Being Crafty

I made this "Spooky" at my friend Heather's house and was so amazed at how easy it was, so I made one for Thanksgiving and Christmas the other day.

Sweet Deals, Potty Mouth, BBall and More...

First off, excuse the mess in my entry way. It snowed this morning so we had to bust out the snow gear. Ashley took this picture of me. It is to show my $34 dollar top to bottom outfit. Everything you see that I am wearing including the boots and necklace came to a grand total of $34! Such awesome deals thanks to my sister while we were in Denver. Her goodwill there rocks! I got the sweater and jeans there.

Ashley was taking my picture and she said she couldn't do it, so I was walking forward while she took this pic. and out of frustration she says really loud, "D@#n it!" My first reaction was to laugh, then I realized she got this from me. I say that bad word when I am frustrated with the kids. Like the time Ashley poured apple juice in Blake's new shoes, or when they haven't been listening or if they have been non stop fighting. When Mom says the "d" word they know I mean business! After Ashley said that Blake came in from the other room and said, "I heard Ashley say a very bad word!" I need to not say that word anymore, even though it was really funny.

Blake and Ashley at G&G Allen's. They really do love each other.

Ashley and my boots. She loves them. I got them for $7 dollars last winter at Target.

Chico and (my hand) . Chico thinks he lives here.

Blake "calming down "Gilbert after we cleaned his bowl. We have had Gil for almost 16 months. I can't believe he has lived this long. He loves to follow us in his bowl around the kitchen. I have only seen him puff up once.(He is a betta) That was right before he killed Gary the snail we put in there to help keep his bowl clean. The pet store said that snails were great companions for bettas. Well, not for our Gilbert. He likes riding solo! :)

Blake at his bball camp. He has done so well.

My camera absolutely stinks. Here is Blake practicing passing with one of the coaches.

I came back from a run and my kids were sharing the tricycle. It looked so cute.

Last week we went with my good friend to Cornbellys. It was so fun. Here are Blake and Ethan on the bouncy things.

On the fun cow tractor ride.

Blake on the big bikes. They are like big trikes. Ashley and I went on the adult ones and a guy had to give us a running push because me legs were almost too short for the pedals. It was hysterical!

Blake and Ethan on the train ride.

Ashley and Camden. They are such cute little blondies.

In the fire truck.

Ashley and I in the Princess carriage.

My little princess. They have dresses for the girls to wear for these pictures. Such a cute idea.

Blake had his last day of camp today and they had a bball game. Blake scored two baskets. It was awesome. There is only one girl in the whole camp and look how close she stands to my son! So cute!

Blake getting his prize for finishing the camp.

This past weekend we were in Denver. It was a very fun time. More pics to come!

My Blakey Baby

On Wednesday Blake started his month long basketball camp called, "Little Hoopsters." He loves it. When we got there Blake told them his name, they gave him a ball, and he made a basket first try! Yeah! It is so fun to watch him.

Blake loves to climb things. It is in his blood. I hope we don't have to go to the ER anytime soon.

Yesterday Blake lost his first tooth. It was quite the event. His tooth had been super loose for a while. His gums right below the tooth were starting to look red and inflamed. My mom tied a string around the tooth, but that caused it to bleed quite a bit. Blake opened his mouth to have me take the string off, but all I could see was blood all below his teeth and oozing onto his lip. Blood makes me feel so sick and light headed. Blake and I went upstairs for my mom to take it off and pop! it came out. At that point, Blake was hysterical. Screaming and crying, Ashley was jumping up and down so excited and I was sitting on the stairs feeling kind of light headed. I wish I would have gotten it on video, it was hilarious.

Blake woke me up at 2am this morning so excited to see what the tooth fairy brought him. He knows it is me. Before bed he said, "Mom since the tooth fairy is you, can I get 5 dollars instead of 1?" Yeah right.

Comings and Goings....

Blake being a leopard. He was hiliarious!

Ashley and her sassy poses.

We have been going to the park ALOT to feed the ducks. This certain duck sure thought Ashley was great.

Blake's new trick. He walks in his sleep. I was still up talking to a friend on the phone and he walks in and does this. Um, okay.

While at the park we were turning a corner and heard this hissing sound. Of course, my first thought was SNAKE!! It was this very protective mother. We stayed clear of her.

Blake LOVES to feed the mice around the pond. I thought it was gross at first, but they are so small and cute.

