Dino Park

The kids and I had a fun day today.

We have been talking about going to the Dinosaur Park (in Ogden) for awhile,

and finally made plans to go. Unfortunately our friends that were going to go with us, got sick and couldn't come, but there was no way the kids were going to wait for another day.

The weather was perfect-sun/clouds and low 60's! These were robotic dinosaurs. They were REALLY cool.

It even captured Ash's attention.

I was amazed at how realistic and "in action" these dino's looked.
Ame taking a "sneak peek" at this one's bones.
Ash loved climbing on all the reptiles

I don't know a lot of the dinosaur names (except for the common ones)

But I do remember this ones name is GIGANTOSAURUS

There were lots of caves and bones to explore inside

This is typical of most pictures I capture...

Ame posing and Kaipo always in action & never looking at the camera

Ame wanted to be like lazy (no make-up and a hat) mommy today,

and sport the side braid

What a fun filled day exploring with my kids!

Doesn't get much better than that...

only if daddy were with us!

Good Family Times

Saturday was a fun day. We had a BBQ and then we had an easter egg hunt with all the cousins, in QUinn's family. Of course the hunt itself only last maybe a couple of minutes, but there is more prep time put into it. The parents each brought 10 or more filled eggs/per kid and then the older cousins hid them, for the younger ones. Some of the eggs were even filled with money!
When Ame got to her cousins house (on the left) and saw they were wearing their easter dresses, she was begging me to go ALL THE WAY home and get hers. Of course that didn't happen, so luckily they had some extras for her to get all dressed up in!

I would like to say this is OUR kids playing on this play set, but its not.
The EASTER BUNNY brought this swing set to our house. Unfortunately he didn't assemble it, so it is sitting in 3 VERY LARGE boxes in our garage. Hopefully daddy can find the time, energy and help to get it set up sometime soon! It will be SOO nice AND convenient to have this in the backyard to entertain the kids all summer!!!

Easter moring breakfast...CANDY!

Ash loves his little golf club

Ame is showing off the candy lipgloss she got

Unforunately we were running late (as usual-no matter how far in advance I start getting EVERYONE ready is always seems to end up this way) so we didn't get very good pictures before church

Here's my boys in blue & yellow

and me and my girl

Hope you had a happy and enjoyable Easter.

And as Ame so sweetly said...

(my mom just reminded us of this remark

Ame made a few years ago)

that Jesus always lives in our hearts

Easter Fun and a Few more Teeth

Ame had an easter party @ preschool today and they made these fun easter baskets.

Her bunny lost one of its eyes! And Ash is getting some more pearly whites on top!

A Big cheesy smile
Not like the last time mom tried to capture a picture of the 1st baby teeth

This Girl is Beat!

Being the activities chair is soo rewarding, yet soooo stressful! I have an awesome committee, but the details, organization, and decision making of each activity falls on me. We had our ward annual Birthday Party last night, and from what I heard it was a huge success. We had somewhere close to 200 people attend. We had a spaghetti dinner, which we made of course, but it was pretty simple to prepare...just A LOT of noodles to cook. We also provided salad and ice cream. Ward members brought rolls/breadsticks and cakes. We had a cake decorating contest for the brave few who made FUN cakes. After dinner we had several activities that we organized:
1. a guy in our ward is awesome @ balloon animals and the line was long all night for that
2. we originally were going to do face painting, but tattoos were MUCH easier & way less of a mess
3. a golf putting game, that quinn started last year and it was such a hit, we did it again
4. musical chairs
5. a get to know you activity

Quinn had to teach last night (luckily he let his class out early so he could be there to help me for some of the night), plus during the 2 hours prior to the party, with decorating and set-up I had all 3 kids. Luckily I had a few young women take charge of Kaipo and Ame during the party, but still my stress level was quite high from about 4-8pm.
The night seemed to go as smooth as possible, but I am glad it is over. One of the biggest things I don't like about my calling is I never really get to ENJOY the activities and hang out with the member, cuz it is always go-go-go, to make sure everything falls into place, from set-up to clean-up. I have been in this calling for a year now, and have actually started to enjoy it...easy to say just AFTER a big activity is over. It has helped me get to know the ward members better and I have really grown to appreciate those we put such hard work into various activities for the ward.
Ironically-The 1st counselor came up to me, last night, and said he needed to meet with quinn and I. What does that mean? Am I getting released? I would actually have real mixed feelings about that. We will see...
I am sure anyone reading this didn't need quite so much detail of my ward activity, sorry! Just writing this post made me tired all over again! ANd of course I didn't get one picture...I am SOO bummed!

