Poor thing

Sarah slipped while coming out of the pool at her Grandmas house. Looks so sad.

Today I have spent the entire day in bed. Summer sickness is no fun for anyone!

The fair

We went today with Ryans mom, sister Kaylee, brothers Tim and Tyler, and Todd's girlfriend Lauren. I let the kids pick out three food items to share and they picked Fried Klondike bar, fried smores, and fried frog legs.

We didn't go on any of the rides but walked around to see what was there. We enjoyed a nice picnic in the park while listening to a man play the chapman stick. It made such a beautiful sound and I really think this was my favorite part. The kids played tag when they were done and we just slowed down and enjoyed the day.

Monday is create day

I got out all the kids memorabilia and helped them to organize into a much better system. I gave them each banker boxes and let them decorate them however they wanted. We labeled folders by years and they organized it themselves. I wasn't overwhelmed becasue A. I had there help and B. I had a great system set up. Thanks Krista.

I asked Emma to help me with Dinner

Her presentation of the cucumbers and strawberries turned out beautifully. I love little helpers in the kitchen!

Success

We invited the missionaries over for dinner tonight and it was so yummy. I bought Bass and cooked it on the BBQ with olive oil, salt and pepper, and a little lime juice. I then made Mango chutney with fresh mangos we bought at a farmers stand. I did not have a recipe so I wasn't sure it would turn out. It was so yummy and made the fish taste divine!! A new favorite for the whole household!

Friday Friend day

Every family should own the game Just Dance. We invited the kids friends Madison and Liliana over for the day and the ended up spending the night to. They are such a fun family and we all had a great day. Joseph even took Lilly behind the bushes and let her know he liked her. This caused a huge stir cause Emma thought they kissed, which they did not. It was a good teaching moment and we all had a good laugh.

Self portraits

Are always a little strange but here is my new do. I am still trying to decide if I like it. I had the desire to cut my and made the appointment. I cut about 8 inches off and my head feels so light. Love that part. I think it will just take time to get used to how to style it. Very fun and different.

Wet Wednesday

Tyler watched Jacob so I actually got to swim and it was so much fun. I taught the kids how to dive and Joseph seemed to be a natural. To bad the only picture I got of him was of his splash.

Tuesday is Fieldtrip day

We made a summer schedule and we have had fun sticking to it and not letting our summer go to waste. Today we went to the Mormon Battalion museum and it was really cool. I was not expecting that for some reason. The tour was interactive with the portraits talking and the different room each took on a different aspect of their trail. At the end the kids got to pan for gold, play a song on a fiddle, build bricks, draw water from a well, and see how they washed there clothes. It was a well thought out tour and they all loved it! Jacob cried when it was time to put him in the car.

Life lessons

Sometimes we have to learn them all on our own.

I love Jared's hair a little longer. I think he looks so good. He has been asking me to buzz it and I keep telling him no. I finally gave in since it is summer and it is his head. It was the best when, after his hair was cut, he looked in the mirror and said to me, "Mom, I forgot I don't like the way I look with a shaved head." He looks great no matter what but sometimes we have to learn for ourselves.

Bleberries again?

This one needs a little more explanation. The kids made Ryan a smoothie for fathers day. They were so cute. They made breakfast all by themselves and brought it up to him. It was so cute. They gave him so much food he couldn't have possibly eaten it all. He put it on my desk then got into the shower.

I went down stairs to help the kids get started on the day. The baby quietly snicked away. I quickly noticed and went on the search for him. (we do have a baby gate that keeps him downstairs but a gate only works when shut properly) What I found was a baby covered(and the carpet covered) in blueberry smoothie. This was one of those not proud mom moments where I did not keep my cool.

I did not yell and scream but I felt so mad and frustrated. I think I might have yelled at the kids for letting him get by the gate. But there was no excuse. We were able to get the stain out amazingly and my anger didn't help anything. Good lesson for me but I felt bad that Ryan was late to his meetings on fathers day because he was helping me clean up the carpets.

I told him he gets a fathers day do over. I love him so much and he works so hard for us. I just want him to feel how much we really do love and appreciate him.

Dang proud of you Tyler!

My Brother (really Ryan's but I've watched him grow up he feels like my brother) graduated today a whole year early! He is such a sweet smart humble kid you can't help but love him! Way to go Bro!

A picture is worth a thousand words

I am going to let this picture explain it's self.

My 1st grader

Today we went and saw Joseph graduate from kindergarten. He performed a cute program and was so cute to watch him do the little actions. We sat close to him and had fun making faces the whole time. Afterwords we took him out to lunch at Rubios. So excited to see what the summer will bring!!!