We hiked the Y a few weeks ago. It was the kids and I first time. They did great.

Us sitting on the Y. It was a much easier hike than I anticipated. The kids did great. Near the top Blake said, " Boy, my body sure doesn't move as fast as it use to." He is so funny.

The view from the top.

Random Picture. Ashley woke up one night and wanted chocolate milk. I woke up the next morning to find evidence of how tired I was in the middle of the night. :) Oh boy!

New hair color! Blake's school had a carnival and the kids got their hair dyed.

Blake's new do.

Ashley loving her, what she called, "Hannah Montana Hair."

The high school girls at the booth got such a kick out of Ashley's white hair turned pink that they took a picture. They said Ashley was their favorite of the night. Luckily, Blake's hair washed right out. Ashley almost a week and 4 washes later still has little remnants of pink in her hair!

Lo and behold, Blake did catch a mouse from the park in his water bottle. I was so shocked. We brought it home to show G&G and then let it go back at the park. Sorry the pics are so fuzzy.

"It goes by fast...."

Last Sunday during Sacrament Meeting I was at my whits end. I had just finished taking the kids out of the chapel, put them in chairs in a classroom, and told them that they can't fight and talk so loud in church. They both sat there and agreed to be quiet. We then entered the chapel again and sat down. Not 30 seconds later Blake was egging on Ashley and she erupted in her ear piercing cry, and said really loud, "I hate you Blake, you, you, dummy head!" Ashley knows she is not suppose to use the word "hate." I was ready to put the smack down. I grabbed both kids by the hands and we bolted for the door. I was so mad, and I think the whole congregation could see it and for sure they all heard my kids. Ashley on the way out of the chapel dropped her kitty Trixie and I just left it on the ground, therefore her crying got even louder. I was so done!!! I had to remember I was still in the church so my yelling was a little quieter in the classroom, but not by much. A cute old lady in the ward came in and gave Ashley her kitty and I thought, lady you are ruining the effect here, but Ashley was sure grateful. After 15 minutes of sitting on chairs with arms folded and having almost every privilege taken away, the kids and I headed back to the chapel, this time they didn't move a muscle until it was time to go to class.

After I dropped the kids off at Nursery and Primary, Brother Wright, a sweet man in the ward came and sat by me. He said, "How are you doing?" I responded, "I'm grouchy, my kids are driving me crazy." I couldn't lie and say, "I'm great!" He then proceeded to tell me time goes by so fast, that this too shall pass, and before I know it they will be all grown up. As he was telling me this tears were welling in his eyes. His kids are now 22 and 19. He said with only two kids it goes double fast. I am grateful that he took the time to talk to me, I'm also grateful I didn't burst into tears. It was close.

Today was Regional Stake Conference, that meant the kids had to sit and be quiet for TWO hours verus just one on other Sundays. I was hoping that the stuff I got the kids at Target, in the dollar section, and the many prayers I said would keep them quiet. They did so well. I was SO glad. Brother Wright was sitting behind us and anytime my kids looked back he would give them two thumbs up. It was so sweet. I am grateful for kind people who offer help and encouragement.


Time does go by fast. How did my cute baby boy go from this little guy to going to kindergarten?

How did my cute baby girl get to be 3.5 so fast?

I am grateful for the little reminders that time is precious and goes by way too fast. Even if I almost lost my mind last Sunday. :)

Blake Starts Kindergarten!

Grandpa Allen came over and gave Blake a great pep talk. So sweet.

Blake ready to go. He wanted to do a funny face. :)

Blake outside his kindergarten room. He knows his door is the one with the frogs on it.

Blake putting his backpack on his hook. After this point he just walked right in and turned the corner and never looked back. Right when he was out of sight Ashley says really loud, "Wahoo! Let's go get some smoothies! I love spending time with you Mom!" I was too busy laughing to cry so it worked out well. Yeah for Arby's $1 strawberry banana milkshakes.

This is what Ashley did for the majority of the time Blake was at school.

Blake's class coming out. You can't see his face, the little boy in the orange shirt stepped right in front of him. Dang!

Blake after his very first day. His crown says, "Hero." Blake said he had lots of fun. He was a little nervous this morning. While we were in the car going to the school Blake says, "What if I get sent to the principals office, and I have to get detention." What??!! I reassured him that he would not get sent to the principals office. I think he has been watching too much iCarly.