A Glimpse into the Lives...

2012-02-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

Ryker

Toddlers are so fun. I love to sit around with my family and have the kids entertain Don and I. I love when something (cute, funny, annoying, etc.) happens and Don and I can look at each other with that knowing look. It's so great to connect in that way with your children's father. No one else in the world can feel that same exact joy/fear/excitement/love for your children except you and your husband. And surely no one else will think this get-up is as great as we do. (The light saber was made by Mason)

Our kids LOVE to dress up. Ryker will go from pirate to cowboy to space ranger to storm trooper to lion within a 15 minute span.

2012-02-07T14:19:00.001-08:00

Piper's Newborn Pictures

These photo's were taken when Piper was 4 days old. It's strange how it seems like so long ago because I can't imagine our life without her, but also strange how fast time goes. I already miss holding that little 8 lb. ball of deliciousness. Snuggling with a "curled up" newborn is the best.

2011-12-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Piper's Blessing

Today was Piper's Blessing. Don gave her a beautiful blessing and then we enjoyed a very spiritual Sacrament meeting. Today was the first time I have been to church since she was born and it was so nice to be there. I'm so grateful for my membership in the church.

This dress was made in 1950 by my Grandma Deane. She made it from the left over fabric from her wedding dress. I think it is beautiful.

(uh...wish I would have been early to church so that we could have had photos before Sacrament meeting instead of after...if ya know what i mean)

Look at all of those pleats, aren't they gorgeous?!

My sweet SIL made this hair thing for Piper. I love it.

2011-11-28T09:31:00.000-08:00

The high and lows of coming home...

It seems to be such an emotional roller coaster those first few weeks at home. I know that pregnancy hormones play a factor in that, but knowing still doesn't make it any easier.

Here we all are with Piper just a couple hours old
(Our new family of SIX. It makes me laugh to think that we ARE INDEED a family of SIX!) (My kids always look like ragamuffins in hospital pictures...don't feel bad Mom, I'm glad they are happy and taken care of.:))

So here are some of our Highs and Lows of the first few weeks...

High: This was my BEST labor and delivery. I really didn't want an epidural or any drugs. I did it and it felt so good. My contractions were 15 minutes apart all morning, we went in to the doctor at 2:00 to have her check me and I was at a 7. (We didn't go to the hospital first because I thought they would send me home since they were so far apart.) My contractions stayed 15 minutes apart until about 3:30, then 10 minutes apart for a couple. Then my water broke and I was ready to push. I "tried" not to push while waiting for my midwife. My midwife got there and since she was already crowning I gave one push and she was born at 4:00. It was all crazy wonderful.

Low: This is my forth time having stitches. I REALLY hate stiches.

High: Piper easily fell into a 2 1/2 - 3 hour eating schedule and has at least a 5 hour stretch each night and often a 7-8 hour stretch.

Low: Piper thinks its okay to poop like 30 times a day. This bad habit led to an ugly diaper rash for a day, but we have it under control now.

High: Snuggling a cute little person. (Don't you just love when you pick them up and they arch their back and curl their legs up...that really is the best)

Low: Our house feels VERY small now and our other 3 children seem to have much more energy than before which I didn't know was possible.

High: Having so many great friends that fed us for over a week followed by my sister who flew in from California and took care of us for 3 1/3 days AND filled my freezer with meals.

Low: LAUNDRY

High: Having a wonderful husband who has a flexible job and was able to take time off work to help and be with us for a couple of weeks.

(Maybe I should have put a bow on her head if I was going to take a picture of her in her brothers clothes. But who has time for that...remember...we are a family of SIX now.)

2011-11-25T12:20:00.000-08:00

Meet the newest member of our family....

Piper Jane
11/1/11
8 lbs 1 oz

2011-06-04T19:35:00.000-07:00

making things even around here...

By the end of this year we will be a family of 6. Kennedy is beyond happy that it is a GIRL! I am due November 2nd and feeling great. This pregnancy has been my easiest, by far.

2011-03-17T13:49:00.000-07:00

St. Patrick's Day

Each year on St. Patrick's Day we make a little trap and see if we can catch us a leprechaun. This year Mason wrote a note as well. Unfortunately, we were not able to catch the leprechaun, but he did leave us some fun things for St. Patrick's Day, including a response. What a fun morning for the kids.

2011-02-01T13:47:00.000-08:00

Trip to California

We headed down to California at the end of January. Our first stop was in Bakersfield to visit our dearest friends, Cheryl and Micah and their cute boys. I'm so disappointed in myself because I didn't take any pictures! Shocking, I know.

After a few fun days at their house, we headed to Uncle Miles and Aunt Jann's in Alta Loma. It was so fun to spend the day with them and to see Jocelyn and her family.

Monday morning took us to the Happiest Place on Earth where we meet up with Cheryl and Micah and the Moody's. It was so much fun. Once again, I just have a few pictures...:(

This picture was taken over by the Bug's Life theater in California Adventures...when we came out of the show, I could not find Mason. I was only slightly panicked, but still panicked. Someone finally spotted him over in line waiting to see Mickey. I find that I experience extreme emotions at these kind of places. Anxiety (about loosing a child, especially one crazy 2 year old), Panic (when I loose sight of 7 year old and a 2 year old a different time), JOY (5 year old LOVES fast rides), heartache...well, that's because this 7 year old boy is scared of the rides. He did better this trip but we had to convince him to go on several rides. (Okay PUSH and DRAG him on Pirates...oh yes I did.)

Yes, we used the animal lease at Disneyland. We needed it. The time we lost sight of him was the one time we took it off, which was while we were eating lunch. He wandered away and thankfully a family sitting near us saw him. Awesome.

Our kids with the Nilsson kids. The taller boy right in front of the tree....see him...that's Kennedy's future husband.

Had to add this one.

Cheryl and Asher.

Just 2 of the Moody kids in this one. Ya, I'm awesome with the camera. Speaking of awesome, check out Ryker in the bottom left corner.

The was another heartache for me. We went over to the Star Wars show and Ryker caught sight of Darth Maul and covered his eyes for about 30 minutes. It was pretty sad. We left right away when we saw how scared he was, but he just kept his eyes covered.

The last part of our trip we headed down to Carlsbad with the Moody's to stay in a condo right on the beach. It was so beautiful I could have stayed their another week. Unfortunately, I don't have a pictures. Surprise, surprise.

2010-12-25T08:42:00.000-08:00

Christmas 2010

Here are all the things that the kids left for Santa this year. Mason had a letter asking a few questions and his wish list. Kennedy left an ornament that she made at school.

Check out Ryker in the background. He wasn't into opening presents. He just wanted to watch a movie, so we let him.

Even though we only have a few pictures, we had a great Christmas. They kids loved their gifts and I loved watching them be so excited. Since they are young it is really easy to keep things simple and they are still so happy. (I do wish I had a few more pictures though.)

2010-12-15T08:34:00.000-08:00

*SNOW* 2010

It's so exciting when it snow around here. We had quite a bit this year and the kids loved it. I remember playing in the snow as a kid and having the best time. But boy oh boy... its so much work when you're the mom. Getting everyone all dressed in their gear, then undressed when they want to have some hot chocolate, then re-dressed to go play again, and on and on. I wasn't quick enough one morning and Ryker got himself ready to go play in the snow. He isn't worried about the details.

We had to shovel quite a bit this year as well. Our walks/driveways and several others who aren't able to shovel their own.

2010-11-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Boy

Ryker is such a Daddy's boy. He loves his daddy. Every morning the first thing Ryker says is "Dad?". Asking where his dad is. When Don gets home Ryker is always so excited. Ryker always wants to sit by Don or on his lap. And he would much rather Don put him to bed than me. It's makes me so happy that my kids have such a great Dad and that they love him so much.

2010-11-01T20:01:00.000-07:00

HALLOWEEN 2010
We had a cat/leopard (?), a giraffe, and a vampire. Super easy this year. All hand-me-down's and stuff we had around. Awesome.

