Christmas Eve Party

Christmas eve is spent with the Petersen's.  While this was a magical Christmas eve, as it was filled with falling snow most of the day, we were lucky enough to host the Christmas eve party.  As you can see not many of the Petersen's take anything seriously!  I was so excited to host.  We had a fabulous dinner with Chicken cordon bleu, scalloped potatoes, homemade rolls steamed veggies, Christmas candy and a dessert bar filled with delicious desserts! YUMMY!

Most of all it was filled with family which is most important.  What is more important at Christmas time than spending time with family enjoying each others company and sharing in the spirit of the season.  I am so glad we keep this tradition alive.

They do love eachother.....

so every now and then (especially when they have been off track for a while), I wonder to myself...where did I go wrong.  I mean I love my boys, my family and I think I show them respect.  Where did they learn and why do they constantly fight?!  Then it is times like these when I peek in on them making sure they are going to bed that I find them reading to each other.  How sweet!  All of my guys LOVE Star Wars and honestly, I don't know if this was more for Jaxon or Zeke.  I really don't think it matters.  Zeke picked this book out at the library that has alternate endings called 'choose your destiny'.  Somehow for certain boys that just has a ring that sounds glorious to them I'm sure.  'Choose your destiny' I mean come on, who doesn't want to choose their own destiny right?  Well when Jaxon was younger he found these books and read and re-read them hundreds possibly thousands of times.  They are a bit under his level now and when Zeke picked it up and brought it home I think that gave Jaxon free game to read it again!  So tonight Jaxon lovingly said hey bud I will read that star wars book to you tonight!  OK! Said Zeke!  they jumped in bed together and away they went.  Its nights like these that I honestly don't care how long they stayed up!  Yes, Remember today and I pray that there are many more of these to come or to simply remember! 

4 Wheeling Fun

Wheeling in the snow....How fun!  I have never been before and I will definitely go again!  Oh the boys love it and it is just a great time!  We end up lasting about 2 hours and its about a 15 min drive out to Baccus Highway!  It is a perfect spot too!  There are jumps, whoops, and burms all over!  I totally jumped and got air!  OH I THINK I'M HOOKED!  Jaxon is working on shifting properly and Kaden is just out for a ride.  He is so funny.  Kaden likes to make sure and check in at the truck every 10 minutes or so.  Just a quick drive by to let us know he is doing great and having fun!  He is such a sweet guy!  Jaxon takes it serious and just thinks he is all that.  Zeke drove the Predator for the first time this time by himself! It was awesome.  He did great. He figured it all out on his own.  Gregg gave him a little instruction and off he went.  I was a little nervous a few times he came flying by the truck but he did awesome!  He is such a little stud!  Ella! What can I say, she asks to be the first one out almost every time! A quick little run with Dad and she is good to go!  I do have to say she did not LOVE the snow falling.  But she certainly loves the rides!

Merry Christmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a 

Happy New Year!

We just love our shouty and pouty faced boys!!!
Jaxon (12), Kaden (9), Zeke (5) and Ella (2)
Gregg (too old), Carrie (man she looks too young to have all those children....come on! :) )

A Visit with Santa

A visit with the big man!

This year my sister turned me on to 'The shops @ Riverwoods' in Provo....Now I know Provo...?! What the crap?  Yes, we ventured into cougarville for this special trip! :) We are glad we did.  It was like hitting 4 birds with one stone!  We saw Santa, we saw lights, we saw Adorable Gingerbread houses, and we got a Carriage ride!  It was great.  We had a lot of fun. Seeing how it was outside it was great verses the indoor Mall Santas.  And since my dearly loved Santa @ the South Towne Mall has gone MIA (I really hope he didn't pass away) my love for the mall Santa's has been shaken, this one has turned into quite a great substitute.  AND since our outings seem to revolve around food for my guys it didn't hurt that there was a Kneaders right in the same parking lot!  WOOT!  what fun! It was such a great way to start our December/Christmas outings!  There was even a fresh dusting of snow to set the mood.....OH I just love this time of year!  Oh ya, Kaden will totally be on board next year as I am almost certain he feels as though he hit the mother load with all of the above mentioned (especially Kneaders--he is such a pig)  PLUS  he found a $5 bill on the ground!  What luck!  I almost made him buy everyone treats at Kneaders! :)  I just don't know what it is about this time of the year.  I am almost certain it is the fond memories from my childhood I love to try to give to my children.  Oh the magic and wonder, the happy family time, the warmth of a yummy cup of cocoa and the beautiful snow we get!  Ah! Just perfect. 

