Birthday Bash

My husband and kids hard at work making cupcakes

That looks a tad dangerous.....

Some not so happy because he wanted to do more 'helping'

Dinner at the fabulous, luxurious..................................MCDONALDS!

So here's the story before you freak out that my husband must surely hate me for taking me here on my birthday. 

We wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse, after making the cupcakes, it was 6 pm. We got there, 30 minute wait......that was just for the table. I was not interested in waiting another 30 minutes after that for our food, trying to wrangle my kids to sit down, stop throwing things, give back the crayon, leave the food on the floor - we don't eat that, quit staring at the other tables behind us, and the list goes on. So we left the parking lot and Jeff suggested McDonald's to which my question was 'Does it have a playland?!' yes. Then let's go there. The kids can play, we can eat and get dessert before we would have ever been seated at a table at Texas Roadhouse.

So there you have it. I honestly don't mind and we had a great family birthday party - there were no tears, no fighting, no whining about not liking the food and the kids were free to roam. What more could I ask for?!

More birthday fun at home:

  My card from Lucas and Jeff

Happy birthday to me - another year older and wiser too. 33 - seriously where did the time go??

Primary mash-up

Abbey is quite the singer - she loves to sing along to the cds or radio in the car and knows most of the words. She sang, I think the loudest, during the Easter song the Primary children sang in church back in April. Maybe it's because I know her voice, maybe it was because she was on the front row, but with 50+ kids, you'd think you wouldn't be able to pick out one little voice. :)

The other day she was singing 'The Lord gave me a Temple' - this song was from last year and she wasn't even in Primary yet to sing it. We listened to the Primary cd every time in the car til October (we got it in January...) when it finally gave up and quit working. 

The line: 'The Lord gave me a Temple, to live within on earth. Once in heaven I was spirit, but I left my home at birth......'

Abbey version: "The Lord gave me a Temple, to live within on earth (so far, so good). Once in heaven I was spirit, but I left my mom at work!!!" (so close!)

My other favorite (she's now learned the correct way): Book of Mormon Stories, last line:

"Given this land, if I live righteously."

Abbey way: 'Given this land, if I live right-eous-me' 

 She cracks me up!

T-ball - go Braves!

At baseball, we do whatever it takes to entertain those who aren't playing. There used to be a playground......someone, somewhere thought it would be a good idea to take it out...........WRONG.

Laveen Youth - Atlanta Braves

 Coach Farris

Tristan, Luke, Jared, Lucas, Stephen, Mason

Perrin, Jack, Devin, Mia,Marcella, Ammon, MacKenzie

(and there were at least 5 more kids not there - it was a big team)

 Dog-pile on coach!

 Future MLB

 Quite the slugger

 He SCORES!!

 Are we ready for the ball????

 Oh there we go - now we're ready.

 Wait, what?

 A little batting practice before he steps up to the plate another time

Running home - Run, Lucas, RUN!

Girls day out

 Found this little note outside - 'HAPPY B-DAY MOM' awww, sweet

 400+ pictures - we definitely NEED the new camera. :)

 HERE's the girls day out part - the above was just fun taking pictures.

 Lunch with Grandma Judy at Taco Bell after introducing her to the world of Hobby Lobby!!

Eye exam

If you've ever had an eye exam, then you know they put up images and flip these 'lenses' back and forth to see if you can tell the difference or if the images are the same. A, B, A, B - or the same. 1, 2, 1, 2 or the same. I'm hearing my eye doctor repeat that for me - thought you'd enjoy being privy to my thoughts.....

Anywho, since I had a birthday (shout HOORAY! - it was on the 20th, I accept late presents - haha!), and Jeff as much as he tries, struggles to buy me things, heck I struggle to by myself stuff, how can I expect him to be successful!? So this year, among my flowers from my daughter (and other children), mint oreos, mint m&m's and 12oz dr peppers - so yummy, I even shared - I think I grew up a little this past year.....he gave me two other gifts: a shopping trip to buy myself some new clothes - I have very little and I HATE shopping or a new camera - pick one, then I pulled the cute-'I'm the youngest' face and asked if I could do both...?? Sure, why not. Love my man!

Before I rushed out to buy a new expensive camera, I borrowed one from my person whom I miss dearly, Erin. 

Let's see if you can pass the eye exam and determine if I really NEED to get the big beautiful camera to take better and MORE  pictures of my family. :) I went around the house, the yard, dark rooms, everywhere to take pictures with both cameras taking similar pictures. I did NOT edit any of these photos.

Picture A:

 Picture B:

Picture 1: yes another set of 3 kittens born in our yard - at least the mom takes care of them - proof from the dead mouse and bird feathers too....ew.

Picture 2:

Picture C: Does he look bored or what taking pictures?? He was actually loving it.

 Picture D: cheese!

And a few more just for good measure: 

 Anyone think I need a new camera!? I do, I do!! I even carried it around all last weekend to see if I'd actually take it places. A smaller, compact camera definitely travels easier, but I don't mind.