Happy Birthday Russ!!

My sweet husand turned 39 today. If you ask me he doesn't look like he is 39 or anywhere close to it. Maybe because his wife is so much younger than him. (Not really only 7 years) We had a fun day. He started his day off at 4 am by going to Kohl's for me to pick up a special present that Calleb wants for Christmas. I was going to go but he offered, and since I was already sleep deprived from working two graveyard shifts this week I let him. The boys all made special cards for him. Russ let Marshall open most of his presents so that he could get practice for his birthday coming in a few weeks. We got him some new clothes, a football and The Office season four. Later we took the kids to my Mom's, did a little Christmas shopping (where he bought me a present for his birthday, some new clog slippers). Then I let him take me to see Twilight. I think he thought the movie was a little corny since he hasn't read the books, but he endured it for me. We then went and got the kids and took them to dinner with us. All in all I think he had a great day. I sure love this guy. He is a great dad, he loves making up games for the kids to play, he loves helping them expand their imaginations, he loves to take them fun places. The boys love being around him, even when he is trying to hide for some alone time they always find him and he doesn't mind. He grew up with 4 brothers and no sisters and since I am usually the only female around here he knows I feel a little left out some of the time. He always tries to include me and demands that his sons show me respect. I love that about him. He works hard to make sure that we have all that we need and more. I am so thankful to have him in my life. Happy Birthday babe!

FuN aT tHe FaIr

I have been feeling guilty for not keeping my blog updated. I know that I have many raving fans who are just waiting for an updated post so here you go. A few weeks ago we took Russ' parents with our family and went to the Utah State Fair. It was Russ' parents first time to attend the fair. Of course they were not disappointed. After checking out the animals and some of the other attractions, we feasted on a funnel cake and a $4.00 slice of pizza (not I'm not kidding). All in all we had a good time. Here are some of my favorite pics from our outing.

Sweet 16 and never been kissed???

Sweet 16

Abril, Brianna, Angelle, Breydan and Cody
Getting ready to cut the cake

Pap Pap Doutt, Angelle and Grandma Doutt
Angelle, Aunt Hilary and baby Presley (yes she does have a face)
Nathan, Angelle, Kara and Noah
Aaron, Audrey, Angelle and Brody
Casey, Rylin, Angelle and Chasidy

(It is so cute Rylin has a crush on his older cousin Angelle)

We celebrated Angelle's sweet 16 by throwing her a surprise party a week before her actual birthday. Her mom Melissa rented out their club house for the big bash. We invited all of her Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins which with my family, Russ' family and Melissa's family turned out to be about 50 people. It was neat to see so many of the people Angelle loves there to celebrate her big day.

I have been thinking so much about when I turned 16 and the things that I know now that I wish I would have known then.

Here are some of them.

Enjoy your high school years, they will be gone before you know it and you will wish you would have enjoyed them more.

Take your time to make the big decisions in your life. Don't rush into things.

Notice the small things in the world. The sunset, a pretty flower, the clouds, etc.

Take advantage of the years your parents still financially support you. Save your money!

Finish college before you have kids!!!!

Don't worry so much about what people think about you. Be yourself! It won't matter 10 years from now.

Have fun! Have fun! Have fun! There will be plenty of time for boys, jobs and cars. Have fun with your girlfriends!

What a cute cake a friend of Melissa's made it.
The whole family
Grnadma Chris 1/2 of Avery's head, Angelle and Papa Les
Holly, Angelle and Russ
We were teasing Angelle that it has taken two Moms to raise her.

Holly, Angelle and Melissa



We love you Angelle. We are glad you are a part of our family.

Mixed Emotions

Fifth grade and first grade I can't believe it!



Can you tell how excited Calleb is.

Like most of the mommies around the country, I too am posting about my boys first day of school. They started school yesterday. I always have mixed emotions on the first day. I am always so nervous for them and excited for them at the same time. As a child I always loved the first day of school, meeting my teacher, seeing who I was going to sit next to, checking out my new classroom, etc. etc. This year Tallon is in fifth grade ( I know hard to believe) he allowed me to walk him to his class, but not into his classroom. He is at the age where he doesn't think I am so cool anymore. That's okay I can deal with that, I remember feeling the same way at that age. I was a lot more nervous for Calleb, he was making the huge transition from Kindergarten to First grade. He is also a much more timid and sensitive child. I have always guarded him a little closer because of his soft personality. I took him to his classroom, found his desk, gave him a big hug and left. There were no tears from either one of us. I was so proud of myself and of him. Well the afternoon was a different story. I waited outside the school by the doors he comes out of with a big smile on my face and my arms out to give him a hug. The minute his eyes met mine he burst into tears. I could not image what was wrong. I thought maybe he got trampled on his way out or something. He finally said "it's too long". I said what is too long. He said "this day was too long and I missed you". How sad is that! It was all I could do not to break down and cry. I was sure that I was going to have to fight him to go again today, but he put on his brave face and went. We will see how this afternoon goes.

Busy

I am still alive, I have just not had a lot of time to blog lately. When I started blogging I promised myself that I would not let it take time away from my family. I had the intentions to blog after the kids were in bed, but since it is summer I let them stay up later and by the time they are in bed I am too tired to blog. School starts next week so I will be better about it then. I survived youth conference last week and actually had a great time. I missed my kids but they were great and barely missed me. Thanks to their Grandma's for watching them so that I could go. I can hardly believe that summer is coming to an end. I feel like we haven't done all of the things we have wanted to. I guess we will be trying to fit it all in this last week before school starts.

A fun day at Moss Ledge

Tallon and Mia
Calleb and Connor (no they didn't plan their matching outfits)
Abbie and Calleb climbing on the rocks.

Russ, Aaron and Heather enjoying some grub.

Marshall is practicing his climbing skills for the next time he wants to climb on the countertops or on top of the fridge.

A few weeks ago we took out good friends the Simpson's to one of our favorite places. It is called Moss Ledge. It is a picnic area up Big Cottonwood Canyon. We usually go there a few times during the summer. We barbequed hamburgers and hot dogs and let the kids make smores. They had so much fun. They played in the stream close to our picnic spot and climbed on the rocks. They were filthy when it was time to go, at least they had fun. Thanks for going with us Simpson family we are so blessed to have such great friends.

The Dog Days of Summer

The kids have been out of school for two weeks today. I feel like I am already going to lose my mind trying to entertain them all day everyday. We have done something somewhat fun just about everyday. However, it seems like that only takes up a few hours and then I am trying to find more ways to keep them entertained without the T.V. or the Wii. We made a list of fun things to do at the begining of the summer, most of them involve spending money which is okay once or twice a week but not daily. Does anyone have any ideas of how to keep the kiddos entertained? This picture is something we did a while back when we were bored, we made the letters of the alphabet with our bodies and took pics. That was fun.

Angelle

Thank goodness for this girl, she gives me a little female company every other weekend. She makes me feel so old. Russ and I got married when she was 4 and now her sweet 16 is quickly approaching. Even though I never envisioned myself as a step mom, it is a role that I cherish. Thanks Angelle for the shopping trips, the long chats, your help with your brothers and for your sweetness. You are more than my daughter, you are my friend.
Labels: Kids

My Guys

So 15 years ago if you would have told me that I would be a Mom of all boys I would have said there is no way. For some reason I was blessed to be the Mom of these three handsome guys. I am definetly not a prissy lady, I don't mind squishing spiders, getting dirty and I don't spend hours on my hair and make up. I think I fit right in with these boys...most of the time.