Turkey Shoot 2012

What started out as sharing a tradition from the Nordfelts friends in Idaho has become quite a tradition with us here in Utah.  It was probably 9 years ago that it started.  We visited my sister for an unforgettable Thanksgiving in Idaho.  Their friends had a tradition of shooting off rockets on Thanksgiving morning.  It was such a cold cold day in Idaho.  The fog was so thick you could hardly even see the rockets go off.  But that was part of the fun.  They would disappear then reappear out of the fog.  The children would run like crazy to catch the rockets so they could safely return to earth! :)  Also to get bragging rights as to how many they could catch!

We have kept this tradition ever since.  We usually buy the pre-built ready to fly rockets.  This year Kaden and Jaxon wanted to try to build their own. Kaden succeeded. Jaxon, well when he opened his and found that he had to do all of the little pieces....well he gave up!  Little fart!  Kaden and Mace assembled theirs and flew it today!  It went and returned safely all in one piece!  How fun for them to know they were able to build it themselves.

We are so happy that Rappleyes and this year Nordfelts and Petersens came also.  It was cold as usual but still fun!

Called to Serve

WOW! After the big announcement President Monson made in General Conference this last session:

"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately, all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18, instead of age 19. . . ."

Many people have been buzzing about whether they will now submit their papers and proceed with a mission that may have otherwise been on the back burner and potentially not gone through with.  This however, was never the intention to leave it on the back burner for Tyson!

He is such a great kid! This 18 year old man has saved every penny for his mission and has been waiting anxiously for the time when he can turn in his papers.  The time was now and he did it!!! What an accomplishment, what a great kid and how stinkin exciting for me and my family to experience.  His adoptive mom and dad have been so kind an gracious to let me and my family be a part of his.  It has been a great experience.  I am so thankful they have allowed us to play a small part in his life.  Thank you so much for letting us be a part.  Thank you so much for being such a great example of a wonderful man!  He is growing into such a great man also.  HOLY MOLEY!  this kid is tall.  Yes. He. Is.  He is now at least 6'3", and handsome as they come!

He got his call on Wednesday November 14, 2012.  He will be serving his mission in the Argentina, Neuquen mission.  His oldest brother also served a mission in Argentina.  After looking into the climate and temperatures etc.  It seems as though it is very much like the climate of Utah.  However, the seasons will be opposite!  How weird to have snow in July? :)

Congratulations Tyson, we are so happy for you as you move on to the next BIG phase of your life!

RoCk On

Rock On is all I can say here!  Seriously.  One night I came down from putting Ella and Zeke Down and found this.  My men jammin out!  Not just Jammin out!  Bearin it all!  WHAT?  Seriously this kid doesn't mind walking around like this all the time.  NOPE.  In fact, one night after football this year, I found him eating at the dinner table BUTT NAKED!  Well....I have no words!

Ella's 2nd Birthday

OH MY GOODNESS!!!
She has been 2 for just a little over a month now and oh my word! Am I sad? Am I happy? or both?  My baby is growing right before my eyes.  I. MUST. REMEMBER. EVERY. MINUTE.  My boys are older and the time flew.  As I was happy to see them get bigger and bigger....not realizing what that fully meant.  She must stay small for some time!  I need her to stay small.  Despite the fact she is EXTREMELY INDEPENDENT and insists on doing things on her own, I need to remember this.