Halloween always ends up being so stressful for me. My kids love this day and I try to squeeze way too much in, making it not too fun for me. We trick-or-trick in the late afternoon to all of the shops in the up-town shopping center. This is fun for the kids because it is still light and they can see all of the other costumes. We then rush home for dinner then head over to the church for our ward Trunk-or-Treat. This is fun to see lots of friends. Then I always want to trick-or-treat around the neighborhood because its so fun to see the kids getting excited over the decorations. And because I love walking down the sidewalks that are covered in the fall leaves and I love the crisp air. We also try see grandparents in there somewhere too.

In the end, its all fun, but a little too much. However, I know we will do the same thing next year.

2010-10-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins

We love to go over to Uncle Paul's pumpkin patch. There is no crowd and we get the royal treatment. (A long hay ride, Hot Cocoa, and lots of wonderful produce.)

We then went to Grandma and Grandpa Peterson's to carve our pumpkins.

We were happy that Uncle Chad and Aunt Musashi were there to carve with us!

2010-10-02T19:43:00.000-07:00

Fall Soccer

Kennedy and Mason both played soccer this Fall. Kennedy loved practice. The games...not so much. She didn't like all the people on the sidelines watching and yelling so she mostly stayed back and played with her ponytail. (nervous habit)

Mason was on a team of boys that were all older than him. (His b-day is 7 days too early to play with his own grade.) So he didn't really like it too well. The boys had all played together before and he felt a little left out. He did manage to improve dramatically through-out the season.

I guess we didn't take any pictures of Mason out on the field. We only have these super fabulous ones of Kennedy. :)

2010-09-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

First Day of School

We now have a Kindergartner and a 1st grader. They were excited and ready but I was not really ready to send Kennedy off to Kinder this year. She just seemed too young to go.

Mason loves school and was excited to go back. His Kinder teacher moved up with him and I was so happy about that. She is great and has done well at pushing him to perform at his level.

Kennedy kind of had 2 first days of school because she had a short day with me and then her "real" first day. I was so nervous, she actually looks a little nervous here too. She gave me such a big hug when I was leaving.

On the third day of school she didn't even want me to walk her up to her classroom, she wanted to go by herself. So I stayed parked where I could see her and her tiny little booty walk all the way down that long sidewalk to edge of the school and then I was so worried if she was in the right line. I had told Mason he had to stay with her until she was in the right place, so I had to tell myself she was just fine.

That next month I would always watch her run down the sidewalk as fast as she could toward her classroom. One day the 1st bell rang as she was about half way there and when that bell rang she kicked it into high gear and her huge backpack was bouncing all over the place. She looked so cute as she was dodging the older kids trying to get around to her door before the teacher opened it. I wished I'd had my video camera.

2010-08-15T15:44:00.000-07:00

Swimming...

This was our daily activity this summer. The kids feet were raw by august. (The other little boy in the picture near Kennedy is a friend, although he does kinda look like he could belong to us.)

2010-08-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

Boating with the Moody's

We had so much fun this summer boating with our friends. Our kids were a little scared at first but slowly started to really love it. Mason still wants to feel safe but Kennedy is willing to have a little more of a wild ride. It scares me because she bounces so high on any little bump and I am afraid she will go flying off and then be so traumatized she won't want to get back on.

Emma is pretty confident and a little crazy too. :)

Don and I even had a turn.

2010-08-09T15:21:00.000-07:00

Swimming Lessons

I usually have the kids do 3 sessions of swimming lessons each summer, which is 6 weeks and they are all ready to be DONE after the first session. There are some things that they can choose to do or not to do, this is not one of them for me.

Ryker usually just wonders around and plays on the chairs.

These two play in the kiddie pool while their brothers are having their lesson.

These kids have become quite the swimmers. Mason has been in level 6 these past 2 years (that is why he thinks he should be done) and now needs to perfect all the strokes that he has learned. Kennedy is still in level 3 but by the end of the summer she was doing very well with her crawl stroke and could hold her own anywhere in the pool.

It is so nice when you can go to the pool and your kids can swim and you don't have to worry about them. Thankfully their best friends are members too and so they have someone to play with when we go. It is always hard when we invite other friends because my kids forget their manners and just want to play in the deep end and their friends don't know how to swim well enough.

Next year I will have Mason do swim team and see how he likes it. If he wants to be done after that, I will be more open to it. However, I am hoping that if he earns a few ribbons he might think that it is fun and want to keep going for a few more years. Swimming is the best activity for these kids in this hot weather!

2010-08-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

Ryker

This little boy is so much fun. He is crazy, wild, and into everything and I can't get enough of him.

2010-08-05T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tennis Lessons

This year our pool offered tennis lessons in the morning during swimming lessons and Mason said he wanted to try it and I'm so glad he did. He had fun and it gave him something to do after his swimming lesson while he was waiting for Kennedy to get done with her lesson.

I know these pictures are awful...I hope that someday I care about having a nicer and camera and about taking more pictures. Maybe some pictures where you can actually see the kid. These are literally the only 3 pictures of his tennis lessons and I think he took for 6 weeks. I am awesome.

2010-08-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Couples Backpacking Overnighter

We went on an overnight backpacking trip with 4 other couples and had so much fun. (Much Thanks to Holly for keeping Ryker and my parents for taking the other 2.)

Suiting up for the hike in. It really was a nice easy hike, next time we would like to go a little further and do something a little more challenging.

Once we arrived at the small lake, Don and Jeremy started jumping in. Here they are discussing the angles of the jump. :)

Then they decided to swim across the lake...here they are on the other side.

Here is a little glimpse of the "campsite" and us cooking dinner.

It really was a beautiful place to sit and relax.

Here is mine and Don's set up. Funny thing...during the night I could hear something small outside our tent, then I could suddenly tell it was ON our tent so I got my flashlight and shined it around until I saw a little mouse climbing up the mesh on our tent. I woke up Don and made him get it off with a shoe...I was a little jumpy after that.

Hiking out the next day. The time went by way too fast. It would have been nice to stay another day.

2010-07-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Mason and His Crafts

Mason is my little crafter. He is always trying to think up something that he can make. He loves to make decorations for our home for every holiday. He also loves to plan little "parties" in his room. He will decorate and set up little stations for us to do things at. For Mother's day this year he set up different stations complete with signs for each one, some of them were...

-"snuggle with mom" - he had books and blankets on his bean bag
-"wash dishes with mom" - he had the play kitchen set up for this
-"play a game with mom" - he had a game set up on the card table

I can't remember what else he had, but it was really cute and I loved it.

Last Fall he set up a "Fall Fiesta" in his room and he made invitations for our friends that live next door. :)

2010-07-25T14:39:00.000-07:00

Kennedy and Ryker

Kennedy is trying to clip Rykers fingernails for him. This girl is so good with him...most of the time. She is able to play little games with him that are on his level and he absolutely adores her.

2010-07-23T12:41:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday Mason!

Mason had a great birthday this year. He had some friends over for a Star Wars birthday party. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures. (which is always a HUGE problem of mine)

A second party with family.

Opening presents in the morning. He got knights and horses, new goggles, a remote control car, and donuts for breakfast.

Mason is growing up so fast. Its so funny how we have always pushed him to grow up and be more mature, and make better choices and pretty much just always want perfection out of him. Poor kid. Now I want him to slow down and stay my little boy awhile longer.
Some things about Mason....
~Loves Lego's. (Mostly likes the initial following the instructions building)
~He is a one best friend kinda kid
~He loves us to lay in bed with him and he will talk and talk and talk
~Is a GREAT student
~Always wants a snack before bed (just like his momma)
~Gets embarrassed easily
~Has lost 8 teeth
~Is the tallest kid in his class
~Has a little temper. :)

2010-07-10T12:14:00.000-07:00

Camping With Friends at Lake Roosevelt

We went camping with some friends and had such a great time. Lots of good food, boating, swimming, a little bike riding, and much more.

Ryker was always ready for a bike ride.

I'm not sure that I should post this picture because she may be relieving herself her, but I can't help it because I think she looks so cute. Her and Emma are getting ready to paddle to the dock.

They made it.

We used LOTS of sunscreen.

A little football.

