Christmas in April!

I just have to say one thing, well several things but all with one point, Hooray for Hand-Me-Downs. I was up late one night thinking about the fact that warmer weather was upon us and that my boys will soon be getting too warm in their long sleeves and denim jeans . I was experiencing a little anxiety because I am fully aware that I am married to one of the greatest, and cheapest, men in America and that buying a new summer wardrobe for both children would take some convincing. Then it dawned on me, Tanner could be the recipient of Luke's old summer clothes which are still in great condition and are not too far out of style. I rushed to the storage room, ripped open the container marked, "Kids' Clothes," and began pulling out one warm weather outfit after another. It was like Christmas all over again, only this time much cheaper. I was thrilled! So much so that I even decided to compose this very entry to post on my blog about this very matter. Perhaps it is the fact that I am the oldest child and was rarely a recipient of the dreaded hand-me-down (other than the occasional unit from Misty and Amy Hoaldridge), that allows me to feel this intense love for used clothing, or maybe it is because I am the mother of two shirt staining, pant tearing, fast growing boys. Whatever it is, may I echo myself once again in saying, HOORAY FOR HAND-ME-DOWNS!

Precious Moments

I carried my camera around today in an attempt to get a few pictures of Brielle smiling and I got a few cute ones. I know that it might be lame to take pictures of myself with my kids, but I have very few so I thought that a few would be okay.
I just love this cheesy grin!
Tanner thought it was funny to continuously scratch Luke on the arm, so after several attempts to make him stop, we actually had to pull over and give him a good little lecture. He was so sad that Luke took his hand and comforted him. Eventually Luke fell asleep, but I thought this moment was priceless.

Going, Going, Gone!

I finally decided that my long shabby hair and I needed to part ways. I got up the courage to chop it all off, and I have no regrets. My new short hair will take a little getting used to, but at least now I don't have the good old pony tail to fall back on when I don't feel like doing my hair.

It was a way great play date!

Well, my dear friend Lynsey had a great idea to get together today for a little lunch and a lot of fun. The kids had a great time, well all of them except for my two boys who had to leave the party early because of their aggressive behavior. The big girls also had a lot of fun playing together. I am so lucky to have such great friends! Here are some of the pictures from our joyous day.
Brielle and Brecken
Alisha and Kids
Annie, Marci, and KidsMeagan and KidsLynsey and Kid
Leslee and Kid
Kaydee and Kid
Annie and Kid

Date Night

Last month Launey and I decided that it is important that each of our kids get some quality one-on-one time with us, and it has been hard to provide that time unless we actually plan it. So, we decided that a good way to do that was to have date nights. Each month each kid gets to go on a "date" with a parent. Last month Luke and I went to Color Me Mine, where he painted a beautiful red dog, and Launey and Tanner went to Jumpin' Jacks. This month Tanner and I went to the Dinosaur Museum (he absolutely loved it) and Luke and Launey are going to a Blaze game or a Jazz game. It has been a lot of fun for all of us and hopefully it will set a good foundation for open relationships between us and our kids. Brielle will be thrown into the mix someday, but for now, I am not sure how much she would enjoy, and frankly I don't think that she has caught on that she is getting left out. Someday I will be pumped to be able to take her to do "girly" things, do they have princess parties anywhere nearby?

T-Ball is Terrific!

When I was pregnant with Luke and I found out that I was having a boy, one of the first things I thought was, "I can't wait to see him play t-ball!" That is a true story. For some reason I have always had a thing for those tiny kids playing ball, I just think it is so darn cute. Luke had his first game ever on Thursday. He loved it, and I was gushing with pride the whole time. I can't believe I have a boy old enough to play! Time sure flies. Here are some pictures of the little cutie at his first game. In case you were wondering, they tied, go figure.

Playing Catch-Up

For some reason I haven't been able to post as often as I would like to lately. So, while I have a few moments of blissful quiet I decided that I would do some catching up. Brielle turned three months on the fifth of April so I am posting a picture of her on that day, I will also post a couple pictures of the boys. The one of Tanner is of him in our tiny sandbox completely content even though Luke had been dumping sand right on his head for about ten minutes. The picture of Luke is of him in his beloved (by him only) cowboy hat. I can never get him to take the darn thing off! Finally I am posting a picture of Launey and the boys with Launey's favorite project, his '67 Camaro.

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Geneology

Launey and I went to the temple last week and did sealings. I felt the Spirit really strongly while I was there and I felt so honored to be a part of sealing those families together. However, I got thinking of all of my own family members who are waiting for their work to be done and it sparked some interest in me to look into my geneology. I can see how it can become addicting. I now have three names ready to take to the temple, and I have 7 others that I could take if I get permission from their direct decendants because they are my great-great-aunts, uncles, cousins etc. It has been a lot of fun, hopefully I can keep up on it. I also looked up my ancestoral file on my grandpa's side and found out that several kings of England, France, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, and Scottland were my great great . . . . grandparents. Kind of cool! And yes, I know that I sound like an old lady.

Tag

TAG! Here we go . . . . . . .
A--Attached or Single? Attached to my best friend Launey for almost six years now.
B--Best friend? Well I guess I already answered that, Launey is for sure my best friend, but my kids will always be my best buddies.
C--Cake or Pie? Cake - for sure! I am not a huge pie fan, but my favorite is cheesecake which is kind of a pie with a cake name hmm figure that one out.
D--Day of Choice? I like Saturday because it is what it is, but once a month I love Wednesday (Buncos)
E--Essential Item? Naps! Are naps considered items? Well whether they are or not, they are essential, not for me but for my kids. I couldn't survive without them.
F--Favorite Color? That depends, I love brown when paired with pink, blue, or green, I love black clothes, and I think that blue is oddly cheery.
G--Gummy bears or worms? Worms
H--Hometown? Nephi
I--Indulgence(s)? Blogging and Ice Cream
J--January or July? July for sure I really dislike January, it is still cold but the excitement of Christmas is over, it is kind of a bummer month for me.
K--Kids? Yes, two wild and wonderful boys, Luke and Tanner, and one little princess, Brielle.
L--Life is incomplete without? My Family
M--Marriage date? June 20, 2002
N--Number of siblings? 1 sister, 1 brother
O--Oranges or apples? I have been on an orange kick lately.
P--Phobias or fears? I would have to echo Lynsey in the fear that something would happen to my family. Other than that I am completely afraid of mice and bees.
Q--Quotes? Somestimes the best things in life aren't things.
R--Reasons to Smile? My family!
S--Season? I love fall!
T--Tag 5 people? I am really a failure in this area because every blogger I know has been tagged. Oh, maybe Natalie Park, one is better than none.
U--Unknown Fact? Launey quite possibly does more laundry than I do.
V--Very Favorite Store? I love The Children's Place Outlet. They always have such good deals!
W--Worst Habit? Slacking on laundry.
X--X-ray or ultrasound? ultrasound for sure. I love seeing my tiny little babies when I am pregnant.
Y--Your favorite food? Chinese and ice cream
Z--Zodiac? Libra? I have no idea!