I try my hardest to listen and heed to the advise of those who have been here and done this!  The majority of what I hear is I wish I had done this I wish I had done that.  I miss this, I miss that.  While they all differ the majority of what I am told is to enjoy the time now and try not to worry about the little things.  The majority of people tell me they wish they had just spent more time with them, and actually enjoyed the time.  I try my hardest.  With life going non-stop I try.  I try to listen and enjoy the hours and minutes spent with my two little ones still at home, because before I know it they will be grown and WON'T want to spend that time with me as much.

OK I know this is sappy...BUT seriously these little guys mean so much to me! I love how Ella insists on having her 'own' Lysol wipe when I wipe the table.  I love how she insists on putting on her own 'sox'.  She says 'me, me, me' when she insists on opening a container.  She insists on trying to put on her own shoes.  I hope this means she WILL be independent.  I want her to be confident and try all she can.  I want her to know who she is and not let anyone tell her she is not as wonderful as she is.  I absolutely LOVE how she loves 'Fancy Nancy books'.  They are just the cutest darn books I have read.  I love to read how fancy the world is to a 5 year old (is that how old she is??).  I hope in a small way Ella wants to be as fancy and that she will view the world in such a positive and 'Glorious' way. I firmly believe you can conquer so much with a positive attitude.  I love how Ella reaches up when I am reading to her and grabs my head and pulls it closer to her.  I love how she loves to rock in the chair I have rocked her in since she was born and read her stories.  When I'm not around I love how she knows how to turn on her primary music grab a book and climb into that rocking chair and read a story by herself.  I love how she loves Strawberry Shortcake.  I love how she bosses those brothers around and how they do what she asks.....most of the time.

I love it.  I am happy to see her grow but want to remember all I can.  Man, I love this little girl.

Ella and the BOBBI

Seriously I don't know what I am going to do with this girl!  I don't know if its because she is my girl or because she is my baby...maybe both. I don't know if I am ever going to get the Bob (as she has so lovingly named the binki) away from this girl.  Now she has discovered if she finds another one she gets twice the pleasure!  What a little fart! But seriously how cute!  She only has it at nap and bedtime and honestly maybe I am just too lazy.  I am afraid she will not nap with out her bob and I NEED THOSE NAPS as much or more than her!  So I guess this is what it means when the baby gets spoiled....OH DEAR!

whooo goes there???

Opening my blinds this morning I looked out the window and found this!!! How cool is that? Seriously this cute little guy stayed at our house for the whole day. I kept checking in on him to make sure he was still there.

He stayed all day and was gone in the morning. Perhaps he was just taking a rest and found my uh-hem 'not so quiet' little home a good spot for him.  (sigh)  Seriously, my sister just gave me some decorative bird houses cages that I wanted to keep him with!  I know, ridiculous right?  But yes, that is me.  I would have a farm if I could! :)  Still I feel lucky while it lasted.

Playing in the Leaves

Sometimes it takes FORCING the children outdoors for enjoyment!  Seriously, when I was this age I lived for the times we could play in the leaves.  Today I FORCED Zeke outside.  Away from the video games, TV and movies.  He grabbed a couple of friends and were jumping on the trampoline.  I watched them from the house and thought I am going to go enjoy the last bit of fall I can before it gets too cold to enjoy.  Then me being my busy body self thought hhhmmmm need to rake the leaves. AH! what fun.  So we played in the leaves.  Pure joy on these boys faces! Pure joy. 