Camping means eating lots of junk food that they don't normally get at home. The kids are in heaven! Here is Kennedy enjoying some sugar for breakfast. :)

2010-06-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Last Day of School Water Party

We had some friends over on the last day of school for a little water party.

Kennedy and her best friend Christine
(These two girls are so funny, they are drama, drama, drama and so much fun.)

Ryker wanted to hold the hose the entire time and had a difficult time sharing, like any other 1 year old.

2010-06-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain, Rain

We have had so much rain lately here. I have been enjoying the weather so much. I love being able to open the doors and windows and not have a need to turn on the heat or a/c.

I haven't planted this tree yet. I can't decide if its a keeper or not. The stick that is connected to the trunk bugs me but I don't know if the tree could last without it. We get such strong winds here. What do you think?

2010-05-31T06:15:00.000-07:00

Kennedy's Pre-school Graduation

Kennedy with her wonderful teachers, Miss Sue and Miss Joan

Kennedy did NOT like wearing this cap and gown. She didn't complain but I could tell felt uncomfortable and she took it off very quickly.

(yes she is wearing my pink lipstick that stays on after it drys and she applied it herself before we left the house.)

(making sure her lipstick looks good)

Okay, I am so in love with these videos (just wish they were good quality). Kennedy did such a good job enunciating every word and did all the actions.

(Kennedy has really been liking my lipstick lately. The other night during dinner K was complaining (and whining/crying) that her legs hurt so I looked at them and they looked very dry so I told her to go down to my bathroom and get my lotion and we would put it on. She went and when she came back she was quiet, she had no lotion and she went right back to her seat and picked up her fork. We looked over and she had lots of my pink lipstick on.......(did she think we wouldn't notice?)

Don: You couldn't find the lotion?
K: Nope
Don: Did you put on some of Mom's lipstick?
K: Yep
Don: So did you have any time to LOOK for the lotion?
K: Nope

Ha! I love her.

2010-05-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Cannon Beach
After we spent a little while at Seaside we moved down just past Cannon where there was less wind. First we had to set up a seating area for our fire. (By WE I clearly mean THEM)

The tide was low and so we could walk around these rocks that were covered in sea life. It was amazing.

We had such a fun day at the beach. Mason said it was the best day ever. I love when I hear those words.

2010-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Seaside Beach

Our nieces and nephews are so good to our kids. Our kids are the youngest so they don't have any playmates their ages, but it makes family events really fun because we can actually relax sometimes, since we kinda have built in babysitters. :)
Kennedy and my niece Jessica.

Jess, Lance, Ryker, Don, Bruce, Sheree, Kevin

Ryker did not like this cold, windy beach.

Uncle Bruce put these glasses on Ryker and he didn't move at all, just glared at Bruce until they fell off.

The Oregon coast is the best place to fly a kite. You don't have to do a thing except hang on.

Jeremiah and Mason

2010-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

Portland/Seaside Trip

We took a quick trip over to Portland to visit Don's sister Sheree and her family. We went over to Seaside for a day and had so much fun. The kids got to ride on the carousel.

We stopped at Camp 18 on our way over and the kids loved these statues. (I overheard Mason telling someone that he saw Bigfoot when we were at the coast.)

2010-05-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Girly Girls - Who aren't afraid of worms

These Girls play together almost everyday, most of the day. They love to dress up, put on "make-up", do their nails, dig in the dirt, jump on the trampoline, ride bikes/scooters, and swing. It's so nice to have a playmate right next door.

The day after these pictures were taken, I found something gross on the concrete in the back. I asked the girls about it and they said it was a worm that they had pulled apart and then smashed. Mason said they like to find worms out back and tear them up. He said they also did that to a caterpillar once. (He does not participate in such gruesome activities. And even though I find it gross and cruel, I am glad that they are not scared/squeamish about such things.)

2010-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Father and Son Camp Out

So what do you do when the forecast for the father/son camp out is RAIN, RAIN, and more RAIN?

You ditch the ward and take your son to Red Robin for dinner, you come home and build a fire in the backyard, have smores, and sleep on the trampoline. Just you and Dad. Doesn't get better than that.

(I actually thought this was better. I am nervous the whole time they are gone when they are at the camp out because I know the boys often go explore and the Dad's talk. I always picture my son being lost in the woods. (Don assures me he knows where Mason is at all times.) I also thought this was better bonding time for them and Mason really did think this was the best.)

2010-05-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah's Baseball Game
We took the kids to Jeremiah's (Don's nephew) game. Don kicked it on the grass and snapped a few photos of the kids, while I talked to Sheree. So we have pictures of our kids and none of the game. Nice.

2010-05-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

My Carrot Peeler

Thank you Mason for always being willing to peel the carrots for me. I know that someday more of the carrot will be left on the carrot and less will be in the garbage. :)

2010-05-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mason: Kennedy!? Why did you do that? Mom, Kennedy drew boogers on my picture that I worked really hard on.

Me: Kennedy, that wasn't very nice.

Mason: Ya! You went downstairs with us then snuck up and drew those boogers.

Kennedy: No. I stayed up here and then when YOU went down I drew them.

2010-05-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

ROAD TRIP

We took a trip down to Utah this Spring to visit my sister and her family. We were there over Easter and had so much fun. Thankfully she takes more pictures than I do and I stole most of these from her blog.

Starting the Easter Basket Scavenger Hunt

Ryan, Carter, Kennedy and Mason

Waiting for the Easter Egg Hunt and Uncle Blake and Aunt Shauna's house. We had to move it in doors due to the snow outside.

Kennedy loved being spoiled by her Aunt Amberly

Playing games with family

We are obviously a very funny group.

Can't forget Cafe Rio
(okay I think this was actually Costa Vida but I feel like we are cheating on our true love)

Amberly took the kids to this Jumping place, which they loved.

We had such a fun trip and were spoiled so much. Can't wait to do it again.

2010-05-21T08:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 1st Birthday Ryker!

He wasn't sure about the cupcake at first. He didn't like it on his fingers and I think was hesitant because everyone was staring at him. In the end, he enjoyed it and finished it off.

We got him a helicopter that has lights/sounds/music. He was interested for about 1/2 a day. This boy doesn't really dig toys. He just wants to explore and destroy.

Ryker has been such a fun addition to our family. We have really been able to enjoy him with the other 2 being a little older.

A few things about Ryker:
-loves playing outside
-has 8 teeth
-is very cuddly
-sleeps 8 pm - 6:15 am, 9:30 - 11:30 am, and 2:30 - 4:30 pm
-has no bottle/binki/blankie (i.e. is attached to nothing)
-is easy to take anywhere (except church...he just wants to explore, which we don't allow)
-plays in the toilet if the bathroom door is left open
-loves to have his teeth brushed
-has had 4 hair cuts already
-weighs 23 lbs 40 %
-80% for height (can't remember how tall he is, nice one mom)

Dear Ryker,
I hope you don't feel jipped that we didn't have a big party for your 1st birthday like we did for your siblings. I know you don't care now and we are smarter this 3rd time around. We love you just as much as them and in fact, appreciate you more, you know, since we are smarter and all. Thanks for being my little snuggler and helping me remember that I have the best job on the planet.

2010-05-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Mason - Effort Award

(totally awesome picture with my quality camera) (Mason is bottom second from left)

Mason was awarded the "Effort Award" at school for always doing his best. His teacher said she never has to repeat herself or remind Mason what to do at school. He was excited about the key chain that he got....whatever motivates ya!

2010-05-18T07:00:00.001-07:00

Kennedy's Garden Party

We took pictures of the girls as they arrived and they also sat here with K as she opened her present from them. They thought it was so great. You know when you get all excited about the present you picked for your friend and then you don't get recognized at all for the totally awesome present you picked? Well this fixed that problem.

We made really fancy, beautiful fairy wands.

I love this one.

We also painted butterflies, jumped on the trampoline, and played with the parachute.

What a great day for Kennedy.

