Some snow and other winter thoughts!

George is home all week and I was so glad that it snowed today. After braving Target (not bad at all:), we came home to quite a bit of really wet snow. Sam went right down for a nap, so the kids and George and I all went out to build Frosty! We made a really big snowman with oranges for eyes and a banana for a nose. It was so much fun! When I thought " I should go out and take a picture of him",the snow had turned to rain so he was very misshapen and the wind had blown him over. The snow is practically gone now and our poor snowman looks like he came from a page of a Calvin and Hobbes comic book. You know, the one where there is a snowman that is knocked over by a sled whose head fell off as other snowmen are looking on in horror? Too funny!

I don't ever get to go outside with the kids because I am not sure what to do with Sam, so I was excited to be outside today. I dressed the kids up so warm, but I came in quick because nothing warm fits me...I am too pregnant! Ah, well, next winter I WILL NOT be pregnant, right? Right!

It's been so fun to have Geo home. He always has so much vacation time at the end of the year that he can usually take a whole week off during Christmastime. It's always hard for me when he has to go back to work. We have lots of fun and the kids love it when he is home. I believe that this will be a long winter as there is not much to look forward to in January or February and this baby isn't due until the end of March. I think that I need to find a long project or lots of small ones. Any ideas?

This is quite the wandering post, sorry. Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas!

All I want for Christmas is a Tape Measure

The good part happens at about 23 seconds...

Thanksgiving!

Here are my super belated shots of Thanksgiving. Family, food, the table, the mantle...it was sooo much fun to have everyone here. My mom and sister and sister-in-law all pitched in with the food (I only had to do the relish tray:) so there was no stress there. I was really in a "nesting" mood, so cleaning the house was easier than usual. The sleeping situation caused some stress, but only because Sam decided to scream for 2 hours at 2 am and there were lots of people in the house that were awake because of him. He did have a new tooth in the morning:)

It was so much fun to have everyone here. I am glad that they could all make the trek up here. I hope we get to do it again next year! See the pictures way, way further down this page :)

My brother does dishes?

Abby, Megan and Liz

Little Ellie

Making Cinnamon Rolls with Grandma

Dad getting ready to carve the turkey

The Thanksgiving Table!

Christmas mixed with fall decor...gotta love it!

Has it really been a month?

So, yes. I am the world's worst blogger. But the problem is that when there is time to blog in the evenings, Geo is on the computer where I can post pictures. I hate blogging without pictures! So, I haven't blogged. But, some will come. I have to tell about Thanksgiving, Levi's cute singing program, Sam's 1st birthday and all that. So, look for new stuff soon! :)

My Brother Ben

It soon will be 33 years to the day of my brother's coming into the world. Wow, that means that I am almost 30...yikes! But, I digress!

I wanted to share some memories I have of Ben for his birthday. And no birthday is complete without a JibJab movie, right? Right! So here goes...

First the JibJab movie:)
http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/3208124

Here are some of my memories!

1. Mom always tells the story when Ben and I were very young and she took us into the bathroom while she took a shower. She told Ben to watch me while she was showering. She gets out and I am IN the toliet. She says to Ben, "I told you to watch her!" And he says, "I am watching her...she's in the toilet."

2. I was greatly influenced by his choice of music. Depeche Mode, Pet Shop Boys, Erasure and lots of others became my favorites because that is what I heard all of the time. Go 80s techno!

3. I always hated driving with him...especially to early morning seminary on icy mornings. I do believe there were many donuts done with me screaming in the passenger seat.

4. Ben and I got along great as soon as he moved out of the house:) Before then, I remember an audio cassette being thrown at my head during one of our spats. But I also remember looking forward to him coming home for family dinners every once and awhile.

5. Ben marrying Shanon was the best thing he has ever done. We have fun memories with the both of them. Their wedding, Thanksgiving holidays, doing Christmas, our family trip to Colorado, riding up that ski lift with our kids and no safety bar...

Ben, I hope you are loving your life right now and will enjoy your birthday. We wish you lived closer so our kids could get to know their "Uncle Ben" :) You are a great man and a great brother! Happy Birthday Benjy!