Halloween

Clone Troopers and Bandits and shortcakes and Leprechauns oh my!! :)

Sadly this year Jaxon AND Kaden were NOT going to dress up for Halloween.  It seriously made me so sad as at 12 and 9 I still think they should feel as though they can go trick or treating and be kids.  BUT Jaxon felt as though he shouldn't dress up nor go trick or treating (not much of a candy fan anyway).  Kaden still bummed out by his 4th Grade teacher -- whom in the past has NOT done any parties thought it would be stupid to dress up when they weren't even going to have a party.  SO on that note we. were. not. prepared!! So the weekend before Halloween Kaden found out his teacher decided to have a party SO it was ok to dress up.  We snatched up this little candy bandit get-up in a few quick minutes! whew what a life saver!  Jaxon was Still not having anything to do with dressing up (only for his friends party the weekend before--which he ended up being a bandit too).
Zeke on the other hand!! OH MY! how do I say no to this little fart?  He spies this storm trooper costume at Target and FELL. IN. LOVE!!!  I hear Gregg in my ear saying I always wanted to be a storm trooper and my Mom wouldn't let me get the costume.  SO! Me being a sucker for Halloween forked over the $40 bucks (WAY Overpriced for the quality) for the happiness of my little trooper (whom in the past has run around all day saying things to me like..."mom I wish I were a storm trooper", "why Zeke?" "So I could save you from the bad guys AND have a gun!")
Ella!!! Oh my heart melts! she loves Strawberry Shortcake!! YES.SHE.DOES! So I whipped up this little puppy from pinterest! what a breeze! (Only thanks to my awesome Mom) She looked darling and when she found out if you keep your hat on and go to the door they will give you candy....she was more than willing to keep that hat on! :) My little chocolate lover!
Jaxon....well the night before he decided he wanted to wear the University of Utah Santa hat to school the day of Halloween.  That morning he changed his mind....SO off to the hat box to pull out the little beauty of the Leprechaun hat! How silly! whatever.  I pinned on him a couple of shamrocks he wore a green shirt and called it good....OH BOY!  with an October birthday I thought for sure he would love Halloween like me.  NOPE! Not even a little.  OH WELL.  Ya win some ya loose some!

TwEeeeeENnnSSs

Jaxon my 12 year old!
Holy Moly! He is 12.  Some days, weeks, months, years I didn't know if he would make it to the next morning! But he is here.  AND HAVE THE TWEENS HIT US! :)

Really He is a Great Kid.  For the most part. Except when I want to go have his picture taken.  No he is not the happiest.  And lets me know it! :)  That is ok.  Because for the most part this kid is seriously such a good kid I. Just. Love. Him.

He is so sensitive to others feelings.  He has a great heart.  He is super smart!  He is so proud he scored the highest on his most recent science test in 6th grade (definitely takes after his Dad!).  He is reading on a level Z (I guess that is really high.  I mean there is no other letters right?) and is really proud of that.  He has been trying his hardest to keep his grades up during football this year and I think (hopefully) he has succeeded.  He started school off on a great foot and really likes his teacher Ms. Korones.  He plays the position he loves the most in Football (defensive end) and LOVES. IT. (did I mention that his team is undefeated in his division going into playoffs!) He ROCKS at the guitar...literally and can play a new song just by watching someone play it (did I say he takes after his Dad).  He will crack a smile (for a minute) for his mom even though he is in a terrible mood and wants to sit on his bed and play on his ipod.

I love you Jaxon.  I am so glad you are my biggest boy! You are turning into quite a young man. I love you! 

DAD is GREAT he give Us ChoColAtE CakE!!!

Bill Cosby: Dad is Great He Gives us Chocolate Cake...uh uh, Dad is Great he gives us chocolate cake... uh, uh

Yes, We love Bill Cosby and every time I look at these pictures I sing the song in my head!  Ella thoroughly enjoyed chocolate cake today with her Dadd-yo.  She is so cute and has her Dad's passion for chocolate! mmmmmm!

I had a HUGE craving for Costco Chocolate cake....TO. DIE. FOR.  Of course I shared!   

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 2012-2013!!

Oh my goodness! I was so ready and excited this year! Jaxon started 6th Grade with Ms. Korones, Kaden started 4th Grade with Ms. Handy, and Zeke started Kindergarten with Mrs. Asay!  

