an afternoon at Bonnie Springs...

We have lived here for 10 months and had no idea that just a few miles down the road is "Old Nevada" or Bonnie Springs. It is an awesome little old town preserved from the 1880's with a post office, bank, mining, a petting zoo, train, restaurant, etc. What a fun day we had! The kids loved the "real life hanging".. but I was more into the turtle lake, swans, and pony rides.

Kelly or Dana, have you been here?

Picasso or Rembrandt?

All we do in this house is paint, color and draw. And every once in a while we read a book. We send a few pictures to the grandparents, but the majority of it goes in the garbage. I know, it's really terrible. But if I saved everything they did, my house would be piled with papers, and I just can't handle it anymore!! Can you tell I am going a little crazy?Homeschooling is really great for a lot of reasons, but I love that Zack thinks he is a part of everything. Ben and Luke have always enjoyed art, but little Zack is OBSESSED. Seriously, he starts shaking and freaking out if he sees a marker that he can't reach (or can't have--like, we're in public and it's someone else's.. talk about tantrums!) But I think all of his time at "the art desk" is paying off. Zack has talent for a 20 month old, if I do say so myself. He is very thorough and organized about what he does. These are just a couple from yesterday...(mind you, at least 10 others were thrown away.)

Now, I don't really want to brag about a page full of scribbles, but the kid knows what he's doing! He uses different colors and makes sure to balance the page. He's very excited about making circles lately and I am in awe of what he can do already. I am not, however, proud of the art on my walls.. Ugh. Magic erasers are a must-have in this house!

And since I told you about my homemade birthday cards, I thought I would show you a couple...

Ben double layers a lot of his artwork.. he cut out the top part of the first page, so he didn't have to write 'mom' twice (very efficient.) It's says "happy birthday mom" inside the card.

Luke is very aware that everything pink and girly is dedicated to me... rainbows, hearts, flowers, etc. I am so spoiled being the only girl!

lunch date

We went to Aaron's office for the first time. We surprised him with his fancy diploma (finally framed)...

Luke was afraid he would get trapped in the revolving door...
Then we had lunch at a park nearby. The weather is absolutely beautiful here! Yep, still wearing shorts and sandals.

Just advertising my fav fast food.

100th Post!

One HUNDRED things I don't want to live without!

♥Aaron ♥ Ben ♥ Luke ♥ Zack ♥ temples ♥ my parents ♥ siblings (no, I won’t name them all) ♥ in-laws ♥ prayer ♥ homemade bread ♥ bubble baths ♥ Café Rio ♥ FHE ♥ instant friends ♥ scrapbooking ♥ homeschool ♥ the sunrise ♥ Vail, Colorado ♥ girls camp ♥ college roommates ♥ giggling ♥ mint chocolate chip icecream ♥ minivans ♥ Hawaii ♥ meaningful conversations with other women ♥ rollercoasters ♥ my camera ♥ dressing up for Halloween ♥ trick or treating (I mean, CANDY, actually) ♥ playgrounds ♥ camping ♥ rainstorms ♥ exercise ♥ snorkeling ♥ laying out by the pool ♥ BOOKS! ♥ breathtaking artwork ♥ BBQs ♥ Sundays ♥ warm summer days ♥ fall leaves ♥ Christmas ♥ road trips ♥ board games ♥ Ricks College ♥ Sconecutter ♥ sports ♥ dessert ♥ baking ♥ encyclopedias ♥ BYU ♥ kisses ♥ old musicals ♥ being a stay-at-home mom ♥ General Conference ♥ toothbrushes ♥ Easter egg hunts ♥ fresh garden vegetables ♥ pb&j sandwiches ♥ romantic movies ♥ magic erasers ♥ weddings ♥ hiking ♥ the Priesthood ♥ freckles ♥ hot chocolate ♥ flowers ♥ a good cry ♥ rainbows ♥ graduations! ♥ snow cones ♥ candles ♥ bike rides ♥ a phone call from an old friend ♥ running water ♥ a new outfit ♥ skiing ♥ Valentine's Day ♥ learning new things ♥ a clean house ♥ The Office ♥ boating ♥ to do lists ♥ ghost stories ♥ Thanksgiving ♥ spell check ♥ the drive-in ♥ birthday parties ♥ river rafting ♥ vacation ♥ warm cookies ♥ email ♥ mountains ♥ missionary work ♥ starry nights ♥ hugs ♥ newborn babies ♥ my testimony ♥ motherhood ♥ blogging ♥

Thanks for the idea, Tristie!

twenty-eight

So, it was my birthday yesterday.. if you didn't know, you must have missed Val's tribute on her blog.. (so nice, by the way!) Can I just say that 28 is WAY better than I ever expected! I had no idea I would feel this mature and wise. In all honesty, it was a fantastic day.. my best birthday yet. I hate to bore you with all the details, but I just don't have time to blog and write in a journal... so here we go.