Feeling Green?

Well I have been trying to make things fun for St. Patrick's Day,

so we have been eating green. We actually had our GREEN dinner last night,

because QUinn teaches tonight. I didn't think of getting a picture until the meal was over.

This was our menu of green:

mashed potatoes, soy beans, broccoli, stuffed steak-with green sauce, lime aid,

and for dessert:

mint brownies and mint ice cream.

For breakfast this morning the kids got:

green eggs (didn't know how to do green ham), grapes, cinnamon toast with green honey,
and green white grape juice.

So maybe mom got a little carried away with coloring EVERYTHING green.
But Ame and Kaipo LOVED the whole green theme.
QUinn thought it was a little wierd. I do have to admit it is totally all in your head.
It was definitely wierd to look at, but everything tasted just as good!
And it was fun!
I don't know how much creative I will get today, maybe I am done

spring flowers

Last fall, I followed in my moms footstep, when she bought some tulip bulbs. I got them home, excited... but nervous, and planted a bunch around in my 3 flower beds in the front of our house. I am VERY clueless when it comes to plants and what to do with them.

But I dug away, buried and watered.

Now that spring is just around the corner I have been wondering if I DID IT RIGHT, last Fall. Well a few days ago Ame was outside and came running in the house, VERY excited to tell the news...Moms plants were beginning to bud!

I don't really know what else I am going to do in all these flower beds, but I have been researching some websites my neighbor gave me and seeing what I like, what I think looks good and prices. Hopefully I can get a clue about all this plant "stuff". I am just feeling overwhelmed since this is the first time I have done it from the beginning stages.

Any suggestions from the "pros" out there, feel free to give me some advice.

PLEASE!**Another spring addition**

I am very amateur (at best) with crafts.

But I was at Michael's the other day and saw lots of

really cute wreaths displayed on their wall.

Unfortunately they were all like $40+. Not within my decorating budget!

So I thought to myself, those can't be that hard to make, can they?

Well, this was my meager attempt at a Spring Wreath.
As I look at it, I see where I may make some adjustments/additions...

But for now, this was a pretty simple project (even for someone like me),

for around $10!

a yummy find

Either I have had a lot more time on my hands (which I don't think is the case) or I have

just had more to share recently, cuz this is the most I have blogged in one week, EVER!

QUinn found the Marie Callender's Frozen Pies on sale, 2 for 1, at the gorcery store,

so he grabbed these two. On the right is key lime, always a favorite of mine (and Ame).

On the left is razzleberry satin. Now I really like the razzleberry hot pie,

but this one is an awesome twist on that yummy berry pie.

Quinn really dug this one! As did I!!

I don't think either of these will be around much longer @ our house.

So if you are looking for a new yummy treat, this one is definitely worth trying!!

more "growth" changes

So here are the new changes inside our car.

The carseat in the middle was actually Ame's, then was passed to Kaipo.

Having been through 2 kids it was well worn, but instead of buying a NEW one,

I found this cover for it that made it just like new anyway.

Plus the material/pattern I thought was WAY cute!

It is a few weeks early, but Ash is tall enough and weighs enough now

that we decided to make him a front facing man.

Another big milestone, for our little boy! Here is the first ride, in their NEW seats (for the boys anyway).

A happy backseat of kids!

Kaipo used ot ride in the 3rd row, (for protection of the baby) and

plus putting a baby carseat in and out of the middle was too hard

with him in the 2nd row too.

Now with the easier to move outer carseats, we have flexibility

as to where Kaipo (or Ame) get to ride.

But this is what we tried today

I am a bit nervous about Kaipo being in this kind of carseat.

In the other one he would always unbuckle himself, while driving.

Maybe this big boy chair will make him ACT like a big boy!

picnic @ the park

Spring is in the air...

It was such a beatiful day today, even at 10 in the morning,

that I could not pass up the opportunity to enjoy being outside!

So I thought it would be fun to pack a lunch & then after we

picked up Ame (and our neighbor Garritt) from school ,

we could all stop at the park for a picnic lunch & some time to run in the sun!