We love you! Anna and George and Levi, Natalie, Sam, and (soon) baby Maggie

My Husband

I just want to blog about how grateful I am for my husband. George is absolutely my best friend and I am so thankful for him. He really steps up when I need him...like when I am sicker than a dog and can't take care of kids. He thinks of my needs and takes the time to fulfill them. He is very thoughtful. He is an amazing dad to our children. I love talking to him late at night. I could go on and on!

But most of all, I am thankful for the things he has done lately for the spirituality of our family. He has always been such a wonderful example to me. He is such a joy in my life. I am thankful that the Lord has given him to me to be with forever. How blessed I am! I love you Geo!

The Square Dance

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Hilarious Video!

You have to check this out! My brother in law found this site called "jibjab" that makes this funny, funny videos...anyway, the last one that he made was of Sam and Natalie.

Here's the link:
www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/2569562

Enjoy!!

It's a.....

GIRL!!! We're so excited! Her name (right now, anyway) will be Magnolia and go by Maggie. I would name her just Maggie, but those of you who know George's preferences know that I could never get away with that. You can't name a kid a nickname!

Everything looked great on the ultrasound and we got kind of a freaky picture of her looking right at the "camera". It was perfect for Halloween...a tiny little skull face! Can't believe that I am halfway!

It's baby fever around here as my sister just had her second. Congrats, Liz! I am getting excited and feeling the baby move. The best feeling ever. It makes everything real!

Decorating Tips

I promise that this is my last blog tonight. See what I mean...I really do blog in waves! But I need some advice. I have family coming on Thanksgiving to my new house and I have a dining room that we NEVER use that needs something! I really want to put something up on the walls and have no idea what! I am so bad at this! Does anyone have anything creative? It is 2 tone very neutral brown and off-white with a white chair rail around the room. Please? I ordered some pretty candle things for the table, but that's also an issue. I don't have a table cloth or any cloth napkins or dishes for that matter...but I think my mom is bringing her china.

Anyway..I digress. If you have any ideas at all or websites or stores that you like, let me know! I need help!

Quality Grandpa Time!

Levi gets his first call from a girl!

Levi and Natalie enjoyed talking to Katie a while ago. It was a cute moment as they chatted about toys and grandmas! We miss you Katie and Leo and Shanna!

My little Samwise is growing up!

Jack o' Lanterns

Halloween is upon us and since we bought 10 pumpkins at a roadside stand ($1 each!) I thought we should carve some of them. We had lots of fun and Great-Grandma Hazel and Grandma Linda were able to share in the festivities! Neither Levi or Natalie wanted to handle the "gunge" in the pumpkins so they mostly watched while George and I cleaned and carved. Levi wanted to scary (of course..is that a boy thing?) and Natalie DID NOT want scary. In fact, she didn't even want to look at Levi's pumpkin.

It was great fun and I think they look great on our porch. Levi wanted to burn candles in them until Halloween, but seeing as my only candles are Partylite (you know...the expensive, wonderfully smelling ones?) I refused:) George, of course, spent an hour after the kids were in bed to carve his own. I simply LOVE that about him! He's just a big kid...and his pumpkin is really cool!

Happy Halloween!

Bad Blogger..

I must say that I am about the worst blogger ever! I get on the internet after the kids go down, read everyone's witty blogs and then NEVER want to blog on mine. Or, I have like 20 things that I do want to blog about, but think it's dumb to have 20 blogs on the same day. Oh well. I am sure there are worse things in life:)


So, I have been tagged by Emily...fun! Here's my stuff!

A. The rules of the game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player lists 6 facts/habits about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player then tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know that they have been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1. I want to find out the gender of this little bump inside of me at next week's ultrasound.
2. I developed this nasty habit of not cleaning bathrooms very often, especially now that we have 3.
3. I am hosting Thanksgiving dinner and celebrations for my side of the family at our new house! I am all grown up:)
4. I want to put pictures and decorations up on every empty wall in our house.
5. I eat frosted Shredded Wheat only for the frosting.
6. I love it when I can hear my kids in a different room playing together peacefully and happily.