As you can tell Jaxon is just more than thrilled at the thoughts of going back to school.  Funny though because all he does is sit home and facetime, email, text his friends or play video games!  He needs it [not to mention Mom needs it too]

Kaden is less than thrilled at the thought of a whole year with the same teacher his older brother struggled with.  He is so spunky and has such a great attitude I know he will make it. 

Zeke is excited and super quiet about the whole thing.  He is my thinker and is waiting to see how it goes before he will say much.

Now that we are into the 2nd month of school here is the status update:

Jaxon: likes school [surprisingly].  Still loves to read and reads like a worm! I can not keep enough books in the house for this guy.  He finished the whole Harry Potter series in seriously  a month.  And that is only because I didn't pick up the other books fast enough for him.  He re-read the ones we had while he was waiting for me to get the others! He has decided school is okay and started school with a great attitude.  He likes his teacher so far and is doing really well in his class!

 Kaden: is very Leary!  This makes me super sad as he is my guy who just goes with the flow.  He has started the year by getting in the truck at the end of school in tears because he is having a hard time adjusting to his teacher.  I know he will make it through.  He is a good kid and will survive a year with a less than 'happy camper' as a teacher!

Zeke: [in case you didn't know that is his favorite color...ok he is a boy....deal with it! :)] HE LOVES KINDERGARTEN!! My heart sings! I LOVE HIS TEACHER.  Kaden had her as well and just loved her.  She is so darling and great with the kindergarteners.  Zeke thinks it is totally cool that his teacher is a grandma!  I can see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to figure that out! :) love that kid.  He just comes home and sings his songs and is just a happy camper.  The only problem is he needs a full day!  He is so bored at home by the time we pick up his brothers he has tormented his sister to the point she is so grouchy no one wants to be around her!!!

I love when they go back, I love when the are off track.  I feel like it is the best of both worlds! I don't know what traditional is like as my children have always been on year round but I like it.  I love the breaks they get then I love it when they go back!  I think I will miss having Jaxon home next year when he goes to traditional in middle school.  I can't wait to see how he adjusts to that schedule.  

What a funny girl....what am I in for?

Today while I was cleaning I found my little mischievous Ella doing something rather funny. Funny?  I don't know.  Funny or naughty.

First, yesterday for Conference I have found for my boys to actually listen to conference we would put out a tray of 5 bowls of candy.  Everyone gets to pick one word for their bowl of candy.  When that word is said during conference by any member or speaker speaking they along with anyone else who heard it gets to choose said candy.  Very clever [thanks pinterest].  Yesterday was a hit!  candy a-go-go! YES!  the boys listened and it was fun.  So instead of eating it all, they were smart and saved the candy in a Ziploc bag for later. 

Ella is pretty smart.  She, like her Dad LOVES chocolate.  Well there was plenty of chocolate saved in those bags.

Back to the story.  Today while cleaning I found it a bit too quiet in the house.  I found her in the 'man cave' with above mentioned candy bag.  She had only gotten away with one peanut butter cup by the time I found her.  I said Ella that is not yours.  She gave me a big grin and gave me the rest of the bag.  I put the bag on the top of the dresser [taller than her] and got back to my cleaning.  A while later I again found it a bit too quiet.  I found that little stinker had pulled out the bottom drawer of the dresser pulled herself on to the drawer and pulled that bag of candy off the top.  She was then crouching in the corner with candy stashed behind her back and two fists full of candy, enjoying more peanut butter cups~! I looked at her and again she gave me the most proud grin and giggled.  I said Ella that is not your candy and you are going to get a tummy ache.  That is naughty.  She, still grinning, smiled and nodded her head as proud as can be! I said it again, Ella that is naughty.  She, again, smiled and nodded in approval!