2010-05-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday Kennedy

Kennedy had a great birthday this year. She started out the morning tying her shoes by herself for the first time. Yipee. (I love it.) It was Centers at her Pre-school and so I went and helped. Miss Joan gave her 5 birthday spankings and Kennedy loved the attention. I made this cupcake flower for her and when I showed it to her she said, "Hmmm. It doesn't look very good." (uhh, ya, thanks) So we added the sprinkles and red hots and she said it was a little better.

She is wearing the princess pj's that Aunt Holly got for her at Disney World. She LOVES them. (She is also wearing her princess panties from Grandma Hatch.)

Kennedy got a new scooter, helmet, and the Princess and the Frog movie.

This little girl is so much fun. She makes me laugh every day and is such a girlie girl. She always wants me to dress up and put on lipstick and will tell me me how pretty I look. She is easy going like her Dad and is really fun to be around. She will sit back and watch and doesn't always have to be the center of attention. She will also make wise cracks, which I love. I enjoy her so much.

(We were getting ready for her "Mother's Day Tea" and as she was looking in the mirror she flipped her hair behind her shoulders and said in a sing songy voice, "I couldn't look any cuter". :)

2010-05-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

My 4 year old....riding her bike!

Don took Kennedy's training wheels off, came inside to get me and the camera, and I went out and there she was riding around. No following behind, no pep talks, nothing. I was so proud of her, I think she looks so cute riding around on that tiny bike.

2009-12-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

Getting the Christmas Tree

This year we got a NORDMAN FIR Christmas tree. You can't tell with it all wrapped up in its mesh, but it is beautiful and we love it.

(As you can see Mason is missing his 2 front teeth. He lost them before Halloween and his adult teeth still had made their way in. He has lost a total of 6 teeth now and he feels so grown up.)

2009-12-15T09:30:00.000-08:00

Family Picture
It seems like we never get pictures with all of us in it anymore. I love Kennedy's cute little face.

2009-12-15T09:25:00.000-08:00

SANTA 2009
Ryker looks thrilled. I'm sure if he could speak, he would have told us no thanks....not sittin' on his lap, just like Kennedy said. Later in the day Mason told me he knew that that wasn't really Santa, that it was just one of his workers dressed up.

2009-12-15T08:53:00.000-08:00

Big Sister

Kennedy is such a good big sister. She is so helpful and loving towards Ryker and he gets excited when she comes in the room.

Yesterday Ryker woke up from his nap while I was cooking dinner so I asked Kennedy to go down and talk to him until I could get him up. Ten minutes later when I got down there she was standing next to him, rubbing his back, and in her sweet voice saying, "Here she comes, momma's almost here." It was really cute.

2009-12-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

RYKER-IS-A-MOVIN'

This little guy has been keeping me on my toes for the last month. He is constantly moving and is into everything. He can pull himself up to standing anywhere, and gets himself stuck often. He has fallen off the dishwasher a couple times and down the bottom half of the stairs. He does successfully climb the stairs now, and is pretty fast, but I'm sure he will take a few more spills. He is very determined and will figure out a way to get where he wants.

He has his 4 front teeth now and has had a few haircuts. His diet consists of fruit, vegetables, rice, oatmeal, and he still nurses.

If it can fit into his hand, it goes in his mouth. I check his mouth all day long, and find various things in there.

He is a very good baby and is so much fun for us.

2009-12-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

Mason's Fall Festival

Mason had a little "Fall Festival" for us this year. He decorated his room by making a large pilgrim and a turkey out of butcher paper. He set up stations with various activities, like puzzles and games. He made invitations and gave one to the neighbors and we had a great time. Mason asked me to get things to make little turkeys for dessert. So I quickly ran to the store before the festival began.

2009-11-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

MOUSE

Last week....
Kennedy: MOM! I just saw a mouse run across the kitchen.
Me: Hmmm, are you sure?
K: YES!

When Don got home I was telling him what she said and she could hear the doubt in my voice and piped up with "AND IT WASN'T A SHADOW!".

Subject dropped.

Yesterday morning....
Don: It wasn't a shadow

bummer....

2009-11-19T21:31:00.000-08:00

Parent/Teacher Conference

WARNING: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A BRAG SESSION, SKIP THIS POST :)

We had Mason's first parent/teacher conference this morning, and it was wonderful. Mason had a + or an E (exceptional) on every section of his report card AND he has scored VERY TOP in his class for literacy.

I am so grateful to have a smart little boy who strives to do his best and wants to please. I am also grateful to a Grandfather who always said not to start a boy with a summer birthday in school until he is 6.

Mason SHOULD score well because he technically could be in 1st grade. However his teacher did say he also scored very well for a 1st grader and that his penmanship is also great for a first grader.

She also said that he always listens to instructions and follows all directions. This is something that we work really hard on at home so I am glad that it is showing at school.

I know that we made the best decision for him and I hope that we continue to get these great reviews through out coming years.

(A funny little note...I told Mason last night that I was going to his conference today and that his teacher was going to tell me all the bad things that he does at school. He knew that I was teasing and grinned but then got a little nervous and said, "I did get in trouble once in line for talking". Then a little while later he said, "Mom, I did get in trouble one other time for talking over Ms. Perkins. But I didn't get a yellow card."

Don't worry I assured him that I was teasing and that I knew his teacher had wonderful things to tell me.)

2009-11-15T11:40:00.000-08:00

Crazy Few Months

We have had the most crazy few months. Here is a short list....

-Grandma Ballard died
-Ryker born
-Fam reunion in Utah
-Renter #1 died
-Renter #2 give notice and move
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-find new renter
-Renter #3 give notice and move
-clean, clean, clean
-find new renter
-Family of renter #1 halfway empties house
-Gut rental and start renovations
-Don's Dad died
-Renter #4 gives notice and moves
-clean/paint/clean/paint
-Find new renter
-Grandpa died
-New bathroom goes in
-New kitchen goes in
-Renter #5 gives notice
-Finish renovations
-Renter moves in

Did you follow that. Ya, I know....CRAZY! We have had 3 family deaths and have had 4 renters move in the last few months and one moving in the next couple of months(hopefully after Christmas).

So not only have I been a busy mother lately, I have been a professional house cleaner, painter, contractor, and slave.

awesome.

2009-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Portraits

Kennedy got in trouble the other morning for being disobedient.

Kennedy drew this picture of Don.

She drew this picture of me.

Me: Woooow, Kennedy....I look....a little upset.
K: Ya. I drew you angry because you were angry with me this morning.

2009-11-14T19:48:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

2009-10-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

babylicious

Don't you just want to EAT your baby sometimes. Don't tell me you've never had that feeling. Their skin is just so soft, and squishy, and smooth, and buttery, and yummy.

Anyway, this afternoon I knelt down next to Ryker, and with his huge smile, he leaned his big head over to touch his face to mine. ahhhh! I was immediately hungry.

almost 7 months here

2009-10-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

CRAPPY day at the eye doctor

So Kennedy's pre-school has people come in and check their hearing, eyes and teeth. They take pictures of their eyes and then if needed, refer you to an optometrist. Her pics came back, and didn't look good, so they told us to take her in. I really didn't think much of it. She seemed to see things just fine. After a few months went by, I decided I would take them both in, just to see....

Mason first. "Your son doesn't have perfect vision, but he won't need glasses at this point. However, he does have serious tissue damage around his optic nerve." WHAT?

The doctor wanted to know what happened to his eye. He gets hurt ALL the time and I don't keep track. I can vaguely remember him hurting his eye and thinking, I'm glad his eye is okay. Short story is that we don't know the extent of the damage yet and will have to watch it. They can do tests later as he get older. Appears that he will just have a very LARGE blind spot.

Kennedy was up next....BLIND. SHE IS ALMOST BLIND. (her scrip is a +6.) I was totally shocked and devastated. I didn't want her to have to get glasses at such a young age. Especially THICK magnifiers. I did have a good Mom moment and I let her pick out the glasses of her choice. She choice the pink/purple ones with butterflies and rhinestones on the sides (not my fav). She is happy as a clam and knows she looks BEAUTIFUL.

Now I have to say that after I cried a little, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I'm so thankful that we found out so young, (she never complained about it...she didn't know any different), and so glad that there is an easy fix!