Ok, I am not listing 6 people because I don't think 6 people read my blog, but if anyone wants to, leave me a comment and I will check out your blog!

Grey Tubs and Belly Laughs

A funny story for all of you library- goers out there!

It's the night before "due date" at the library and I have asked the kids to find all library books that have made their way out of the box. I give them each 1 title to look for and sent them up stairs to look. Well, I am looking at the print-out from the library and the first item listed is "Grey Tub." I am sure that I never saw this book. I never read it. I don't remember the kids looking at it. I just can't think of where it would be if not in the box. So, I go on a hunt...under every bed, couch, loveseat, TV stand. On bookshelves and under the seats in the car. In our room? In the kitchen cabinets? I am going CRAZY!

Later that night, I say to Geo, "It's the weirdest thing! This book called "Grey Tub" with no author listed is on our library print-out, and I just can't remember anything about it or find it anywhere!" He starts chuckling and then comes the belly laugh and finally I get it! The "grey tub" is the box the books are in! You have to check it out too:)

I felt a bit silly, but mostly just laughed at myself!! Everybody needs a good Belly Laugh!

Fall...

Just a note to say that the weather actually feels like fall today. I don't even think that it hit 60! I can handle this...except, what do kids do in the winter time? I have really taken this summer for granted. Being able to just send them out has been a life (and a nap) saver! I hope we get to see some of these beautiful colors soon!

Finish These Sentences

Here's fun thing that everyone should try! I saw it first on Carrie's site and then Emily's. Have fun!


My roommate and I once: ate rabbit that our home teacher caught, killed and grilled for us in the dorm courtyard.

Never in my life have I: gone fishing (that I can remember).

High School was: depending on the year, not so bad. I really loved the year that I got to be a drum major for my marching band.

When I am nervous: I get really hot and red in the face.

My hair: has not been officially styled by me in, let's see....4.5 years!

When I was 5: I got a bad report card in Kindergarten because I talked to much to my best friend, Sarah Starr.

When I turn my head left: I see my brilliant husband writing some computer program (yes, we have 2 computers and 3 monitors, often all going at once).

I should be: organizing my home...or at least picking up the unbelievable amount of stuff in this family room.

By this time next year: Kid #4 should be 6 months old and I should be sleeping through the night again, with any luck at all!

My favorite Aunt is: wow! I don't know! They are all SOO unique!

I have a hard time understanding: 4 year olds that just don't understand or obey, even after the 50th time you have told them!!!!!!

My ideal breakfast is: one that I do not have to cook and that does not involve Marshmallow Mateys (though they do have their place, they are not ideal for me!)

If you visit my home town: visit my parents and you will see the house I grew up in.

If you spend the night at my house: wear your shoes. We seem to have a few spiders that come out at night:)

I shouldn't have been: such a pushover when it came to business deals earlier in my life...like the time I bought a set of black leather furniture that smelled like cat pee from a friend of a friend of a friend because I didn't feel like I could say no! We never even took it into our house!

Last night I: dreamt that I didn't have to teach primary because of the primary program practice. Is that true Emily? :)

I've been told I look like: Andie McDowell

Help....My House is A Mess!

We now have a ton of room and it's like I just don't want to put anything away! Well, I believe my real problem is that I am not sure where everything should go and I have a TON more house to clean! My plea that I am putting into cyberspace is for organization tips!! What works for you? My big problem areas seem to be toy clutter, kids books, paper piles, clean laundry sitting around, bathrooms not getting cleaned and a messy kitchen:) Wow, good thing not many people come to my house! And, how do you stay motivated or get into cleaning habits? How do you divide cleaning into doable amounts? I hope you all can help me...I need it!

PS I would post a picture of my house to go with this post, but I am WAY too embarrassed!

Potties, Potties, Everywhere!