Baby Ash LOVED being outside and in the swing!

As much as he loved reaching for the phone as I was taking pictures!

gotta love the up close shots that capture the snot dripping out of the nose!

Boy, am I having spring fever, flip flops and all!!

family fun

We took the kids to the Fun Center on Saturday, to go bowling.

While we were waiting for a lane to open up we hit the arcade.

Quinn played a few rounds of pac man, the kids played a few games that they

didn't really know what to do with, but won "tickets" so that is all that mattered (for those super cool prizes you can get...not really unless you have like 100 tickets,

but they were somewhat content with the piece of candy they each got).

Once we finally made it to the lane,

Ame tried a few different styles of bowling-with some help...

and all on her own. These ones were funny.

Quinn wanted to film it to see just how slow the ball really did roll.

But she sure tried hard. Way to go girl!!

Kaipo gave a little effort, a few times and then was done.

The arcade was WAY more exciting to him.

And here's the pro, to show us all how it is done!

Then on the way home we picked up dinner.
It is never to hard for the kids to decide what to take home...
PIZZA!
Good..Fun..Family Time!

birthday pics

During some time off yesterday, QUinn went with me to get the boys birthday pictures taken.

I figured kill two birds with one stone, and get them both done at the same time, especially since QUinn could come and provide some extra support (and hands).

The picture taking was somewhat oppposite as what I imagined it to be.

Kaipo was VERY easy!

And we had several pics to choose from...

this was the unanimous choice between Quinn and I.

Ash was a little more of a challenge.

Probably because they try and make him do too many weird poses,

and take way too long trying to get them to be un-natural.

Lets just say, it doesn't take very much to be a

Professional Photographer @ Kiddie Kandid.

But doesn't our little man look soo cute & grown up?!

taken for granted

I (the whole family actually) definitely took these past several months for granted,

when QUinn wasn't working a full-time job. I know I will feel no sympathy from most people, whose husbands work a normal full-time job, but these past few weeks have been tough!

Quinn got a new job as a progress mentor at Western Governors University. He has to commute for the next 3 months to SLC, and then after that he can work from home or wherever he likes. Plus in a week he is starting to teach 2 more classes,

which means he will be gone 4 nights a week, on top of his full time job!

I got so used to having QUInn around and the convenience that was for everyday life. Now I am experiences being a full-time mom, in full-force! But it is all worth it, because (most importantly)QUinn has found something he REALLY enjoys and once the 3 month training process is over,

he will have freedom again to work from home and still be able to spend time with us too!

what an angel

Quinn didn't have to leave for work until 9am this morning,

so Mommy got to sleep in a bit (7:30). Which worked out well cuz I have been feeling a bit under the weather with a sinus cold. I was awakened by this little angel bringing me breakfast in bed! All by herself, she made me a delicious bowl of cereal (one of my favorites-maple & brown sugar shredded wheat), and of course a card accompanied my breakfast.

Ame is the queen of card making. She makes cards for everyone, for everything!

She loves doing this kind gesture ALL the time!

Ame is so thoughtful and is always thinking of others!

I love you sweetgirl. You made by day of feeling yucky, soo much better!

ps. the above picture looks a little more like me now...as I have gone back blonde

Close???

I think we are close to another milestone in our family, with our (not so baby) Ash. He is actually using his walker now and cruizes all over the room. He pulls himself up everywhere too! His favorite place is in front of the fridge, where all the leapfrog letters are and just drop them ALL on the floor. Not a favorite for mom.

Will he be cruizing solo by the time he is one? We will see...

Tomorrow is birthday picture day at Kiddie Kandid for the 2 boys.

Any creative ideas?

Throw me some ideas if you have any, PLEASE!

I just hope their runny noses stop b4 then,

or they may be looking like rudolph with their noses soo bright (red) from the constant wiping

I'm a BIG Boy

Pardon the boy in his underwear, but WE are pretty excited to be wearing them AND keeping them dry! Kaipo has grown up SOO much to me in the past week, mostly due to becoming a BIG boy and using the potty. He does both #1 AND #2 successfully in the toilet. He still wakes up wet after a good night sleep, but wakes up dry when he takes a nap! We struggled with the night time wetness with Ame for quite a while, so I think that may continue with Kaipo, but we will see! I am just happy with the daytime success and am soo proud of Kaipo.