Here are a couple of pics of the new specs...

2009-09-29T10:50:00.000-07:00

Goodbye Summer

So long to riding bikes in flip flops and tank tops, swimming, and fresh summer produce.
Hello jackets, crunchy leaves, caramel apples, costumes, and fun decorations.

2009-09-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

Ryker

I haven't posted many (or any really) updates on Ryker.....

He is doing great. He is 6 months now and is happy, healthy, and very loved. I don't know his weight...haven't been to the doc since 2 months, but he seems very big.

Here is a little video clip from a couple of weeks ago, so about 5 1/2 months. (Please turn down your volume so you don't have to listen to me and my baby talk.)

2009-09-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Kennedy

Place: In the car
Me: Told Kennedy something (can't remember what)
K: "I know; that's what I was thinking in my ear"
Me: "You mean your head?"
K: "No, my ear."

Next day....

K: "Mom teach me that song again"
Me: sang the song
K: "Okay, Okay, stop singing now, I've got it in my ear."

Must be nice to have ears with multiple functions.

2009-08-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

Empty. Drained. Exhausted. Sad. Tired. Spiritual.

(This is Ferris with Mason in '03)

That is how we feel. Don's Dad passed away Friday night after a sudden heart attack. He was 67. About 20 years too young. We are too young, my kids are too young. Ryker will not know this wonderful man whom he was named after.

I'm too drained to write more.

2009-08-27T14:07:00.000-07:00

Camping at Priest Lake

We only managed to go camping once this summer but it was so great. We went up to Priest Lake Idaho and happened to go the only 4 days it rained all summer. BUMMER. However, we set up a great shelter and still had lots of fun.

Ryker was such a trooper and did great. He never complained about the cold weather, or anything for that matter. Mason and Kennedy also had a blast. What isn't to love about trees, sticks, dirt, bugs, water, bike riding, great food and friends?

I brought my camera....without the battery in it. So these pictures are from my Missy's camera.

Ryker at 4.5 months

This picture does not do our shelter justice. The tarp was HUGE.

Emma and Kennedy

Mason, Kaden and Ethan. We had a few minutes of sunshine here and there, but it was still so cold, I was surprised they wanted to play in their suits.

Kennedy

Ryker was so spoiled by Taylor.

One of these girls didn't have her hair combed for 4 days. She did go ahead and make herself a headband with her necklace. nice.

Mason

Ethan and Taylor

Thanks for the great trip Moody's!

2009-08-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

4 months....

Has it really been over 4 months since I last posted? We have been having a great summer and I am sad to see it coming to an end while also looking forward to the kids being in school again.

Ryker is doing great and growing way to fast.

I'll update with photos soon.

2009-04-13T11:23:00.000-07:00

don't you love when you go to get your hungry baby and he tucks his legs up, arches his back, and stretches? i. love. it.

2009-04-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

SO IN LOVE....

Ryker Ferris Hatch
(Ferris after Don's Dad)

March 26th, 2009
9 lbs 11.3 oz

Most people find a super cute picture of their newborn to post, but I had to post this picture so you could see the size of him!
(Special thanks to Ryker for placing his foot just so)

2009-02-28T17:16:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy Gift

Don't we all deserve to splurge on something after being pregnant for 9 1/2 months? I think so. So I went ahead and got myself this TOTALLY CUTE diaper bag. I am so excited for it to come, I hope I love it as much when it arrives as I do now.

2009-02-25T19:21:00.000-08:00

My Dancing Princess

Kennedy started ballet and since this is my first child in a dance class, I am so in love.

(sorry the pictures are so blurry...my camera isn't great AND there is glass between us)

So in the picture below, they were "stretching". Kennedy leaned back so that she could do a FULL butterfly with her legs. Then, they were supposed to lean forward to get a good stretch....

It must have been too hard so Kennedy went ahead and moved her legs to the back and influenced her friend next to her to do the same.
(notice the teacher and the other girls doing it correctly)

I thought it was too cute. I loved watching her at ballet. She was so happy and loves it.

2009-02-04T12:52:00.000-08:00

Friends

Aren't friends the best. I love my friends. I am sitting here crying because I am so thankful for my friends. I have always cared about friends and it is important to me to have good friends and to be a good friend.

I had a little pre-term labor problem yesterday and had to go spend a little time at the hospital and get some meds and a (really fun) shot. I am doing okay today, the contractions are slowing down as I rest and my cervix is (thankfully) holding strong so far.

(I am 32 weeks so this baby needs to wait and he seems to be doing just fine.)

So news spreads fast when you have good friends and they all want to help. One offered to bring dinner tonight and I convinced her that we were fine and that my great husband is perfectly capable of cooking of dinner. (He does it often)

Another friend insisted that she come over to get the kids ready for school. I told her no thank you ...she came anyway (and she folded a basket of laundry and cooked lunch while here).

My carpool friend insisted on driving both ways today AND on bringing over dinner. Which I again politely declined and she wouldn't hear of it. So we are having salmon at 6:00.

I feel blessed and thankful and loved. Thank you friends.

(my sisters are going to kill me....I swear I have been laying down all day, I just stopped to blog for 2 minutes when I got up to go potty)

2009-01-29T07:43:00.000-08:00

Kennedy

"Mom, can you take a picture of me because I look so pretty."

I agree Kennedy. You do look so pretty.

2009-01-24T21:01:00.000-08:00

Genius

We are doing a little construction around here and Mason was wondering why we were putting a window in the baby's new bedroom. So... we talked about how all of the bedrooms in the house have windows and then I, being the GENIUS that I am, thought it was a great time to talk about fires. (which he has learned about at school and has meet the firefighters and been on the truck and gone through the smoke filled house)

So I explained that all the rooms need a window JUST IN CASE there was a fire. Then we could get out quickly so that no one would get hurt. Of course I went on to talk about smoke and signs of a fire and how he should quickly open his window, push the screen out, jump out and run to the neighbors and tell them to call 911.

His chin started quivering and then he said, "Well I'll run to Kennedy's room and help her out first." Then there was more chin quivering and with a very shaky voice he said, "What about all my new (sobbing now) books? I LOVE my books. And my bed, I really like my bed. ALL my stuff would be gone."

I'm a genius. I'll bet he doesn't sleep a wink tonight.

(We did talk more about it and I think he feels okay now.)

2008-11-19T19:06:00.000-08:00

KAI AND AMY...this one's for you

2008-11-18T08:29:00.000-08:00

OCTOBER

October was a fun month for us.

Mason is in LOVE with the season. We would all have to look at every "haunted house" along our path as we went about our day, we spent HOURS looking at Halloween decor at every store that carries it, Mason spent everyday creating more "decorations" for his room, and he has planned out his costumes for the next 15 years. (Mason even cried one day because our house "isn't scary at all".)

We also spent most days in October with painted faces. Don was kind enough to allow Mason to paint him as a Vampire one afternoon. What a good Dad.

2008-11-16T22:08:00.000-08:00

Morning Breath...

Kennedy hates my morning breath.

The kids always come and snuggle in my bed with me in the morning when they wake up. (Don is already gone for work, he likes to get there early so he can be home early.)

On Saturday Morning when they got up and came down, Don was still in bed so we had so squeeze in tight and I had to scoot Kennedy really close to me.

She gagged.

Thanks K.

2008-11-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Sneaky...
There is a no gum rule at Mason's Pre-school. I knew this, but I forgot. The other day Mason asked for a piece of gum, I got him one and rushed him out the door for school. Upon his return home, he asked for another piece because he had to get rid of his at school.

Mom: "Oh, that's right you had to spit it out because you can't have gum at school."

Mason: (in a sneaky voice) "Yep, but I got really far with it."

Mom: "Really far with it?"

Mason: "Ya, I had it all the way until the end of the day when we were watching the ballerinas." (the nutcracker dancers came for a visit this day)

Although Don and I had a good laugh about this, I was disappointed that he was so proud of sneaking his gum most of the day. He is my sweet little boy that wants to please and USUALLY follows all the rules. I know its just gum, but I hated that he was sneaking.