It seems as though this week is the potty-training week for kids Natalie's age! We have been half-heartedly trying as Natalie trained herself to do #2 in the potty about 2 weeks ago. So Natalie picked out a bag of candy corn pumpkins for her treat if she went pee-pee in the potty. 2 days of 3 pees in the potty and then, yesterday afternoon, I realized she had been dry for 6 hours!! So exciting! So today, she wore her Little Mermaid underwear and kept it totally dry.

You know, the hardest part for me is the inconvenience of having 2 kids that aren't that great at "holding it". It seems you never hear that they have to go until they HAVE to go! Natalie probably could have been PT'd a while ago, but I would say, "Just go in your diaper!" instead of trying to take everyone and a huge cart full of groceries into the nasty public restroom, where you know she will put her hands all over everything and you will have to figure out how to hold the baby AND lift her to the sink to wash her hands with soap. Call me lazy if you will. I call it keeping some manner of sanity:)

Also, something that really gets me when kids are PT'd is the amount of toilet paper and water they use! Finally, just today, I tried to teach Natalie how to get only 4 sheets of TP instead of a little tiny thread that is 4 feet long. We'll see if that helps at all. We have already had 3 episodes of clogged toilets because of too much TP. Ah yes! What did Carrie call it? The "joys" of potty training!

Sleepy Sam

Isn't he a cutie? So tired at Grandma's house that he just fell asleep sitting there. I tried to lay him down and he got back in the same position. Funny! Love that boy!

National Dog Day

Tomorrow is National Dog Day(for those of you that may not know:) and Levi's very first turn to take snacks to school. I never thought I would be one of "those" moms, but I totally am! You know, the ones who go all out to impress a bunch of 4 year olds? Really, I just wanted Levi's snacks to be the subject of everyone's dinner conversation. Does this happen with your kid?

"Levi, what did you do today in school?"
"Well, I forgot, Mommy."
"Oh, did you have a snack today?"
"Yes! We had a chocolate cake wrapped in paper so it wouldn't get messy with M&M's on top!" and on and on and on!!

So, I got a dog cookie cutter(thanks, Linda!) and George and I made Jello Dogs. Hee, hee! It was too funny! Red and blue jello dogs! I hope they make it into the building tomorrow! All that work....

Preschool Fun!!!

So, I love having Levi in preschool. He gets to do all kinds of fun stuff and we know every single "holiday" there is! You know, like "Talk Like a Pirate Day" on September 19. Very important:) Levi came home with a hat and an eye patch and we found a hook to go with it. We heard a lot of "Arrrrrr, Matey"'s that day and it was Grandpa Lyon's birthday so he got an "Arrrr, Grandpa! Happy Birthday, Matey!"

Preschool is a new chapter in our lives that we ALL seem to be enjoying!

Future Boilermaker?

Just one more quick note this morning. This is posted for all of you Boilermakers out there. I got Sammy dressed this morning and George said, "Oh, Dad (Harry) will love your choice of colors for Sam today. Purdue colors!" Well, you know I didn't do it on purpose...I graduated from IU:) But to all you Purdue fans..."GO BOILERMAKERS!"

The New House

I thought I would post some pics of the new house...at least the inside. I forgot to take a picture of the outside:) There's a picture of the front living room, kitchen, and family room. And I also took one of the trampoline outside. That came with the house and has been THE GREATEST thing for Levi and Natalie.

There are 4 bedrooms upstairs and 2.5 bathrooms. Yippee! There is a room on the main floor that could be used a bedroom...it's our storage room. We are getting settled fairly quickly, thanks to my friend Becca. I don't know about anyone else, but pregnancy makes my brain foggy and I could not unpack or organize. So Becca did it. She told me where to put stuff and I obeyed! It was sooo helpful.. Guaranteed we would still be sitting here amidst a huge pile of boxes if she hadn't been around.

Everything seems to have a place now. The dining room has a few boxes and pictures that haven't been hung and the garage is still full of garage sale stuff...the truck is coming today to haul it all away! Then we can organize that and life will be good:) It's already good, really! This is a good place for us and we are thrilled! It's finally Home!

