Back to Reality..almost

Today the kids went back to school and I was a little sad that the Christmas vacation was officially over. We had such a great break doing absolutely nothing but spending time together. Sean had today off, so we did get a little date before he heads off to New Jersey for the week. I sure didn't accomplish what I wanted to today, but hanging out with Sean is much more fun than putting the house back together and doing laundry. Those things can wait.
Now back to school, work, homework, soccer practices, Church commitments, piano lessons, early morning seminary and anything else I forgot to mention. But... only 177 days of school till summer..I think I can make it!

Happy New Year!!!

I am the world's worst blogger!!! It is now 2011 and I haven't posted anything for about 10 months-yikes!!!
So, Here's to a new year and a new resolution to be a better blogger. Happy 2011! I know this year will be better than last year.
Let me know some of your goals for the upcoming year besides the diet/exercise thing we all have going on!!!

Happy Birthday, Sam!

Sam is a BIG teenager today! 13 years old- watch out world -here he comes!!! Love you, Sammy J!

Happy February!

I just sort of "skipped" January. It's okay though, February is such a fun, short month with many exciting happenings. Like, Valentine's Day, One more reason to eat chocolate. Also, Sam turns into a teenager this month! Two "teenie boppers" in one household, should be a bunch of fun! (Glad the girls are the later of the bunch-gotta gear up for that) Happy Birthday to you too, Andrea, on the 3rd. I hope you get LOTS of chocolate!

Happy New Year

Other than Georgia closing her eyes, this photo turned out okay. Everyone looks happy, so on that note...Happy New Year, 2010 - say it out loud - twenty-TEN. If you happen to know where the last decade went, could you let me know? I hope you all have a great celebration, out with the old and in with the new.

Christmas 2009

We QUICKLY drove out to the grape fields today to snap a Christmas photo. We had 15 minutes, the tripod AND tons of fun. This is one of the photos that we took, and no goofy faces-shocking since that's all we usually get!

December 16th

Yep, today is Dec. 16th. We have yet to TAKE our Christmas photo! If we could somehow "photoshop" Sean into the photo it might be a lot easier. He has been out of town for what seems like weeks now. He was able to make it home last night around 6:45 p.m. for the white elephant gift exchange with the YM/YW at our house; off to Seattle until Friday. Saturday looks good. Maybe the cards can be postmarked before the 24th- that my friends, would be a Christmas Miracle. Hope you are enjoying the season and not feeling too overwhelmed. I am in a "unrushed" mode, which is wonderful-hence the delayed photo!

Happy Birthday, Hannah!!!

Hannah is 11 years old today. She is the greatest girl and quite frequently I find photos of her on our computer that she has snapped "just for fun". This is one of them. Don't you love the way the color compliments her eyes??? I hope her 11th year is filled with fun, laughter, and magic. She is so wonderful and keeps us laughing. I love how once she starts, she can't stop. AND, She still thinks her Dad is funny! Happy Birthday to my "fan-tab-ulous" daughter. I love you!

Fall Food and other random thoughts

So I went grocery shopping today. Fun, right??? Not so much. Just another mundane task,you say, Well, I did get a little excited because Fall is in the air and everybody knows that cooking is just "WAY" better in the fall. There are so many yummy and delicious meals that just taste better in the cooler weather. Anyhow, Safeway was all a glow in holiday food displays. I almost jumped for joy just seeing the assortment and choices of chocolate bark and other holiday items that usually aren't front and center during the year. There were, also, more figs and candied fruit than I have noticed before. ( Note to self, please don't start baking fruit cake before Thanksgiving, or never, What is the shelf life of dates and figs anyway?) So, once again the food tastes better during the holidays AND the calories are scaring me because the pounds don't come off anymore. I'm off to make hot chocolate.

Poor neglected blog!

I have been a terrible blogger...and I say this much too frequently. Now our PC has something disturbing going on and I can't get my photos from all of our summer fun to place on my ever-so neglected blog! What to do- what to do? ( Does anyone really like blogs without photos??? For little kids, it's like a book without beautiful illustrations. Much better with a little picture every now and then.) Ohhh, and it is already October. I've missed July, August and September. I think the husband, kids, school, church, sports, and life got into the way of my blog...they have a way of doing that! Anyway, we have a two week "Fall Break" and it is actually quite magical. No early morning seminary to drive Patrick to, no homework to stay up and help with, that equals no voice raising for late night procrastinators, no stress of schedules, just bike rides, a few soccer games(they NEVER end) and great conversation about what to do after sleeping longer than normal. Life is good, isn't it?

Summer 2009

I must admit that I am a horrible blogger. I promise to do better.
This photo is one of my favorites from the summer...many more to come, stay tuned.

Super Sam

Sam and a few of his buddies bought super hero capes at Marine World yesterday while celebrating their departure of elementary school. I caught them in action today. On to 7th grade, up-up and away!!!

9th Grader in the House!

Patrick was promoted to 9th grade! Hip Hip Hurray! We are proud of him, and all the little ones! We love you, Puff!

Busy Week

We have had quite the week. I am sure that I am not alone with the business that goes on during the last week of school. It was a great school year and now we look forward to SUMMER. Here are some photos of the week. Sam, Hannah and Georgia all got awards at school for perfect attendance this year, pretty amazing, I think. Hannah had a class play, Sam is headed toward Middle School and Patrick on to High School (Seminary, too)

Happy Mother's Day

I hope every Mom and Mom to be had a wonderful day!!! The girls made me this clay message, loved it.

Kids say (write) the darndest things

Today in church, Georgia filled out a questionnaire of her likes and dislikes etc. At the bottom of the page it said,What do you want to be when you grow up? This was her answer written in her own handwriting, " I  only want to be a mom when I grow up. I don't want to work!" I had a great laugh and thought-

I sure have her fooled!!!

Spring photots

To all of my Utah friends and family, these lovely spring photos were taken during our spring break a few weeks back. The Temple was beautiful and the flowers were vibrant! Now I have to go and mow the lawn. Enjoy your snow, bye!

Patrick is 14!!!

Patrick turned 14 today on the 14th, yes it is his golden birthday. It will be a week long celebration for sure,that's how we do it over here. Cake and more cake!!!
Patrick, I love you and I am glad that you make me laugh so hard that I cry. I love your sense of humor and your zest for life. I hope you have a great day. Get excited because now you can go to ALL of the church dances! XOXO, MOMP.S. Yes I will post baby pictures soon, just like I did for Sam. (Patrick was one of THE cutest babies in the world!)

Two Words

March Madness. Need I say More?

Get on your boots

Sam bought the new U2 C.D. from itunes and now I have listened to it a zillion times since it debuted March 3rd. I really like it. U2 has to be one of the greatest bands around...I have enjoyed them mucho for at least 25 of my years. Check it out, and listen to "Get on your Boots" Really Loud!!!