Before our trip to Hawaii, Aaron booked a surprise trip to Florida for my birthday. It was so thoughtful and sweet. (He is the best at gifts.. he takes birthdays and Christmas seriously and I love that about him.) So, until 3 days ago, Aaron and I were headed to the Key West, without our kids. While discussing our trip with the boys, their feelings were hurt that we were leaving for my birthday. They really didn't want us to go-- and as much as I felt like saying, "You'll never remember it anyway." I felt bad after leaving them for 9 days in August. So, we canceled the trip and were able to get a full refund (I married a talented man.)

Aaron was super bummed that we didn't go, and that we had nothing planned for the big day, but let me tell you... it was just what the doctor ordered. Our boys were SOOO excited about my birthday, I honestly felt like it was Christmas. They were counting down the days and night before Ben said, "Mom, I am so excited about tomorrow, I just don't think I can sleep!" First thing in the morning, I hear the pitter-patter of little feet running out of bed and as Ben was coming downstairs, he's singing, "Today is your birthday, shout HOORAY!" (primary song) All day, they were saying things like, "You're the best mom ever!" "I can't Believe you're 28!" and "Today is like my coolest, favorite day!" They even sent me around the house with arrows and clues pointing me to hand written notes, cut out hearts and homemade birthday signs. Luke made my bed especially for me, with toys and hearts hidden under my pillows. And this is all before 8 am.

Aaron worked a few hours in the morning, but sent an email with the first clue of a treasure hunt. I thought this was more for the boys than for me... but when I say I married a talented, thoughtful man, I mean it. He had rhymed the entire thing, and sent us searching for 45 minutes for the "hidden treasure." Seriously, I had to call him twice to give us hints because we couldn't figure it out! It was so sweet! Ben and Luke were screaming every time we found a new clue and I was laughing so hard at their reactions. We went everywhere from under the sinks, to our backyard, to the car, and even in my underwear drawer.. (side note.. we thought a clue was telling us to look 'under a chair' when in fact it was 'underwear.' After searching under every chair in the entire house, I suggested that maybe it was underwear... Ben laughs, looks and then says, "It's definitely not in mine!" and Luke follows with "Even not in mine!" Too funny.) Around 10 am we found a beautiful ipod tucked inside Aaron's slipper. I love my husband, can you tell?We met Aaron for lunch, ran a few errands and came home for a nap. For FHE, we went on a hike close to our home. The weather was perfect and the sunset beautiful.This was taken just minutes before Ben said, "These rocks are making the pattern of Cassiopeia!" I guess our star-studies paid off.We came home to delicious chicken fajitas and homemade ice cream and cake. What can top that? Only sparklers, of course. We use fireworks for any special occasion.. and turning 28 definitely qualifies.
Thanks to all who made it a special day... I came home to 18 birthday messages and just wasn't able to return the calls! Out of all the people I love (which is many) I realized yesterday how important my 4 boys are to me. I am so thankful for my little family...being a good wife and mother is all that matters to me! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world!

Evan and Hailey

Scott and Amy came to visit last weekend, and I just wanted to post a couple of pictures of their cute kids. My boys get so excited when cousins come to play (and I love having visitors too!)They are big U fans and came for the football game against UNLV... too bad Utah didn't score (kind of :)
At the natural history museum.. our routine trip.. (but new for Evan!)
I love all my sisters in law... my brothers picked out the best of the best..

inSAniTy

Aaron and I are nursery leaders in our church, but you would NOT believe what we do each Sunday, until you see it for yourselves! Luckily, my brother Scott and his wife Amy were visiting this weekend and were able to take pictures (and help us out, of course.) We needed their helping hands because we had 17 crazy kids!!Some people may feel like they are babysitting in nursery...but I really do love it. We get to take off our shoes, eat snacks and play with toys. I will take that over Sunday school any day. We love our kiddos too!

Happy Birthday Francine!!

Francine is not just any friend.. We have known each other our entire lives!! We have been best friends since Kindergarten, but we were actually born at the same hospital.. only 3 days apart. We both had jaundice and figure we were laying next to each other as newborns.. we were meant to be!

Almost every picture (or memory) I have growing up includes Francine in it. Skiing lessons, sleepovers, YW, sharing lockers, classes together... Girls camp was a blast with her... and I loved that she packed everything you could think of. Even now, when we're out with our kids, if I every need anything, Fran has it in her purse! What a blessing it is for me to have a friend like her! She is artistic, strong, beautiful and has a contagious laugh! She is so thoughtful and so much fun to be around.