Baby news!!!!!!!

Well, here's the big news that it seems a lot of people already know. Word gets around you know! :) We are 11 weeks pregnant...due March 26th. Yes, I know Sam is only 8.5 months old. Yes, I know that puts them only 15 months apart. Yes, I know that I am crazy! :) Isn't it great! The OB just said, "Well, you keep saying you want to have a big family!" Unfortunately, I am starting this pregnancy with all the weight still on from Sam. That's a bummer, but other than that, we are really excited. The ultrasound tech guessed its a girl and she said she hopes to do my 20 week ultrasound to find out if she is right. That was my assumption as well, this pregnancy seems similar to Natalie's. George just laughed when I said that to him. I am sure because I can't remember a thing from her pregnancy and babyhood. Poor kid!

The latest baby question posed from Levi is "Do you get to decide how many babies you want or does Heavenly Father?" What a kid! He's just such a thinker!

Funny story on the topic of Levi and babies. My mom has Levi and Natalie at her house for an overnighter. Natalie is bathing and Levi wants to come in. Mom figures its the perfect time to explain about things that are private and begins to and Levi says, "Wait just a second, Grandma! If this is about babies and where they come from, I already know everything!" Mom, of course, asks him what he knows and he replies, " Daddy plants a seed in Mommy and it grows into a baby!" with that "Isn't it obvious" tone. Can you believe it...he's only 4!!! I am just glad that my simple answers satisfy his curiousity!

So the countdown begins...only 29 weeks to go:) That doesn't seem like very long to me! Sammy better learn how to walk, quick! Maybe we should start with crawling....:) Good times, good times!

We're back.....

We have finally emerged from our cyberspace black hole, as Uncle Dewey called it:) Ahh, to have a phone and internet again. I NEVER could have been a pioneer!! :)

I thought I would start by blogging about our Colorado trip and work my way up. We drove out to CO with our 3 kids under 4 and it was a blast! Everyone should have this kind of experience with little kids...it only takes a month to recover:)

These are some pictures of the kids gearing up for the 3 day drive and lots of pics of the view. It was absolutely gorgeous the whole time we were there. We stayed in this huge cabin (not that big with 30 or so people in it) that overlooked Breckinridge, CO. We went up a ski lift to the top of a mountain and Levi could have hiked over it and down the other side. I could not believe it...that kid had an infinite amount of energy, he got so mad we wouldn't let him hike to the tip top...unlike Natalie who got tired and had to be carried back down the mountain. Geo and Levi rode down the side of the mountain on a sled with wheels! It was quite the trip. I will post a few more pics and tell some stories later! Spent too much time reading blogs tonight. Gotta head to bed!

Moving...

So, don't look for anything for me for a while. We are moving into our new house tomorrow and won't have internet access for 3 weeks!!! Silly Verizon..they really wanted 2 weeks notice...c'mon! When we get established back online, I will be sure to post all kinds of pics of our new place. I just can't wait!!!! See you in 3 weeks!

Birth Order

In honor of my friends with brand-new babies:


THE BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

Your Clothes:
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.
_____________________________________________________
Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.
______________________________________________________
The Layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?
______________________________________________________
Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper, a frown-you pick up the baby.
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.
______________________________________________________

Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.
________________________________ ______________________
Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour,whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.
______________________________________________________
Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.
______________________________________________________
Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.
______________________________________________________
At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.
______________________________________________________
Swallowing Coins (a favorite):
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for the coin to pass.

3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!

Emily's Little Will

Well, now that my friend Emily has updated her blog, I can post my picture of baby Will ( I didn't want to be the leak!). It is the experience of a lifetime to be present at the birth of someone else's baby...totally different than being there for your own! I got the call at 3:03am that her contractions were pretty strong and 3 minutes apart. I went to her house and helped her labor there. It was so cool...she was so calm and relaxed. After we got to hospital, it was only about 2 hours until Will made his arrival! Lots of dark hair, almost 9 pounds and super long toes! What a cutie! He looked a bit like Maddie. What an honor to be part of that miracle! Thanks, Emily! Good luck to you and your little family!