While this is so funny and many would say that is normal.  I will say, my boys did not do that!  So I say, what in the crap am I in for?  She is so cute and gets away with so much.....whew am I in for it! :)

Daybreak Car Show

Gregg was out of town again! So on a whim to fill up time for the boys I drug them over to Daybreak.  Mostly because I wanted to see the Batman car in person.  But secondly because I thought they would like it.  Seems as though Jaxon is sporting a 'teenage' attitude sometimes.  As you can tell from his eager smile! :) He was a good sport and went through with it even though he didn't want to go.

After walking around the cars, I asked the boys to stand by their favorite one and I would get their picture.  So funny what they chose. 
I LOVED the blue cobra.  Despite its color it was so sexy! whew I loved it. 
Zeke how funny, he loved the Volkswagen orange bug with a mow hawk! Very funny.
Kaden couldn't choose between the purple Pontiac GTO and the flame Chevrolet Corvette!
Jaxon--sometimes that kid melts my heart--As I said he was not really in the mood to do anything but be a grouchy teenager so he was not into it much.  BUT he chose this red car....don't even really know or remember what car it was.  We walked away and he said, "Mom I didn't really love that car anyway."  "Why did you want your picture by it then?" I said.  "Well no one was paying attention to it and I kind of felt bad."
Seriously!  doesn't that melt your heart!?
Jaxon can be the sweetest most thoughtful little bugger I have ever met! Love. That. Kid.

Extended Vaca

As Fate would have it our vacations alined this year! WOOT! So we had Lake Powell planned and boom wouldn't you know it Gregg needed to be out of town in Las Vegas the following Monday through Thursday!  Ah, worked out perfect.  We all got to go! YES! What fun.  The kids have never been to Vegas and I hadn't seen my dear friend MeKell in Vegas for years.  You know that friend the one who made a mark in your life and you just can't ever forget them.  That friend who you will want to remember forever....Yep, that's MeKell. 
So after 5 days in Lake Powell we headed to Las Vegas for a shower and a bed!
First stop across the street UNLV for our Pennant.  Yes, Gregg has started a fun tradition that for the boys we will get a pennant for every college/professional team for each city we/Gregg visits.  It is pretty fun.  It has dotted the 'Man Cave' with plenty of sports paraphernalia.  The boys love it.  However, after 5 days in Lake Powell in 100 degree weather [near/on the water too cool off the heat] 105 in Las Vegas on the pavement YIKES! not a good way to start off the Las Vegas adventure! They were complaining after 5 minutes of walking.  I tell you UNLV was seriously just across the street.  We just crossed the street and to the book store and that was too much for them. 
OK heat wave over.  We will be heading in-doors!
Second stop, meet up with the Joffs for a fun afternoon INDOORS at the Childrens museum.  The children had a great time.  And Who knew the 'bubble station' would keep older boys entertained!?  Well that kind of fun I'm down with!  Ah the smell of 'good. clean. fun!' literally!
Then after the museum we went to Joffs. What a beautiful home and back yard.  They are very proud of the new pool area they have just finished and I was so impressed with the beautiful landscaping they have done themselves! Love that girl I tell ya.
Then we did the 'strip' stores entertainment.  The kids loved the M&M world [maybe as much as me]. But the Coke taste testing around the world was fantastic.  It was pretty fun to taste the different soda's from around the world.  The strip is a fun place to see stuff.  We went in the earlier afternoon and kept our eyes off the ground! :) [If you have been there you know what I mean!]
Gregg treated us all to a FANTASTIC buffet at Paris and it was de-lish.  The boys got to taste and experience some really nice food that they may otherwise have not have tasted....that is until they discovered the dessert bars! YUMMY!  It was a very expensive but memorable dinner!
Great vacation.  I hope the kids will remember it.  What a long vacation too! Man, nearly 2 weeks away from home felt like forever.  I love to get away.  It is also great to get back home and into routine too!

Heaven on Earth!!

YES!!! HEAVEN ON EARTH!!!