The sneaking didn't stop that day.

I have told him he can't take toys to school. (I am assuming this is a rule.) Well he made a treasure map this morning and took it in his pocket to use at recess with his friends. He told me he pulled it out and showed everyone "where to go" and then folded it back up really small and put it back in his pocket. Mmmmmm.

Stay tuned for more sneaking at our house....I'm afraid it is just beginning.

2008-11-12T09:58:00.000-08:00

Summer Swimming Lessons

(August)

Mason loved swimming lessons this summer. He finally got over his fears and so he had so much more fun playing at the pool this year. Thankfully he is such a good boy that he usually follows directions and so when I wasn't in the pool with him he would stay in the shallow end like I asked him to do. (Then I didn't have to worry.)

I also think that it helped that I got him goggles. I always thought goggles were for wimps. I don't know why I thought that, but I'm over it and he swims much better now that he has them.

(One evening we were all getting together at Don's sisters house and I arrived after everyone else. My Mother-in-Law said "Wow, Mason is swimming so well, you didn't tell me he could swim all the way across the pool." Oh, I didn't know he could. Apparently he wanted to show her so he jumped off the diving board and swam all the way to the shallow end. I was so proud of my little 5 year old.)

His two "best moves" off the diving board this summer included this...
and this.
Pretty fancy stuff. :)

Kennedy did not enjoy lessons this summer, at all. She was used to the warm room that she swam in during the winter and spring that this going outside stuff was no fun to her. I have to admit the pool was pretty cold. She would lay on the concrete to get warm while she was waiting for her turn.
On the last day of swimming lessons this teacher makes them go off the slide and Kennedy was having no part of it. Here she staying as far away as possible.
Here she is after the teacher "helped" her up there...
Kennedy decided she would be going back down...
Stefany says....no way...I'll go with you then.
Kennedy was so ticked and still tells me she hates the slide. Hopefully next summer will bring more luck with her.

2008-11-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

It's a Boy...

Don and I could not decide if it was a good idea to take the kids to the ultrasound with us. In the end decided we would take them....NOT a good idea.

I had forgotten that we were really going to see if the baby is developing normally and not just to find out the gender. I had also forgotten how long they actually spend measuring everything. As I laid there just waiting for the moment when the doc would let me go pee, Don struggled to keep the kids quiet and respectful.

So after about 45 minutes the doc finally said well here you can see, it's a boy. I looked down toward the end of the bed at my family and realized they weren't listening and I said, hey guys did you hear that, it's a boy. Kennedy was DEVASTATED! Tears started streaming down her face and she said "No, I want a sister not a boy!". She carried on for some time, it was really sad.

I think more sadness will come after the baby is born and Mason discovers that this brother that he has been waiting for isn't going to be a playmate for some time and once he is old enough to be a playmate, Mason won't be interested anymore.

At any rate, I am excited for the new little one that will be coming into our home.

2008-11-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

Operation: Pile o' Thank-yous

This post is copied from my sister, Amberly. I have a portion of it here, but check out her blog for the full deal. I think this is a great idea!
http://jasonandamberly.blogspot.com/

"I think it is polite to send a thank you note.

(Even if I have failed to send you a much deserved thank you note I still think it is polite to send a thank you note - hey, I'm not perfect.)

And seeing how it is November and all - the month for gratitude - I decided to send my Commander-in-Chief a little thank you love. I was thinking about this quote, "...The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined..." (full article here) and I thought what, my friends, is more tender, kind, and refined than a lovely homemade thank-you card with a thoughtful expression of gratitude?

By the by, I called the White House today to make sure that mail can really get to the President and I was assured that it would. I am not kidding, I really called the White House and I even blushed a full crimson blush as I talked to the switchboard operator. So get going, send a card, and pass this on."

I too hate that President Bush is being blamed for things that are not in his control. Check out the following article....I found it interesting.

http://www.meridianmagazine.com/ideas/081017light.html

Now go check out Amberly's blog... http://jasonandamberly.blogspot.com

(Libbie...just copy and past the URL in your browser) :) :)

2008-11-05T20:58:00.000-08:00

Mowing The Lawn

Mason loves to help Uncle Kevin mow the lawn.

As soon as he hears the mower out there, he hurries out to "help".

(On this particular day he wasn't dressed and I told him to get some clothes on before going out. Stripes and plaid....)

2008-11-04T08:13:00.000-08:00

GOD BLESS AMERICA.

I've been emotional today. Like many of you, I am concerned about the election today and the future of our Country. Let's keep praying.

2008-09-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

Babies and Irvine Lagoon

Mason:  "Mom, we can keep having babies because when Kennedy gets bigger she can start having them for us and I'll be the Dad."

So after some explaining, and me thinking that he understood, we dropped the subject.

About a week later...

Mason:  "So what is Jer (his cousin) going to do because he has 2 sisters, so will he just have to choose 1 to have his babies?"

I guess I didn't do a very good job explaining the first time. The only thing he DID remember is that he can't have babies until AFTER his mission and AFTER he is married.

So I took a new approach. We talked about different girls that are his age now, that maybe after his mission he could date and if he fell in love with one he could ask her to marry him.

One of the girls that I mentioned is THIS CUTIE who is one of his friends. A few minutes later he informed me that he doesn't think he'll ask Edyn to marry him because he thinks she'll say no. I let him know that she'll be chasing him around in a few years.

So then he wanted to know who Kennedy can marry. I already have him picked out and Kennedy likes him as well. Here they are... she is flirting already.

You can find HIM and his family HERE. Aren't they great?!

2008-09-19T11:55:00.000-07:00

Blogging Hiatus

You may have been wondering where I have been, or maybe you haven't wondered since I have never been that great about blogging. Since it has been so long since my last post, maybe you have given up on me my dear friends. Hopefully not, because my BLOGGING HIATUS is because I have been hoovering over the throne for the last 7 weeks....

2008-08-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

Liam's Blessing Day

We were so glad that we were able to be there for Liam's blessing. The first picture is us with my sister Megan, her husband Tyson and their 2 boys.

(My kids wanted me to take hundreds of pictures of them in this tree. I even have pictures of Kennedy crying after I told them I was done taking pictures of them. )

2008-08-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

Where Do I Start?

So where do you start when you haven't blogged in 2 months. It feels so overwhelming that I don't even want to catch up. So I could start from today, but then I wouldn't have on record all of the fun and not so fun things that have been happening in the last 2 months.

So here is a quick run down and then I will will follow up with pictures and more details in the days to come.

-Went down to California to attend my nephew's baby blessing
-Met some of our favorite people in the world at Disneyland and had the best time
-Attended my baby Bro's Graduation from University of Seattle
-Went to the Seattle Science Center
-Painted our new house for 6 days (Many thanks to my awesome friends who helped)
-Spent 5 days cleaning/painting/finishing old projects at our old house (again thank you friends)
-Moved (Thank you friends)
-Swimming lessons
-Quick trip to Boise to visit my sister before the move to Utah (or Metah as Mason used to say)

So we have been busy and have had a great summer. Don is already saying we need to go back to Disneyland. We had so much fun.

2008-07-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

Busy, Busy, Busy

I know it's been almost 2 months since my last post. Just give me a couple more weeks. We are moving and I am too busy. But when I get back, I have plenty to blog about.

2008-05-28T07:15:00.001-07:00

Memorial Weekend

Dad and Kennedy

(She is holding her favorite toy she owns)

These kids played hard all weekend. So Fun

(Don't mind Mason's PJ top)

Kennedy and her friends playing in her bed.

(After a few minutes the other two girls came out of the tent and Kennedy stayed in there crying and one of the girls went up to her Mom and said Kennedy wasn't sharing her toys. I went in and asked Kennedy what was going on and she was sobbing saying "My friends won't play with me.". So I guess she expects her friends to sit there and watch her play with her toys. I hope she learned her lesson.)

Loving those marshmallows

She played in this mud all afternoon. I swam here at the river all growing up and now I can't even stand to get my feet in. So gross.

We didn't take enough pictures so we don't have everyone here. (Sorry). Even though it rained all night one night, and we had earwigs in all of our stuff, we had a blast camping.

