Tuesday, April 13, 2010

3

Maggie had her birthday while we were in Pocatello, but I thought it deserved a post all it's own.

Boy howdy, this frosting was good!! Grandma's special recipe ;)

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She really got in to opening her presents this year!

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She got a couple of dresses...

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Some dress up shoes...

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Grace picked out this outfit for her :)

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Naomi enjoyed the cake!

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Here's the birthday girl in the dress that grandma made for her. The new dress up slippers are the perfect finishing touch, don't you think? (I l.o.v.e. the bruised up legs, she is so tough!!)

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We also got to go to McDonalds for lunch and Maggie made sure everyone knew that she was the birthday girl!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Spring(?) Break

Spring break is a bit of a new phenomenon for us. I mean, we had it last year but Grace was just in kindergarten and is that really school? Not so much. So this year Grace is in school all day and Elliot is in preschool 4 days a week so spring break took on a bit more significance. We decided to make the trek to Pocatello to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the week. We had a great time! I drove down there alone the Saturday after school got out (I didn't forget my dog this time). It was a long drive, which involved some throwing up somewhere in Northern Idaho, but we made it safe and sound! Ray flew down to Boise on Wednesday night and rode the trusty Salt Lake Express shuttle to Poky.

Can I just say that after a few days without dad I am soooooo ready for some backup. I don't realize how much Ray does to help until I am without him for a few days. I mean, mom and dad are totally willing to help, and they totally do, but I feel bad thrusting the chaos of 4 young kids so completely on them, know what I mean? Wow, I am a lucky girl to have such an awesome husband!!

Anyway, I know that it is supposed to be spring and all, but that news hasn't exactly caught up to southeastern Idaho. It was seriously FRIGID there. We're talkin' a full on snow storm one night. And the wind. Oh.my.gosh. I always forget about the Pocatello wind. So, we didn't get our spring weather (or maybe we did, spring in Poky is pretty much always like that) but we had a great time!

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Are you talkin' to me? Meet my daughter the mobster! This was the night before we left, but how hilarious is this baby Capone!

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The kids all got new swimsuits at Costco, they were dying to model them for all to see. And then Maggie promptly ran outside in the frigid weather and started jumping on the trampoline in her swimsuit. Yep, I get the mother of the year award.

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We colored eggs...

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And here is some random shot of Elliot because I didn't get any pictures of him coloring eggs (mother of the year, remember?).

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We ate chicken nuggets with apples (several times).

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And here is some random picture of Naomi because I didn't take hardly any of her either, mostly because we planned all the fun stuff when she was asleep. It's just easier that way. Don't judge.

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Awwww! Ray took this one. Naomi loves Max so much. She is always lounging on him. He loves it. Poor doggie will take all the attention he can get! I really do love him so much.


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Grace and Maggie loved snuggling in this faux snuggie (yes there is such a thing).

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And of course we had Easter! What says "Easter" better than shoving a whole batch of peeps in your mouth? Not much.

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Yes, it really was that dark when the kids got up.

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All Naomi really cared about was the chocolate. Like mother, like daughter!

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The Easter bunny came up with some really creative places to hide the eggs...

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(my mom has year round nativities, I love it.)

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The kids also got to go to an Easter egg hunt at the church on Saturday. I don't have pictures because I wasn't there. Grandma and Grandpa took them to that one! The had a good time and learned about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (not that I don't teach them about it, but you know what I mean, it's the true meaning of Easter and I'm grateful for anyone who will talk to my kids about it!).

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Ray was there to drive home with us, thank goodness. This peaceful bliss of 4 sleeping babes lasted about 10 minutes. But it was a nice 10 minutes!

And that about wraps up the week. We had such a good time but it is always good to get home. I'm sure the sister missionaries who live in my parents basement weren't too sad to see us leave ;) But they were really good sports! I did a few projects myself while I was there, pictures to come as soon as I can finish!

Friday, April 9, 2010

Sometimes It's Hard to be Small...

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Like when you are learning to walk. You are so excited to see your older brother, so you run down the sidewalk to him...and fall flat on your face, your nose breaking the fall :( Don't worry, you still look adorable!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

3 Years (and 6 days) Ago

Our sweet little Maggie Rae was born.
(I'm a terrible mom who didn't post this on her actual birthday)

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Our little Oakie, proof that we did actually live in the Sooner State.
She was actually due on April fools day, but we didn't want to do that to her, so we had her the next day.
It's nice to live in a day and age when you can actually choose those things...
For the first time it was just Ray and I in the delivery room to welcome our girl. It was so special. For the first time I got to spend some one on one time alone with my baby in the hospital while dad was at home caring for the other kids. I loved that so much. I loved getting to know my baby a little more.

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She was such a sweet baby. She ate well, she slept well, she was snugly and precious.

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She was always happy and loved making people smile and laugh, she still does :)

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Happy Birthday Maggie!
We love you sweet girl!
(even if you are seriously giving us a run for our money with all the drama lately!!)

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

9 Years Ago Today

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Ray was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Monday, April 5, 2010

We're Baaaack!

I have been absent (sort of) from the internet world for a week. I only briefly checked in to cyber space every other day or so, it was kind of nice. We were in Pocatello for spring break and had such a great time! But it wouldn't be a trip to Pocatello without someone puking in the back of the van on the twisty interstate of Northern Idaho...I got smart this time and equipped my kids with cups ahead of time ;) I have lots of pictures to post soon!

Friday, March 26, 2010

It's Official...

Well I know that it is "officially" spring as of Saturday, but now that the weather is agreeing it is officialy spring (except it is pretty darn cold right now, but lets pretend it is Saturday all over again).

We took a family hike on Saturday. The first of many, I'm hoping. The weather was glorious, the place we live is so flippin' awesome-we have a huge forest right in the middle of town. No driving for hours to get to nature for us!

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Be jealous...

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Why is Grace wearing a coat? Who knows, it didn't last long.

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Can't you see it in her eyes? She is one happy girl.

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Grace is bossing the kids around, she has a gift. She is only egged on by how well they listen. She was explaining to them how they all needed to find a walking stick.


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This is Elliot's favorite shirt. He made it at school and wants to wear it every day :)


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When they saw this cabin at the park at the bottom of the trail they yelled, "It's grandma's cabin!!". How cute that they thought it only takes and hour to hike to grandma's cabin. It's grandpa's cabin too, by the way :)
Yes, my kids all look like orphans (albeit well-fed orphans), but who cares? It's Saturday and it's SPRING!