this sweet little boy works. He knows how to win his momma over in one little sentence, but he also knows how to break my heart. He once told me if I didn't get him what he wanted that he wasn't going to "snuggle" with me anymore. Seriously!!! He said that to me. Cuz he knows I love him to snuggle with me. So he thought he'd find what would hurt most and threaten me with it. But on the other hand, he can be sweet as a rose. Once he walked up to me just to tell me I was beautiful! Then he went back to his guns and swords and action figures. See....he's a boy. And boys are crazy like that. Hahaha...

Now back to school pictures. So he cooperated. I'm still in shock. And even more than that, he looks adorable! I love them. And I love that he loves going to preschool. And loves Grandma K. And tells me all the time to never take him to "summer camp" again, cuz he didn't like it there. He only likes Grandma K. Seriously, I don't know what she does to win him over, but it works. Really, I do know. She loves him. Like really and truly. She loves all the kids she teaches. And you can tell. She puts her whole heart into it and I love her for it!

Catching up

I've gotten a little behind on my blogging, so here is a mish mosh posh (whatever you want to call it) of some things we have been up to lately.

Ladybug Music Class. Carter loves it! And I love going with him. He's so cute during class (of course I am biased). He loves the songs, loves playing with the instruments and loves his teacher. It's so much fun!

Ok, so he doesn't look like he's having fun here. It's just the picture. I think he was trying to figure out why he could see himself on my screen. And I look kind of freaky in this picture, but whatever. 

Card club. My friend Becky started a monthly card club at her house. Each person in it makes 12 of the same card, we meet together, swap cards and end up with 12 unique handmade ones. It's so fun. Mine are never over the top fancy or anything, but I think they are "all right". Here's my card from last month. The theme was wedding (obviously). 

Brandon playing in the back yard. Using his "tools" to "fix" the swing. He's been into "Bob the Builder" lately. I love it. It's such a cute show and so much better than Batman and Spiderman and all those action figure shows I try to not let him watch too much of. Not that I'm against them. I just think he's still kind of young for them.

Becky, Me, Tina and Brooke at a taping of "THE ELLEN SHOW". It was so much fun. Seriously came home COMPLETELY exhausted (which meant I also had a headache of course), and Paul being the awesome guy he is, was so nice and let me just kind of relax the rest of the evening even though he had played "Mr. Mom" all day. Thanks honey! You really are the best!

 We started out bright and early (6:30 am) and in line for standby tickets. We chatted and laughed, had a yummy relaxing breakfast, went to the mall, got lunch, got ON the show (thanks to Becky and Tina and their awesome looks), and danced with Ellen. Seriously we got great seats and Ellen danced right down our aisle. Becky got picked to dance on stage before the taping started. She totally rocked the stage. We were laughing and yelling and dancing almost the whole time. It's amazing there was any time for the actual guests. There was some major energy going on in that room and we all came out on a high, but exhausted at the same time. We stopped for a Jamba Juice and some Krispie Kreme doughnuts (wow, we are SO healthy) and got home around 6:30 pm. Can't wait to do it again.