Thanks friends for an awesome weekend.

2008-05-19T20:52:00.001-07:00

Fingernails...

Kennedy, like all little girls, loves to have her fingernails painted. Today she saw some polish on the desk and asked me to paint her nails. When I looked down, I saw that she had clearly been biting her nails. I haven't seen her do this and we clip her nails often so it must have just been in the last couple of days. So I asked, "What happened to your fingernails?". Kennedy said, "I don't know.", while glancing down at her hands. Then I said, "Did you bite them?". Her response...."Noooo, I ATE them!".

hmmmm.

2008-05-18T21:10:00.001-07:00

God Bless The USA

Don was on a business trip a couple of weeks ago and when we went to the airport to pick him up there was a Soldier returning home from IRAQ. I was so glad that we were there at the airport at that time.

There were all these people (that didn't know the soldier) there to welcome him home and thank him for his service. They had lots of flags and they had the song GOD BLESS THE USA playing while he was shaking hands. I was standing there crying like a baby, so proud to be an American.

I was impressed by all the people that took time out of their Saturday to drive over to the airport to let this serviceman know that they appreciate him. I am thankful that people are willing to serve and sacrifice so much for our Country.

There are lots of people in our government that are corrupt, I know this. But I feel like one of the luckiest girls in the world to live in this great Country.

Mason was so curious about the whole event. He has asked many, many times about where he was fighting and why. It is very hard to explain to a 4 year old. Mason is so blessed and he doesn't even have any idea. He has a home, a bed, toys, all the food he wants, clean clothes, fancy pre-school...the list goes on and on....

GOD BLESS THE USA

2008-04-19T23:43:00.000-07:00

Just a Spoon Full of Sugar...

Mason was singing this song this afternoon and I thought it was cute. He is always dressed up in some way or another, he LOVES costumes. I love this boy.

2008-04-17T19:57:00.001-07:00

ANNOYING...

Okay, so I just wrote the post below and the top picture you can click and enlarge and the bottom one you can't. What the heck?

2008-04-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING

The weather here in the TC has been so wonderful. I LOVE springtime. We spent all day Saturday working in the yard and I have to say that I don't mind yard work on a beautiful spring day. I actually enjoyed myself.

Kennedy doesn't mind bugs if she sees them from a distance and then she will walk up and take a peak, as long as she feels totally in control. However she gets just a little frightened when one surprises her. There is always surprises when your doing yard work so she spent a chunk of time here and there in her car seat in the car. She felt more safe there. (Don't worry, we had all the windows down and it wasn't too hot. Oh, your probably wondering why she didn't just go inside...we were at one of our rentals.)

I tried to take a picture of the little rascal after a day in the dirt. She was sticking her face up really high and I said, "Can you hold your head just a little lower for me.". Below is the result. :)

2008-04-14T16:12:00.001-07:00

THE HAIR
I know I have brought this up before and its a little embarrassing to even be bringing it up again....Mason has had several trims, but never a big cut. I finally decided it was time. My stomach hurt and I walked into Monkey Dooz and saw the lady working, and asked, "Is there anyone else working?" Why would I say something like that? So rude.

She said "No, just me". I actually told her we were in a huge hurry and would have to come back. What an idiot. So I had time to go in and then suddenly, I didn't have time anymore. Whatever. I never had to see her again and my boy still had his hair.

I did take him to my friend and his hair has since been chopped off and I don't like it. I think I will just wait until we go down to Disneyland and my awesome haircutting sister can fix it.

So, yes, his hair has been chopped off. You can see a picture on the next post down. I have to say though, now that it is cut, when I look at some of his old pictures, he looked a little like Billy Ray from the back....whoops. Sorry Mason.

2008-04-14T15:26:00.000-07:00

THE POINT OF SEPARATION AT COSTCO

Costco can be so traumatic for young kids. You go all through this HUGE store that has tons of fun things, lots of food, and fill your cart to the brim, usually having the kids hold some items, (nothing that they asked for of coarse) and then.....you get up to the front.

The kids start getting a little anxious, they know whats coming. "Mama? Mama? Mama, hold me?" They know that they are going to be pushed onto the other side of the aisle and some strange man or woman is going to touch the cart and talk to them. (When you have 2 kids, you can't hold one and send the other alone, so I just let them suffer together). My kids hated this when they were younger (they are thankfully, fine with it now). They would put their head down and hope that no one talked to them and then when the boxing/bagging lady or man would excitedly say hello, the tears would come. They would sit there in total fear with huge tears streaming down their faces.

Well last week at Costco there was a black guy working. And he had dark, dark black skin and the little girl in his aisle was going crazy. She was so scared and anytime he came even close to the cart this girl would start screaming hysterically. "MAMA, MAMA, MAMA." She was kicking her legs and thrashing around. When he was done filling the cart and pulling the cart around to the end, she was so loud that no one else in the store was making a sound. I felt so bad for the bagger. He was smiling and trying not to look at her, but she would turn around and see if he was still there and scream louder. (Yes, I was trying to act like I wasn't staring just like everyone else in the store, but I totally was, just like everyone else in the store.) Apparently she has never seen a black man before and the line at Costco was not the best place for her first experience. We need more people of different races in our little community.

On another note....be proud my friends, very proud. As I was walking past the camera's at Costco I grabbed one and put it in my cart. No consumer reports reviews (yes, I have an online subscription) with me or anything. I just grabbed it. I was so proud of myself. Hopefully I don't regret it. I just bought the $170 nikon so not a huge deal if I don't like it.

First picture with my new camera. Kennedy did not want her picture taken....

I bribed her with a piece of candy....what a turkey

Does anyone know why sometimes when I upload pictures to my blog you can click on them and make them larger and sometime you can't? This drives me nuts.

2008-04-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

HELPING A GOOD CAUSE

For every vocab word you get right 20 grains of rice are donated to the UN World Food Program.

Go to the website and start donating. It is fast and easy, I have been trying to donate one full bowl a day. You can do it very quickly.

http://www.freerice.com/

(Thanks Amberly for the information.)

2008-04-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Kennedy

-Sweetheart - Little Monkey -

-Rootin' Tootin' Fartin' Girl - Kenna - Princess-

It seems that I often post about all the bad things my kids do because I am so nervous about my blog being too braggy. But, I guess it is MY blog. So here's to being positive...

I love this little girl. I love her sassy little attitude and her sweetness. She is so cuddly and is just like a little monkey. When you pick her up she is so light and she just clings to you. Everyone loves to hold her.

I love when after I put her down for a nap and I leave her room she always yells 'I love you more!". I love how she looks over at me during swimming lessons when she knows she did a good job and she wants to see a thumbs up from me. I love seeing all 24 lbs of her floating in the water unassisted.

She can play well independently and that is so cute to watch. I love how she looks at her older brother to make sure she is doing things correctly.

After she would open a present on her birthday she would say, "Is this for ME? It's my FAVORITE!". So cute. I love how when she feels cute she walks with long strides, her head held high and smiles. (Don't we all do that a little?)

I love watching her little hand wipe her hair out of her face. I love how she puts her lip gloss ALL over her upper lip.

I am going to miss her sweet little voice when she gets bigger. Tonight we got home from the gym and Don had gotten home and cooked Spaghetti and when we walked in the door she said in her cute little high pitched voice, "Dad you cooked us SGHETTI?".

LOVE HER.

2008-03-31T13:56:00.001-07:00

Random....

-Still searching for a camera. I need to do it. I have got to get myself a camera because not only is it effecting my blogging, but I have no pictures of some important recent events. (... Kennedy's 3rd B-day, Easter, Mason's soccer team, Don's b-day,....I could go on and on.) Do you want to know why I haven't found one yet? I always have to make sure I get the best deal for my money. Need a stroller? I'll tell you the best one, because you can believe that I researched it for hours. Car seat? Same thing. Washing Machine? You bet. Baby gift....I drive myself crazy! Libbie (who's baby was born March 2nd) has still not received a gift from me and I have gone looking 3 times. I have spent so much in gas that I could have gotten her my favorite outfit at the GAP full price....I annoy myself. :)

-Mason wants a new baby in our family, he has mentioned it several times lately. This morning he asked if the egg in my belly was cracking yet.