Way to go my handsome boy! Kaipo is shouting...I'm a BIG BOY !!!

(with his sword in hand, of course...he never lets that thing go)

so much emotion and gratitude!

This past weekend has been filled with emotion of ALL kinds. Mostly happiness and gratitude! Saturday and Sunday was a special time for this little girl AND her parents. I can't believe it has already been 6 months and how much Kaiya has changed.

**Isn't she a precious little angel**

I was thankful to be able to share in this special time with my sister, her husband

and their little miracle. The Lord has truly blessed this little family. I am just amazed at how the Lord works and how perfect His plan really is. He know soo much more than we do and I can't imagine Kaiya NOT being where she is now. It is the perfect place for her.

She is sooo blessed and lucky to have the incredible parents she has,

and I know they feel the same way about her!

Switching directions a bit..........

Occassions like the ones I have been blessed to be apart this past weekend,

remind ME just how much I have been blessed with, as well.

Much more than I feel worthy of!

Like this little guy

This was my family a little over a year ago. It is amazing what a year does!

Now my baby Ash is almost one,

and my other not so little boy is 3 (and do VERY well with potty training I might add)!

3 pretty special girls

I don't even want to begin to talk about what is happening at the end of this week...
because that will begin another flowing river of tears!

But I am going to miss special moments like this one



and this one!

I just feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all that I have been blessed with.

I am thankful for this weekend and the reminders it has given me.

I hope I can show my appreciation more, to those who mean so much to me!

What WE have been doing this week...

After 2 failed attempts, the 3rd time seems to be the charm. About 6 months ago we tried for the first time, but it was a battle that I WASN'T winning, so a few months later we TRIED again and our little guy just wasn't ready, so...I decided after his birthday that WE would try potty training AGAIN. (I don't remember Ame being this difficult, but I guess that was over 3 years ago) The first couple of days this week were rough, but Kaipo has sure

grown up quickly and decided he wants to be a BIG BOY. Today was the first day he had NO accidents and went Shi-Shi (Pee) in the toilet each time he sat and tried. He still doesn't TELL me when he has to go, but at least he is doing his thing in

the RIGHT place.
The FIRST time he actually went in the toilet I praised him sooo much and Kaipo felt soo proud.
I think doing THAT and little incentives have really worked well with him. And of course the fact that he LOVES to flush the toilet.
Hopefully tomorrow brings as much success as today!
Way to go BIG BOY

a simple fix

Ame got this pair of jeans last year, at one of my favorite stores... Kid to Kid. After one or two wears they got a big rip in the knee and I decided I could either cut them off OR do this.

Ame was very opinionated as to where the patches should go. Of course one had to go over the other rip in the knee and she wanted the other patch on the other knee. Makes sense I guess. But mom decided it looked a little better this way. She likes the finished product, and now we have another pair of jeans to wear for a while, and it was such a simple fix!

Bitter Sweet

Last night was such a bitter-sweet moment, as my parents got set apart for their mission in India. So much mixed emotion felt by all! Prior to the actual setting apart, the stake presidency and Bishop each made comments & gave advice to my parents. I was so impressed and grateful for the wonderful, loving & generous things they said about my parents. I was grateful to hear others share and show appreciation for so many things that I have always admired and respected about my parents. It was a very moving experience to have my brothers, Chris and Quinn also be able to assist in the setting apart. My parents commented later that evening how they so appreciated that experience and had NEVER felt the spirit soo strongly in a setting apart before.

What a special opportunity for them to begin their mission with.

They are, as I type this, at the MTC beginning their training and preparation for the REAL THING. LUckily we have not had to say our good-bye's yet, since we will get to see them at Kaiya's sealing & blessing and then for a couple of days b4 they fly out they get to come home! Boy those senior missionaries sure have it rough, huh?

I am so excited to share in this experience with my parents, and to help my children appreciate what they are doing as well. We are all going to learn and grow throughout these next 2 years, in soo many ways. I am sad for the things my parents will miss in our everyday lives, especially events with our children, but life will go on and we will share with one another in different ways, for the next little while. I am so proud of the amazing examples my parents are to me, my family and all those whom they come in contact with. They radiate the light of christ, through their lives of service and dedication to the Lord, and for that they will be blessed as they serve.

I Love You mom and dad.

God Be With YOU 'Til WE Meet Again