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

It's Official!

Today Kaipo is three!
We had a little party with a few of his friends-we played pin the flag on the treasure chest and a bean bag toss into the pirate ship and pirate hat.

Then we brought out these tasty, nutricious, mid-morning treats.

We sang to the BIG boy...

and everyone enjoyed their cupcakes (yes, most had more than one)

One of the boys has a sister Ame's age,
so that made the BOY party much more fun for Ame.

Kaipo opened the few presents we had gotten him, this morning b4 QUinn left for work,
then I decided to take Kaipo to the store and let HIM pick out a toy of HIS choice.
We found this collection of toys and he chose this one.
It is quite cute and he seems to really dig it!

Then of course, this was HIS choice for lunch.

We hope YOU have had a HAPPY Birthday Kaipo.
You are one handsome, amazingly smart, one of a kind boy!
We Love YOU!!

Party Time

We had a big day yesterday for our little boy. Kaipo is almost 3 and we had the BIG, crazy family party, with both families. We fed about 40 people, so it is always quite an undertaking to plan for these get togethers.

Kaipo has been BIG into pirates lately, so that is the party theme we decided on.

The 10 kids had fun playing pirate games and going on a treasure hunt for prizes!

Here is Captain Kaipo, all suited up for his party

He got LOTS of fun gifts, but THIS one really captured his attention...
It was a Pirates of the Carribean music card. Of course it has since been destroyed,
but it was a VERY cool card!
I am really enjoying this age with Kaipo (minus the tantrums about EVERYTHING).
He is very easily entertained and has fun doing soo many different things!


And here is the captain's Pirate Ship Cake.

Mom CAN'T take credit for this one, unfortunately.
I wasn't feeling brave enough to attempt Kaipo's cake, but once I saw it
I realized how easy it actually would have been to make myself.

It was definitely worth all the work to put the party together,

when I saw Kaipo's excitement for it all!

I love you Buddie

We are having a little friend party ON his actual birthday. We invited his 3 buddies in the ward that are closest in age to him. It is just going to be very simple...a few games and cupcakes! But Kaipo will LOVE the idea of another party

We enjoyed making plates full of LOVE & sweetness

Ame and I always have fun making treats for whatever occasion we can think of. Kaipo actually helped with the cutting out of the cookies, but then we frosted and decorated while he was taking a nap, so we missed him in the picture taking.

This is the treat plate our neighbors got for Valentine's Day! We enjoyed sharing our love on this special occasion and we were even surprised with a few treats at our doorstep, as well.

Hope your Valentines Day was as SWEET as ours!

slow down please!

Baby Ash is showing some interest these days in more mobility, than just crawling. He really seems to enjoy standing (with assistance of course) and has been trying to pull himself up here and there. Quinn and I were talking the other day, and cannot even believe that Ame was walking by this age. I am glad our boys have decided to take it a bit slower! Although Ash likes to experiment with standing and trying to move his feet with the walker...

after several tumbles, he definitely feels safer in this position!

This past week Ash has also cut tooth #3.

I tried to get a picture of it, but he wasn't letting me do that, FOR SURE.

He is now growing in one of his lateral incisors, ( I had to look that one up),

which seemed wierd to me, to get the side one before the central incisor (middle).

But what do I know.

I just hope another one comes in, to balance his mouth out,

before his first year pictures, coming up in just a of couple months.

WHatever is IN his mouth, Ash is still our cutie pie for sure!

Another interesting thing about Ash and different from the other 2 is he really does NOT like baby food, no matter varieties I tried. I have struggled with trying to get him to eat for quite some time, felt like I was forcing him and trying to pry his mouth open to get anything in. Then I just decided to start giving him more finger foods and more of what WE were eating. That has made quite a positive difference in his desire to eat and WAY less stressful for mom.

Ash is such a joy to have in our home. We can't imagine life without him.

He just adores his siblings and thinks they are quite entertaining!

We Love You, Baby Ash

girl power!

Ame is very excited to be adding another girl cousin, to my side of the family.

She was feeling pretty lonely for a girl, for quite some time.

Now, in a matter of a year, she's gotten two!

She can't wait to have someone to play dress-ups and put make-up with.

Ame also thought it was pretty special she was one of the FIRSTS to get to see

baby Ella ( besides dad, mom and grandma watkins).

Ame is such a great older cousin to all the younger ones.

She is so patient, gentle and considerate.

I hope we get to stay close to as many of the cousins as we can

(for the kids sake especially),

I was sad I didn't have that more as a child.

An Amazing Man

President Gordon B. HinckleyQuinn was home teaching, with Ame, last night and I was just hanging out with my boys. The TV was on (as background noise) and all of a sudden breaking news came. The second they said his name I KNEW what they were going to say, but I was still soo suprised! I guess he has been a fighter, with his health and age, for soo many years that I just never expected him to EVER actually pass on. ALthough, I shed some tears and have had a VERY heavy heart, I KNOW he is soo happy to be reunited with his wife. I am so glad he had family by his side as he passed away and that he had time to say his good bye's there AND not be alone.

Pres. Hinckley has impacted MY life in so many ways and I have NOW taken the time to realize just how much he HAS influenced me. What an AMAZING MAN he is and what tremendous things he has done on the earth, in his time here. I appreciated all the news channels here, cutting into all the unimportant shows, to pay tribute to this Beloved Man.

THIS prophet will be one remembered forever... for his life, his service,

his love and all that he has done for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and The World!