I AM the "Fun Mom"

Does anyone else feel as a mother you are always the bad guy? The one making them do their chores, practice the piano, do their homework, be kind to their siblings, have manners at the dinner table, respect adults, not watch to much TV, pick up their clothes, be responsible, telling them "no they can't have sleep overs...."(seriously, the list could go on and on).

And then Dad walks in the door from work, and it is PLAY TIME!! The "Disneyland Dad" as my sisters and I like to call it. They talk about school, eat dinner together (that mom has made), maybe go to the church and shoot baskets, go outside and ride bikes, have a few treats, wrestle on the living room floor, and then read a book before bed. Man, that is the life!

So, in light of wanting to be the "fun mom" I decided to take my two oldest kids to see the "Bodyworld" exhibit. To make sure I was extra fun I took them at 1:00 in the morning on the last day of the exhibit. My kids thought I was awesome! What mom lets them go to bed at 9:00pm and then wakes them up at 12:00 midnight to go on a fieldtrip?

Only a FUN MOM!

And that was me they exclaimed!! All of my hard work - and I was finally the "FUN MOM"! "Dad would have never done that", they said.

SUCESS Finally!

shh....I didn't tell them that the only reason we went at this absurd time was because I totally procrastinated going to this exhibit until the very last day it was open....and it was totally sold out except in the middle of the night! Oh well - it makes for great memories. Just for your information....it was packed at 1:00 am and our kids were the only ones there under the age of 18! So, truly I was the "fun mom"! (Thanks Celesta for being crazy enough to come with me)

The exhibit was so fascinating! My kids both are still talking about it. I was totally engrossed in every moment. All of my BYU Anatomy Lab days started rushing back to me....remember Sherine? I LOVED IT and would highly recommend it.

St. George, Celebrities, and Dogs

We decided to escape this dreary weather and head to sunny St. George. And, sunny it was!

60 DEGREES!!!

And so BEAUTIFUL!

I could live there....in the winter that is!




We had such a relaxing time, doing absolutely nothing! No laundry, no schedules, no school, no homework, no basketball games, no dance classes.....nothing but lots of swimming, basking in the sun at the park, hiking, golfing, golf ball hunting, movie watching, and playing as a family.




It was exactly what we all needed!

While swimming one day, I encountered a celebrity! Now, I have seen a few celebrities in my day....Alicia Keys, Martin Short, Karl Malone (is he a celebrity?) and more.....but I was most excited about this sighting. (Any of you that are true bloggers would agree.)

Into the pool area walked C Jane and her family! If you don't know C Jane and her family - you must click on her name and read her amazing and incredibly funny blog. When I saw her my initial reaction was to run up and give her a hug. Tell her what an incredible person I think she is, what an amazing writer, mother, and sister she is. How amazing she is for taking care of her sister's kids. How adorable her baby is in person, etc. etc. But my insecurities set in and I felt like I needed to give her family privacy. Instead I just gave her a big smile that I hoped portrayed my feelings.

One other exciting moment on our trip was picking up a little yorkie puppy for my sis-in-law. We thought it would be the perfect way to give our kids their "dog fix" since they can't stop begging for one.

Oh, how it backfired!

We wrongly took the kids with us to pick out the dog.....there were four of the cutest puppies wanting to be loved. So, obviously my kids thought we should take one home as well! We tried to explain that this wasn't a "spur of the moment" decision to make, and that although they were so cute - having a dog comes with much responsibility! This all fell on deaf ears because my kids bawled for a straight hour after leaving the dogs.

We are not talking just a little sniffling... we are talking about complete and utter crying! They were devastated, and we are definitely now "the meanest parents in the world".



Now, it is not that I don't like dogs....I don't mind them. It is just the fact that I have five kids -and I know that this dog will eventually become "my resposibility". I feel a little overwhelmed with my resposibilities as they are - that I am not sure I can add a dog in the mix. I can barely find a babysitter for my kids - and I don't even want to think about having to find a babysitter for my dog too. So, I would love to hear from you that have dogs.....do you recommend it??

