Can't eat, can't sleep, must blog.

I can hardly believe I have been blogging for a year now!! What did we do with ourselves before we blogged away? I have been thinking about this whole blog culture lately and here are some random thoughts that have crossed my mind...

1. Should I have my blog go private in case anyone crazy reads my blog and tracks me down, and already knows all my kids names...

2. Am I totally flattering myself to think someone "crazy" would actually spend time reading this blog??

3. If I go private will I miss chances to catch up with some old friends?

4. Love that I have caught up with some old friends through blogging.

5. When are other friends/family members going to start a blog so I can catch up on their lives and family?

6. Please, no one else start a blog, I. CAN'T. KEEP. UP. =)

7. How does only five more minutes, turn into 5 blog jumps and 30 minutes?

8. Does anyone else's back hurt from blogging?

9. I must have improved my typing skills from all the comments I have left.

10. Do I need to give myself a blogging time allowance, like I give my kids video game time allowance?

11. Can I fit one more person into my links?

12. Have I left someone off my links?

13. Have I hurt someones feelings by accidentally leaving them off my links.

14. Does anyone else think, "I've got to blog this", mid sentence, mid party, mid thought, etc.

15. If I see one more word verification...

16. I love this whole blog thing.

17. I hate this whole blog thing.

18. Better update my blog.

19. Better read blogs.

20. Bloggity, blog, blog, blog.

Here's to another year...

Blog vacation.

So, I took a little blog vacation and it was nice. But, like all vacations it is good to be back! We have been busy celebrating. Our girls both had their birthday's. I love them both so much and like every parent says at birthday time, "I can't believe they are getting so big." I have to admit I am loving my kids getting older. Kaela and I have enjoyed rocking out to her High School Musical Wii game (sorry neighbors), going to dance comp's, eating out together, enjoying the same play list on the ipod, painting our nails and more. She is so fun, genuinely sweet and cute. Karissa is getting there. She seriously says the cutest, sweetest things ever lately (mixed in with a little spice as well). We have enjoyed our Chick-fil-A lunches and spending time together while the other kids are at school. And, not to be repetitive but I can't believe they are getting so big!





I hope you all had a great Mother's Day. I woke up at 6:45 AM with the baby. I have been so longing for a good sleep in lately...but, I really just enjoyed her that morning. Everyone knows babies cutest time is usually right when they wake up and she was true to form. Amidst all the craziness of life with four kids, I felt so completely grateful for this little blessing in my life right now. Not to mention the three others that were still sleeping. I honestly am so thankful for that moment, you need those as a Mom. I also am so blessed to have so many wonderful women in my life from my own angel Mom and Mom-in-law, to sisters and wonderful friends. What would this world be without us, GO GIRLS.

Some things are priceless

I love the quote "the best things in life are free." This weekend I experienced how kindness and love between siblings makes that statement so true (for parents at least). We had a family party to celebrate Karissa turning four yesterday. Kaela got out her jewelry kit...I thought to make herself something. But, she was actually making this for Karissa:

It made my day. The best things really are free.

This girl loves to eat!

My first three children just loved milk, milk, and more milk. Did I mention they loved milk? They were really never interested in baby food at ALL. Enter child number 4. She loves food! We can't give her enough. She gets her arms up and starts dancing when I get the rice cereal box out. Her new favorite, avocado's and cheerios. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that she is our first child below the 70 percentile on weight? Maybe she gets it from her Mom.=) Whatever it is, it's cute!

Happy 32nd Richard

I can hardly believe we are getting this old =). I was reading the Dear Abby column a couple of weeks ago, and ran across this comment from Abby, which pretty much sums up how I feel about you:

"While diamonds may be "a girls best friend," most women know that a life partner who gives them attention, affection, praise and assistance when they need it is a jewel more precious than any stone could ever be."

Amen. Thanks for all you do for me Richard. Can't imagine life without you, and here's to many more years together.

Life goes on...

We just got back from our annual St. George trip, where Kaela has a dance competition yearly. We were SO excited to go, a little too excited and on Saturday morning when I got up at 6 AM to get Kaela ready, we realized we forgot the garment bag with her costumes! I could hardly believe it, let alone that I hadn't even realized it until that morning. A private jet would have seriously come in handy!

Kaela was such a good sport about it only commenting "all that hard work for nothing!" We went and cheered on her team, and her teacher was so forgiving. I was so frustrated there but realized that life goes on (I am hoping someone leaves me a comment saying they have done the same thing)!

All things considered we had a wonderful time. Some highlights:

*Dinner at Pasta Factory, although Richard and I had a beam between us!



*Swimmiming, swimming and more swimming in 80 degree weather!




*Hike in Snow Canyon, totally breathtaking and beautiful!


*Richard's DI church clothes (the garment bag had his clothes in it too)


*Spending time with all my family

I really love vacations, even when they are only 3 days!

Family Home Funnies

Some of my best laughs of the week come from my kids responses to some of the lesson's taught during FHE. The topic this past week was stranger danger. We went through the whole list of dos and dont's with the kids. They seemed to do very well with most the answers, minus Karissa failing the candy from a stranger test.

Then when I was trying to explain that an adult would never need a kids help doing things they can do (I meant like finding a lost pet or person), Sam perked up with, "Then why do you and Dad always make us clean out the dishwasher." Doesn't sound that funny now but it cracked me up then. Check out Richard dressed up as 'a stranger' to help the kids practice their skills.