S'mores

 I received this really cute pan for Christmas from the MIL, I started looking for all these plastic containers to bring out the s'more stuff and what do you know - this is PER-FECT!! 

We have some caramel/vanilla, plain, coconut marshmallows; chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips and andes mint chips. We do s'mores right!

 what's a fire without the gun show??

 A brief lesson on fire safety, marshmallow roasting technique, and 'oh yeah we forgot dinner'. It's time for the yumminess to begin!

 after we turned off the lights, sat by the fire, sang camp songs, talked about the pioneers, Nephi and his family - it was a special night. (we gotta do this s'more (haha!) often)

I'm bored

 Being a fun mom is exhausting and requires a LOT more clean up. On occasion I like to bring out my not so controlling side and let the kids (I like to craft and what not, but crafting is my quiet time - not to be shared time so it's hard for me to let my kids be creative......ironic no?) And they love it, so I need to just let them go more often. Plus they're all old enough to NOT eat stuff that isn't supposed to be eaten. Anyway, sidetracked - here's a day off from school

 It rained on a Saturday (I only know that because Jeff is in the pictures). So they put on their rain boots that have been wasting away outside in the hot, hot sun. You'll notice a progression of clothing - where we start with 'winter' clothes to t-shirts and no shoes/socks.

 JUMP!

 Hey look, when I jump, I splash Mo!

 Jeff and Lucas join the party - sorry if you're now blind from their WHITE legs - wowza.

 that one spot from the roof where the water drains alot

 just funny right?

 good times

Life according to the phone

 Cell phone pictures say so much about our day.....

 new vinyl for the front door - merry christmas from my sister

 I got one picture of Lea playing soccer

 dad watches the coolest things on his computer - a quiet Sunday afternoon and Mo in no clothes...

  a midnight trip to Urgent Care....

 the football player and his cute little cheerleader

 who knows - she took the picture this way. :)

 Bond. James Bond.

 Look what I wasn't hiding behind my back mommy?? Batteries!

 how we watch tv

 and pick up the kids from school

 and our stylish clothing choices

 word.

 a soft place to land for a nap

 now this one came from my sister - her daughter was using graph paper for school and came across this little gem I created probably in high school. My name, my sister-in-law and then my brother's name. Thankfully there were no boy names on there that I had a crush on....I was a little nervous to zoom in and read the names. :)

 another visit to urgent care - this time at 2 am

 no wall is too big for this kid

Cabellas Santa Wonderland and free Carousal

 This was the last day for the crib.....

so there you have it about - 6 months in 24 pictures and one old picture of Mo with curly hair. :)

Mo-sure

If I haven't ever said it, my 2 year old is hilarious! Mo-sure! (okay sorry that was lame, but still worth a half-smile)

A new friend at volleyball asked Ammon: What's your name?
 I'n Mo-Mo. (giggles)

In the car:
Mommy, I got it - I got a wittle moco. (a booger)
me: Oh, yummy.
It's not yummy, it's yucky.

After most everything he eats or drinks: It's dehwicious!

On occasion he'll walk up to me and say:
I've got nothing behind me. See? See?
me: What's behind you Mo?
Nothing, see? (switches hands behind his back) See?

This was from today:
me: Mo are you poopy? (totally stinks)
No (giggles) I'n not.
Who changed you?
Daddy! (more giggles)
Daddy's in Florida, are you tricking me?
NO (more giggles)

my hands are cuL-ean! (he adds emphasis to all the L's) Love that kid!

A future artist

 Lucas came home with the following illustrations:

 Before he had drawn himself in 2033, I told him he'd be 26 and could be married. He looked at me like a crazy person and said 'No, I'm not going to do that.' 'That's what your dad said too, he was married and had one kid at age 26 - good luck with that' :) So when I looked at this paper - I asked about the 2 dogs he was going to have. He just laughed and said yep.

Lucas has a very kind, understanding, and patient teacher......with a sense of humor. haha!

Why the ninjas? Well because the enemy of a groundhog is a bobcat and people. :)

To the new

A few new things happening around here:

Lucas lost tooth #2 to a set of vice grips courtesy of Jeff (on purpose, the tooth needed to come out); also growing his molars in the back.

Lea lost her first 'eye' tooth - still questioning if that was supposed to come out, but it did and we hope something grows in it's place.

Survived 2 rounds of this bizarre flu going around. 

Jeff received a job offer and accepted it. Talked to his supervisor to give notice and was informed he was on a short list of people to be 'let go'.....whew, all in the Lord's timing right. We've been through that before. 

#1 - offered to leave in lay-offs, job was killing our family, no job lined up, took 9 weeks to get a job

#2 - let go and no job lined up, took 3 weeks

#3 - job first, then leave....(I like this plan a lot better) :)

I think we needed the stressful situations to help us prepare and keep us humble. We've been blessed to find employment so quickly each time.

Found a guy who can keep our cars running without draining our bank account. sweeeeeeet!!

New callings - Jeff is teaching the 12-14 year olds Sunday School class.

I'm the Relief Society Secretary and back up for when the Primary needs one too. Which I LOVE!

Oh we're going to Paris and London, my parents are coming to watch the kids. Romance is in the air.

We're spending more time outside - it's beautiful here this time of year! Love Arizona winters!!

Trying to be more involved and saying yes more than no to my kids. I'm a firm believer in the word no, but sometimes (alot of the times) yes is what needs to be said before I squash all the fun out of them. 

We had the 'talk' with Lea the other night. Not how I envisioned it going - mostly because it was 9 pm and in our kitchen, but it works. Was hoping to have a special night out for her, but she asked about sex, so we answered. For probably an hour.

life is moving right along.