Hope you have a happy, happy birthday! It's so rewarding to have a friend like you. I love seeing you with your sweet husband and beautiful girls! You are such a wonderful friend, wife and mother. Can't wait to see you in October!

mom and pop

My parents came into town for a short trip... one day was just not enough time, but we'll take what we can get. We had a lot of fun and wore the kids out... then got a babysitter in the evening and hit the town. We went to dinner at Planet Hollywood, saw the water show at the Bellagio and won a ton of money at the craps table. not really.

girls night out

Girls in Vegas know how to have a good time. A few friends from the ward (which turned out to be a group of 30) decided to get together for a girls night out. We spent all night eating, chatting and playing games. I wish I had a better picture of the group, because this is only a few of the beautiful ladies.. next time. We will have to switch houses each time because I know the neighbors hated us. Around 11 pm we started an intense game of Mafia... a game I haven't played since HS.. and we finally decided to stop around 2 am. I haven't laughed that hard since our dinnertable conversation.. it was seriously a blast.

Not my favorite day...

I usually like Tuesdays. Ben and Luke have a playgroup in the afternoon, so I like to get out and run errands with only Zack in tow. But today Luke didn't want to go to the playgroup. Don't ask me why he would rather run errands with me, but I think I made the mistake of saying that Zack and I were going to hit the library. Anyway, we couldn't convince Luke to stay and play with the kids... so he joined us on our errand run. We went to the library for about an hour (thanks to Luke and his 20+ books he needed.) Then I wanted to run into Kohl's for a quick return. I told Luke as we were walking in that I needed to exchange one shirt and then we were headed out. I took about 10 steps into the store and found what I needed and said to Luke, "Okay.. let's go." As I stepped up to the cash register, with Zack in my arms, I couldn't see Luke anywhere. We had been in the store a total of 2 minutes, and I lost him already. Sometimes he likes to hide in the clothes racks, but that is usually only when he is playing with Ben. I retraced my 20 steps, looked under the racks for little legs, but no sign of Luke. I called out his name, probably loud enough for half of the store to hear, checked the dressing rooms and then started to panic. I checked outside (we were right by the entrance door) hoping not to see him getting carried off with a stranger, but there was no one in sight. So, Zack and I returned to the search. I couldn't believe he would run off somewhere because if you know Luke, he is mellow, pretty well-behaved and frankly slow. Ben calls him 'the tortoise' cause he's always behind. After 10 minutes (which felt more like 40,) I was really freaking out and started shaking. Just as I was about to alert the store to announce a lost boy, I look out the window towards my van and saw something move in the back. I thought I was losing it and figured I had imagined the slight movement, but I went outside anyway to check. My van was locked except for Luke's door. He must've manually unlocked his door after I powerlocked it.. sometimes he does that (because he's slow and didn't get out in time.) As I opened his door, he popped out from the back seat and says, "Boo!" I was almost hysterical. Seriously, I don't really yell at my kids, but Luke was in so much trouble. When I asked him why in the world he would go outside by himself and hide in the back of the car, he responded, "Well, you said it was time to go and I wanted to surprise you." I guess I should be grateful he's okay and that I still get to see his cute face everyday... but I am not that forgiving. Maybe tomorrow I will be over it. Isn't being a mom so exhausting? Ugh. I want to go back to Hawaii.

Crazy busy weekend

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down..

Not really, but we had a great weekend and it went by too quickly. I had my camera the whole time.. with nothing to show for it. Ben started painting classes and had his first lesson on Saturday morning (the pictures would have been cute.. maybe next time.) After his class, we met our favorite Montanans, Del and Nicole Post, for lunch downtown. We LoVe them and wish we lived closer... but not enough to move up north. After lunch, we came home only to throw some things together for a BBQ with law school friends (now all attorney friends.) We were all once in Spokane and now practicing here in Vegas. It was so much fun to see everyone and we will definitely get together more often! Wish I would have pulled out my camera.. dang it!
On Sunday Aaron and I spoke in church, with some help from our boys. I always appreciate speaking or teaching, mainly for the preparation, not necessarily the delivery. After church (and a long sabbath nap) we headed to the park for a cool evening of fun. Again, no pictures to show for it. But it was so nice to spend all evening out together. Another week gone. Where does the time fly? I am not ready for summer to be over...and thankfully, it will still be in the high 80's this week. Vegas is good to us.

Shin guards are highly recommended

Ben and Luke started soccer this week. It's been fun, except for the fact that Zack thinks he belongs on the field with the rest of the kids.Stretching out in the shade

Taking a water break!

Zack needed one too! This face is: "Oh, Dang.. I spilled on my shirt, again."
Keeping Zack occupied, but it didn't last long
The coach was so nice to give Zack some one-on-one time after practice.Mommy and Zack cheering on the sidelines