-Lately if Kennedy is doing something she shouldn't be and you correct her she says, "Stop talking to me".

-Kennedy got a doll house for her birthday and she loves it. It still doesn't top the princess's that she got for Christmas though. (Thanks for the idea Laura). They were $10 for 8 or so little plastic princess's at Target and she LOVES them. She has a little Dora lunch box that she keeps them in and they go everywhere with us. She even takes them to bed.

-I'm so glad it's Monday because Don and I had to speak in church on Easter and then I had to teach combined YW yesterday and I'm glad it's over...I can start getting my house back in order.

-My MODBE BOUTIQUE went great!! Thanks to all my friends who came and spent their money. This is what I got for FREE - 2 swim suits, 1 swim skirt, and 2 shirts!

2008-03-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

modbe boutique

I am having a modbe clothing boutique Tuesday from 6:30-8:30. Everyone is invited and if you live to far away you can still place an order. Just email me and let me know. taramhatch@hotmail.com

Check out their website. They have such cute swim suits....I can't wait to order one.

http://www.modbeclothing.com/

2008-03-14T14:15:00.000-07:00

Derek and Lacie

Here are a few pictures (stolen from other people's blogs) from my brothers wedding. He got married February 2nd in the Seattle area. Lacie is so cute and we are excited to have her in our family.

2008-03-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Family Picture

I think it might be time to have a talk with Mason.

The first time Mason drew a family picture with so much "detail", I thought it would be a one time thing, but it's not.

In case you don't know who is who.....The picture order is Mason (with curly hair), Dad, Mom, and Kennedy.

(When I saw the picture I told him it looked nice and he said, "Don't you think Kennedy looks funny?". I said "No, she looks cute." He said, "Well, I think she looks funny because she doesn't have any hair but there isn't room for me to draw some.")

2008-03-05T14:33:00.000-08:00

INAPPROPRIATE?

Okay, so I debated about whether or not I should post this but I think it is so dang funny. Don said that I might not want to post it because then it will be printed in a book later. But, I decided some of you would enjoy it....so it is worth it. (I got this from Libbie, so thank you for the good laughs Lib)

IF YOU ARE OFFENDED EASILY DO NOT READ THE REST OF THIS POST

HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A WOMAN:

Take off clothing and place it in sectioned laundry hamper according to lights and darks.

Walk to bathroom wearing long robe.

If you see husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas.

Look at your womanly physique in the mirror -- make mental note to do more sit-ups/leg-lifts, etc.

Get in the shower.

Use wash cloth, long loofah, wide loofah and pumice stone.

Wash your hair once with cucumber and sage shampoo with 43 added vitamins.

Wash your hair again to make sure it's clean.

Condition your hair with grapefruit mint conditioner.

Wash your face with crushed apricot facial scrub for 10 minutes until red.

Wash entire rest of body with ginger nut and jaffa cake body wash.

Rinse conditioner off hair.Shave armpits and legs.Rinse off.Turn off shower.

Squeegee off all wet surfaces in shower.Spray mold spots with Tilex.

Get out of shower.

Dry with towel the size of a small country.

Wrap hair in super absorbent towel.

Return to bedroom wearing long robe and towel on head.

If you see husband along the way, cover up any exposed areas.

HOW TO SHOWER LIKE A MAN:

Take off clothes while sitting on the edge of the bed and leave them in a pile.

Walk naked to the bathroom.

If you see wife along the way, shake wiener at her making the woo-woo sound.

Look at your manly physique in the mirror.

Admire the size of your wiener and scratch your butt.

Get in the shower. Wash your face. Wash your armpits.

Blow your nose in your hands and let the water rinse them off.

Fart and laugh at how loud it sounds in the shower.

Spend majority of time washing privates and surrounding area.

Wash your butt, leaving those coarse butt hairs stuck on the soap.

Wash your hair. Make a Shampoo Mohawk.Pee.Rinse off and get out of shower.

Partially dry off.

Fail to notice the water on floor because curtain was hanging out of tub the whole time.

Admire wiener size in mirror again.

Leave shower curtain open, wet mat on floor, and light and fan on.

Return to bedroom with towel around waist.

If you pass wife, pull off towel, shake wiener at her and make the woo-woo sound again.

Throw wet towel on bed.

If there is anyone who did not laugh at the truth behind this, there is something SO very wrong with you. Have a great day..... and woo woo!!!

2008-03-04T21:10:00.000-08:00

Crazy Day...

Sometimes I think of something that I want to blog about for my journal but then I think, no that's so boring, no one wants to read that. But really I am blogging for myself (okay, and because I LOVE to keep in touch with all my friends) and once I get enough blogs I am going to have it printed in a book from http://www.blurb.com/. I love to look at old letters that my grandparents have and an old old journal that my Mom kept from when I was a child. (There isn't many entry's in that one, but I still love it.) So my blog today is really just for journals sake, so you might not want to waste your time reading about my crazy day.

So this morning Don came in at 6:40 asking if I had seen his keys. I hadn't and I could hear him searching downstairs and so I couldn't sleep. I went down and we searched for 2 1/2 hours. We never found them. We are assuming that one of the kids took them and they are in some random toy somewhere but both of the kids say they didn't touch them....whatever. (His spare key was at our car mechanics house...ya, ya, we need more spares.) So Don dropped the kids and I off at the gym with the double jogger and he headed to work (The gym is only about a mile or so from home). He works about 25 minutes from home. Anyway when it was time to head home I realized I had not taken a key to get back into the house. Most people have a window they can break into or some way to get in. Not us.

So my great friend at the gym said we could hang out at their house. Which is great except my other great friend Libbie had her baby girl and was coming home from the hospital tonight and I had told her I would bring dinner, and I really wanted to. (Not to mention that when you take a friend dinner after having a baby they always think that you are a great cook because they are starving after giving birth. :)). I needed to go to the store to get all the stuff. So my friend took us to the store, then we went to her house for awhile, then back to the gym for the girls swimming lessons, then she took us home and helped me make dinner for my family, her family and Libbie's.

I also had a meeting tonight and I had to bring refreshments. I showed up at my meeting smelling like homemade chicken noodle soup, in my workout clothes, with chocolate on my shirt. However, Libbie got dinner and I was at my meeting on time, with refreshments. And now that I am home and can relax, I just finished eating my 4th Seven layer bar. What a day.

Oh, maybe you would like the recipe for these. They are super healthy. (kidding) :)

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (I used pecans)
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cups shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
Place butter in 13 x 9 inch pan and melt in oven. Swirl to coat bottom and sides with butter.
Spread crumbs evenly over bottom of pan. Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and nuts over crumbs. Pour condensed milk over nuts. Sprinkle coconut over condensed milk.
Bake until edges are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool.

2008-03-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

LOVE

Mason: "Mom, I love you as long as a bean stalk." (pretty creative)

Me: "I love you all the way to the moon." (copied from the book because I have no imagination)

Mason: "I love you all the way to heaven."

Not sure how far that is, but I sure do love him.

2008-02-25T20:57:00.000-08:00

Funny Story...

We went to my parents house for dinner tonight and my Mom had bought both of the kids a pair of sunglasses....Kennedy wore hers all the way home (it was completely dark outside).

Anyway, it made me think of a time when I was a kid and I had gotten a new pair of sunglasses and I looked sooo COOL when I was wearing them. We were on a short road trip to Spokane (2 1/2 hour drive) and I had the window down and had my head slightly out the window letting the wind blow my hair and the warm sun shine on my face while I was sporting my new shades.
And wouldn't you know, a gust of wind took those sunglasses right off my face and they were somewhere on the side of the highway. I yelled for my mom to stop so we could get my ($2) sunglasses and she said we couldn't stop but that if I saw them on the way home she would stop. mmmmmmm....... Is that mean, or smart? Not sure, but I was quiet all the way home as I kept my eyes peeled looking for my shades. Nope, never found them.