I love Lake Powell! LOVE. IT. I. TELL. YOU!!!  We did it this year Gregg and I took the kids to Lake Powell.  It seems like it is always such a trip.  It is further than most and requires so much packing.  We are still tenting [not too much fun if you ask me].  But to be there and enjoy the scenery and weather and lake and family and, and, and.....AH I just love it.  I think I have Gregg convinced too.  He had a great time too.  We went the week AFTER Memorial day.  It was perfect.  We missed the holiday rush and had the campground to ourselves.  Yes, I said campground.  We/I have never stayed at a campground at Lake Powell.  I have either stayed on the beach or houseboat.  Not a campground.  Gregg and I decided it would be a little too scary right now with Ella being in her 18 month old wandering phase.  We didn't want to risk needing to keep her life jacket on for 5 days! :)  It worked out great.  There was a laundromat, showers, and gift shop.  Perfect...Well would have been perfect if it were in an RV....but who's complaining!  Ella did great and slept well.  Jaxon and Kaden slept in their own tent and felt like grown ups!  Zeke, Ella, Gregg and I slept in the big tent and had a great time.   

 We even got the  fishing poles out.....Never in my wildest dreams would I think I would own a Master Craft and NEVER would I think I would allow fishing on said boat if we owned one....but you have boys....what do you do?  They loved it.  Much to Gregg's happiness they didn't catch anything.  I don't know if Gregg would have known what to do with it if they did catch one. Ella did awesome this year in her life jacket.  Last year it was quite the fit. YEAH! 

They always surprise me every once in a while!  HOLY CRAP!  So we are just boating along and Jaxon starts talking about cliff jumping.  Thinking it is only the first of 5 days certainly we can warm up to it if he wants to.  Telling him we need to find just the right type of cliff that would be the safest.  The he shouts out...'A cliff like that one?'  Yes I said.  Then he said lets go and do it! Never did I think he really would.  Yes he did.  I said yeah, Jaxon you jump off that one and I will give you $10!  Without even thinking he jumped out and started swimming over.  Gregg said hold on, I better get in and check it out first!  No Gregg didn't jump [chicken] he just swam over and checked it out.  Jaxon continued to climb the cliff.  Then I counted and away he went! WOW!  What a proud mamma!

All of my kids have found something that they love. 
Zeke has decided to become quite the kayak er.  He got on and away he went.  He was grinning ear to ear!  He felt so big to actually steer the kayak around and go where he wanted all by himself.
Kaden and Ella are tub riders.  Yes, Kaden loves it.  Ella?  Yes, she is only 18 months and insists on riding in the tube! It is so stinking cute!
Jaxon is quite the wakeboarder.  He has figured it out pretty well and carves all over.  By the end of the boating season this year he has braved going in and out of the wake.  I think by the end of next year he will be jumping!
Ah, family time.  My favorite time.
 

First Year!

The guilt we put on ourselves as mothers. 

I have been feeling so bad when I look at my friends who have just had babies and how cute the baby pictures are they post on FB and such of their darling little additions [newborns are my fav by the way]. So I sit and feel guilty that I have this precious little one grow up before my eyes and I let all her year slip away from me with out pictures.

While I didn't make it a HUGE thing that I had a photo session with her, I guess I did after all take a few pictures that I think are cute.  Oh guilt is such a terrible thing! :)

 Ella has been such fun!  Although I really think I am just a complete basket case for the first year...or so! :)  It is always such an adjustment for me when adding a new little addition to our family.  Adjusting schedules and accommodating other schedules and the like.  But we made it through.  Fairly well I should add.  There was heartbreak, as always, but we made it through together!  ALL OF US!!