Play Geo's Mastermind Game

So, my husband is the coolest! He can make just about any game on the computer and his latest is a version of Mastermind. I had never heard of it, but picked up an electronic, handheld one at a garage sale for 25 cents (Happy Father's Day, Geo!) That motivated him to write the game. Be careful, it can be addictive! But it's a great way to pass the time and I am sure that it protects your brain from Alzheimer's or something like that. Here it is! Have fun, but don't neglect any children in the process:)

Solids

Well, the time has come and Sam is eating us out of house and home. This kid is unbelievable! I love reading all the material that says start with 1-2 tablespoons of solid food. We jumped right to 2 jars of the 2nd foods. Anyway, he loves it! And so do the other kids. Today, I got Sam's carrots and oatmeal all ready and then had to leave the table to find the tub plug for my husband. I came back and this is what I saw. I started laughing and had to run and get the camera. Natalie will be the perfect Mommy someday!

Krispy Kreme

I have a 4 year old son that enjoys food as much as I do. He is always talking about the next treat that may be coming or his favorite thing to say at any given time during the day, "If we eat all our dinner, then we'll have a tree-eat!" He has become really good at recognizing restaurant signs. I should have seen this coming...when he was 15 months old, he would point to the golden arches and say "fry-fry". The other day we're driving and he says, "That gas station is a Krispy Kreme store!" Well, I know that Levi can't read, so I turn to look and sure enough, I turn to find this tiny little Krispy Kreme sign. And again driving by Bob Evans, Levi says "That's where I get my free birthday meal". Yes, I do believe we have a "restaurant logo savant" on our hands! He cracks me up!

Four Things About Me

Taking advantage of naptime, I thought this would be a fun thing to post. My friend Kathrine sent it to me, and I learned lots of fun things about her! I added a few more...

Four Things You May Not Know About Me

Four Jobs I Have Had in My Life:
1. Cashier
2. Guitar Teacher
3. Cheese Cutter
4. Music Therapist

Four movies I have watched over and over:
1. The Two Towers (2nd movie from THe Lord of the Rings trilogy)
2. Pride and Predjudice (the A&E version)
3. What's Up Doc? (with Barbara Streisand)
4. Here Come the ABC's (from They Might Be Giants..if you have kids, you need this DVD)

Four Places I have lived:
1. Muncie, IN
2. Salt Lake City, UT
3. North Edwards, CA (What? You have never heard of it? There are at least 400 that live there!)
4. Rexburg, ID

TV shows I love to watch: (only 4!?!)
1. American Idol
2. Lost
3. Ghost Whisperer
4. Ugly Betty

Four places I have been on vacation:
1. Wisconsin
2. San Diego
3. Oregon
4. Florida

Four things I enjoy in my spare time:
1. Reading magazines
2. Listening to music while stamping cards
3. Reading people's blogs:)
4. Getting my hair cut (I don't know if this really counts, but I love it!)

Four foods that I love:
1. Cold Stone Ice Cream
2. BBQ Ribs
3. Double Tacos
4. Chocolate Chip Cookies (Carrie's are still the best ever!)

Four goals that I have:
1. Have 5 kids (is that really a goal:)
2. Not to yell or raise my voice at those 5 kids
3. Send a birthday card to everyone I know on time for their birthdays
4. Scrapbook all the pictures I have

New Stampin' Up! Catalog

Just a note to say, "Yea!" the new catalog is coming out on July 1st. I got my stack of them today! New stamps....woo-hoo!

Toddler Time

Nat and Levi playing with play-doh. Natalie ate most of hers.


With a 2 and 4 year old, we have our share of arguements. I find that if I keep them busy, we are all so much happier. What kinds of activities do you do to keep your kids playing nicely together? I need more ideas!!!
My latest idea was to make "peanut butter play-doh". It was a lot of fun and pretty tasty too! The kids had a blast!

This is Levi's "rocket ship". Can't you see where the fire comes out? And that's the "seat" for the man on the top.