More December Fun

I needed to document the rest of our December fun!



Kalli (my kids 2nd mom) got married! Love you Kals!

Annual Gingerbread House making party at Grandma Debbie's and Papa Bruce's

Pickleville Christmas Show, Family pics, and Christmas Eve at Grandma Nae and Papa Jer's

Phew! I think I am finally finished with December....but what a great month it has been.

Christmas Roundup

I LOVE Christmas. Always have since I have been little. It is so magical and wonderful. Kids are excited (and can be easily influenced into being good), people are kind, the decor everywhere is so beautiful, there are family parties galore, lots of good food. I just love the feeling!

As a mother, my favorite part is giving to my kids - and in turn teaching them about how exciting it is to give to others. I love teaching them about the ultimate gift we have all been given - our Savior Jesus Christ. It is just an all around wonderful holiday!

So here are a few pics to celebrate the occasion!



Christmas Morning: the kids all sleep together on Christmas Eve, wait at the top of the stairs...and then race down to see what Santa brought.



The "Christmas Hangover"



The party never ends!

Oh Yeah!

Merry Christmas! December has been so crazy, I forgot to post our Christmas card, for those who I don't have addresses for.





Hope you all had a restful holiday break. I am organizing pictures, and can't wait to post about our Christmas fun!

6 Months of Joy

The past six months have been nothing short of pure enjoyment for me and our entire family. Ava has added such a sparkle to our lives, and we all love her so much. It is so wonderful to have the kids speak so kindly when they are around her. They shower her with hugs and kisses constantly. I think every family needs a baby in the house - to keep that loving, calm, peaceful feeling that babies bring.

I can't believe she is already 6 months (well, actually almost 7 now) and I am trying so hard to take advantage of every moment I have with her. Time goes too quickly, especially when they are so young.

Thank you Ava for blessing us with so many things....her are a few we love:

beautiful toothless grin
chubby hands and feet
rolly, squishy thighs
soft bald head
totally laid back personality
shiny blue eyes
jibber jabber voice
contagious belly laugh

Love you "chubba bubba" (Halle's nickname for Ava)

My Boy is 11!

Kason turned 11 years old last week. How is it possible that I have an 11 year old? I can't figure that out....since I am sure that I am still 25 :)

I love the excitement a birthday brings for kids. Don't you remember that as a kid you would make sure everyone knew you were 10 1/2 and not just 10? Or, that it was your birthday in 2 months and you would be 11? Funny that as adults we no longer do the count down!

Kason had been counting down the days to his birthday for weeks.

He woke up ecstatic to open presents, go to school, and then celebrate his birthday with dinner and bowling.

I love this "big boy" so much!

He has a wonderful spirit about him, and I am amazed by his wisdom everyday.

He has a sensitivity for others' feelings that not many other people possess.

He has a drive to be the very best at whatever he does.

He loves all sports, especially basketball, soccer, and baseball!

He loves to watch the Utah Jazz with his Dad at night - in fact, he sneaks out of bed at night(when he is supposed to be asleep)to finishing watching with his Dad...and I usually don't know:)

He loves music....even the piano (although he doesn't admit it).

He is extremely responsible and takes great care in following instructions that are given....this makes him an excellent babysitter!

He loves his sisters and brother with all of his heart - and they love him back!

He has a special relationship with Braden....they just "get each other", and it is so heartwarming to watch.

He is very inquisitive and has been since he could talk.

He asks very good questions....and keeps asking more until he feels satisfied with the answer.

He is so extremely honest. His innate sense of wrong and right is amazing!

He is a great friend.

He respects girls (even though some boys at school make fun of him for opening a door for a girl)

He gives his coat to girls when they don't have one and are cold....(seriously, I love this boy!)

He wants to be "doing something" constantly. In fact, he knows what is on the calendar before I do - he is my "human calendar".

Kason, thank you for making me a mother. You are a wonderful person, and I am so proud of you. You make our family complete in every way. I love you so much! Happy Birthday