Everyone has asked me how it has been to finally have my little girl.  Well for the first year, I was...well um, its great! :)  Because honestly the only difference with a girl newborn and a boy is the diapers! Not much difference.  Now that she is almost 2!!!  WHAT FUN!  I can see all the fun little girl things light up her eyes that I think would have lit up my eyes!  I love Strawberry Shortcake and listening to her giggle with excitement just makes my heart flutter.  I love that she looks at me while I am getting ready for the day and tries to emulate what I am doing.  I put on my contacts, she needs some contacts on.  I put lipstick on, so does she.  She brushes my hair and giggles.  She looks at me for approval and when I say, oh so pretty she giggles with glee! Yes now I can say what fun.  She is a doll to have around the house.  She hopefully will not always be the BRUTE that she is.  Although with rough and rowdy brothers she is bound to have some sort of brute attitude.  That's ok.  I look back at me now that I have boys [not having any of them around growing up] and I love the fact I can play football with the boys [which we did just this last Sunday for 4 hours I might add], yet snuggle and be a girly girl.  She will be just fine.  Just more adjusted and use to rowdiness that I was!

I love our little family.

Just to remember my last moments being pregnant.  What a special time for a mom.  Only time in her life where she has her baby's heart all to herself.  Feeling every movement, every emotion and hearing every sound all to herself, before the big arrival.  Being pregnant has its ups and downs, I want to remember the ups. 

Life of sports

My life revolves around sports.Spring time brings baseball and lacrosse, summer and fall bring football, winter brings basketball.....ALL YEAR! :) YES!  I never thought I would be a sporting kind of mom.  I mean I grew up with sisters and our sports consisted of gymnastics (during winter with the school) and dance which was all year with competitions in January - March.  Then of course water skiing and snow skiing.  But these are all occasional type things.  They weren't sports that went on for seasons.

I love the sporting seasons.  It has taken me quite a while to get used to it though.  I makes my life constantly in-sane!!  Craziness!  But I would not miss it.  I love to see the boys play on Saturdays at their games.  I love to see all the hard work they practiced during the week to get them where they are.  I love how much they love sports.

 Zeke what a little rock star!  He is such a good sport.  This year he played machine pitch baseball for Herriman.  He played with his second cousin Aiden (AJ) McCleary. I love this age.  My boys have not played machine pitch at this age before and it was fun to see.  He is trying really hard.  He is still super confused at throwing and hitting.  He wants to play lefty but can do both and it really throws him off.  Gregg is working on the mechanics of throwing the baseball more and I think that is helping him.  We are just throwing the ball from his knee.  Cute little fart!  He loves it!  He is so tall it is hard to remember that he is only 5!

 Kaden was in his second year of Lacrosse this year.  He is really liking it.  He is the most aggressive in this sport, in my opinion.  I think it may have something to do with the fact he knows you are not supposed to throw each other down.  I was so proud watching him as he was totally after the ball and always right in the middle of the action.  He loved his Coaches this year and I think they taught him a lot.  He throws lefty too (like he is a switch hitter in baseball too) which his Coaches said was an advantage for him. 

Jaxon had his second year of Lacrosse as well.  He really likes this sport and prefers it a lot more than baseball or soccer, which are the two other options for spring.  If football were not around I know both Jaxon and Kaden would choose to play Lacrosse in the Fall as well.  Jaxon is always aggressive and sometimes finds himself being a little too aggressive.  He is always in the middle of the action and plays hard at everything.  The frustrating thing for me is the fact he refuses to wear contacts or glasses.  I understand glasses would not be fun under a helmet but the poor kid cannot see very well and won't admit it inhibits his playing.....I am hoping one day I will win out!  He is quite the little player and I love to see what he does each and every week.

Not even a picture...

So looking back it has been a year....a year....a year.  MAN does time fly.  I am going to do it.  I am going to blog again.  It really means so much to me.  And I have to leave FB and blog.  That is more important!  I will not rant, I will not moan, I will post the things going on.
I don't even have a picture for this wonderful post.  But I am posting for the first time in over a year.  So much has gone on.  I will NOT try to 'catch up' I will move forward.  I will reminisce here and there but I am going to do it.  No mater how tired I am I WILL DO IT!

GAME ON! :)