Chocolate Milk?

I am sure that I made plenty of mud pies in my day and I am sure that my mom was none to happy to see us walking in the house muddy. For those of you who do not know my mom, she is a clean freak - Love you MOM! Anyhow, yesterday my boys were outside playing in the dirt, "We're making chocolate milk", they said. Well I was in a hurry because I had scouts and I needed a shower so bad, so I asked Brock to keep an eye on the kids and keep them outside because I knew they were filthy and we just got our carpets cleaned. So I am getting out of the shower and Porter comes walking into my bathroom and he is covered in mud. I tried not to freak, thank goodness it was mostly on his top half and not on his feet. He was so proud of his muddy face, but did not want me to take a picture.

Egg Hunt!

Last week our ward had a Primary Easter Egg Hunt, the kids had a blast. Each child was to get 13 eggs, so they let the kids loose and in no time at all Brock and Jackson had their baskets full. I asked Brock, you only got 13 right? (He can definitely count to 13) He says, "Yep!" I count them just to make sure, glad I did, he probably had over 30 eggs in his basket. Brock was none too happy when we started taking eggs out of his basket, as you can see in the picture. Jackson didn't care how many eggs he got, he just wanted to candy that was inside. The boys actually got their candy taken away because they were misbehaving in church on Sunday, so we put it all on the fridge (that is where everything that is confiscated goes). So yesterday I was sitting at the computer doing some work and I can hear the sound of wrappers being ripped open, so I go to see what Jackson was into. Sure enough, he had crawled on the fridge to get his candy, and by the time I found him, he had eaten most of it, there were wrappers and eggs everywhere. This kid is fast, and determined when it comes to candy.

1 2 3 Kawabonga!

Okay, does anyone remember playing that game on the trampoline? I am reminiscing because we just got a trampoline yesterday. I was so excited for my kids, because we have been promising them for a while that we would get them something for the back yard. So we got home and Ryan's brother came over to help and we thought it would take an hour or so to put it together. Boy were we wrong. It took 4 1/2 hours! I let the boys stay up because they wanted to jump so bad. I think Jackson crashed at about 9:30, but Brock hung in there until it was finished. Even though it takes up most of our yard I can't wait to share with my kids some of the best memories I have as a kid, sleeping on the tramp, putting the sprinkler under the tramp on a hot day. At least it is a little safer now with the nets.

After 4 1/2 hours, the final strap!

This is Brock's 100th time asking if it is finished!

The ball of fire that is Jackson finally burned out Brock was on cloud 9!Jackson got his turn today and he does a pretty sweet front flip. Remember when the guys used to go head first into the trampoline and tuck and do a flip at the last second? That is what Jackson does.

What? No Tackling?

We have put Brock in Flag Football and while it was a slow start, he is finally showing interest and doing pretty well. I think Ryan gets the intensity out of him better than I can. Ryan was out of town so I had to try to motivate him. This game was pretty funny because several of the boys were actually tackling the guy with the ball. It was an interesting game.

Things of Value

I am not sure why I am posting this, but I have been thinking a lot lately about the things that matter the most to me and the things I value. I think it is so easy to get caught up in the every day grind and not realize how very blessed we are. I complain constantly about messes and kids, and I have to stop and remember the big picture. What would my life be without those messes, usually made by those kids. They have brought me more joy than I ever could have imagined. I am so blessed to have them in my life, and a loving husband to complete our family. I can't imagine life without them. And I am so thankful for the gospel and my loving Savior, who gives purpose to all of this. Ryan's mom gave me a Gratitude Journal for Christmas and you are to write 5 things that you are grateful for that day. I think that has helped me realize all the many things that I have to be grateful for and maybe I should spend a little more time thinking about that. Well I must end this post to go rescue Jackson from another painful accident. He has all my couch cushions in his room jumping off his bunk bed, and we don't have insurance. You gotta love em'!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I don't usually like this holiday. Who needs a holiday to tell someone that you love them right? Well this year was an exception, it was a great day. First, my bestest butt sister Casey Ann sent me the sweetest Valentine from Utah (Butt Sisters is Ryan's nickname for me and Casey Ann). I have really been missing her (she moved to Utah last year) and this totally made my day. The boys got bubbles and candy from Brynley (Casey Ann's daughter) and the sweetest cards from Grandma and Grandpa, along with gift certificates to McDonald's, they loved it! Jackson and I spent the day making heart cupcakes, I think he ate half the batter. Ryan surprised us with flowers and balloons and we had a great dinner together as a family. I think it was our best Valentine's Day yet!

Bubbles from Brynley!

Cards from Grandma & Grandpa!

My beautiful flowers from Ryan!

He Walks!

Porter finally decided to walk at almost 17 months. He is doing better and better every day. He is so cute and so fun to watch. He wants to do everything the older boys are doing. Like play football and wrestle.

The boys were running around with their footballs and helmets and Port came out with this one and put it on. It was so cute.

Whenever the boys are laying on the floor Porter takes that opportunity to get them while they are down. He was trying to eat Brock's nose in this picture.

Jackson decided to top the dog pile. Brock is under there somewhere.

I wonder where they learned this from (ha, ha). Thank you Ryan! This is usually a Sunday afternoon ritual, great way to bring the spirit into our home right?