Another "look mom" moments

Brought to you by Joseph. With as much Lego playing that goes on around here I was surprised no one ever thought to put Lego heads on top of each other or Lego feet for that matter. He made one serious guy. I love the look of pride. Just want to eat um up!

Dear Sarah

Your love for life makes me feel happy! Thank you for being you! The end

Easter in June

When we drove through Vegas we stopped at my mom and dad's. They had a basket full of candy filled eggs for the kids. We were going to go to there house for easter and something happened so she saved the eggs for us. So for FHE we decided to have an easter egg hunt in the living room. SO much fun! Thanks Mom!

With happy Heart

I bid farewell to you St George. You have altered the way I think and the very depths of my soul. I am leaving a better wife, mother, and me. I feel like hope is bright and the future is mine for the taking!!! To say I am blessed feels to small of a word. Life is even more then I expected it to be!

Yep that is Linda Eyre in case you were wondering.

One of the perks about this great retreat was getting to meet part of the Eyre family. Not just meet but sit with and talk to. They are my mom ideals and I want to be like them when I grow up.
This is my cute sister Laura and my SIL Sarah. It was so great to experience this with them so that we could grow together and keep ourselves on track!
I have been inspired more then I thought possible. The life changing kind. I feel so moved to action and no guilt. I want to share what I have learned with the world. In fact I am going to be starting a Learning circle in my area in the next month or so. SO excited!!! I feel like I am on fire with motivation and mommy goodness!

Wonderful Women

These are a few of the great ladies I might and was inspired by. Jen, Allyson, and Aubrey. I was so impressed with each mom for different reasons. It is so great to come into this environment where you all feel excepting and a desire to be better. The positive thoughts can catapult you forward at an exponential rate and I loved every single minute of the day!!!

I'm not a girlie girl

In fact it took me several years as a mom before I finally started to carry a purse. I often don't wear make-up and I don't buy a lot of shoes. With that said I do admire cute pursues and shoes and clothes - I guess I just feel to busy to put time into buying them. SO maybe I am a girlie girl deep down inside because buying this super cute purse made me feel... well... super cute!

Sarah and I drove up to St. George today for the big Power of Moms retreat in the morning. On our way to pick up my sister we shopped at the outlet mall. I love shopping with Sarah. She has the cutest style and she helps me think outside of my norm. I also bought the cutest white pair of pants a few shirts and really great sun glasses. Oh I can't wait for tomorrow.

We also enjoyed some really great conversations. Amazing how much faster that drive seems when kids are not screaming.

Three Piggie Opera

Emma got to play the part of the hay peddler in her school play. She did so good and was so cute. AT one point her hat feel off and she just kept right on singing like nothing was wrong. (to the dismay of the little boy next to her who could not understand why she waited till a break in music to pick it up) I think we have a performer on our hands!

It's what makes me happy

Music has a way of turning around my mood quicker then anything else I know. We have decided that dinner prep time is music time in our house and we have been enjoying singing to the top of our lungs and dancing silly together. It is so fun for me to watch their different tastes in music grow and to realize the blessing of a soft tune when everything else feels hectic. I sure love this little invention.

Creativity

Emma helps me to remember the importance of creative play. She is very artistic and I am always impressed with what she creates. Here is their army of play-doh guys.

"Mom come look"

Josh had set up all his new lego guys and was so proud of his accomplishments. Sometimes when the kids say "hey mom come look" I am to busy and don't come. But when I do I always am glad I did. I love to see the look of pride when a child has figured something out all on their own. Life is great!

Happy 4th Birtday Kid!!!

I absolutly love that I caught this face on camera!! He was so thrilled that we were all singing to him and celebrating him.

I have been reading the book 5 love languages for kids and have discovered that this little guys is gifts. With that in mind I asked him how many gifts he wanted fo his birthday and he said in a very mnatter of fact voice, "10." Ok 10 it is. He really wanted a big party with all his friends so that he could get lots of presents but with the move I decided to only invite one family over. A few relatives came last minute as well and he loved it.

As he opened his 10 gifts he really felt so loved and excited. It was great to watch! We really talked it up all week and even made him stay out of my room while we built one of his legod sets and wrapped the other 9 presents. With the other kids I would just put the presents in bags but with gifts being so important I wrapped each one separate. It was a great day.

I love you Joshua. You add joy and laughter and creativity to our home. Thanks for being you!

School fair

I gave the kids their allowance and let them run wild at the school fair. They each choose carefully where to spend their money and it was fun to watch them just enjoy being kids. Being a mother Rocks!

Still trying to get our house in order

Ryan bought me this beautiful cabinet to use as our tv console and I love it! So pretty and it fits perfect into the living room. Our house is starting to feel like a home!

Zj and Leslie

Ryan's cousin asked me to take pictures of them today. I don't really take pictures for other people very often so sometimes it takes me a minute to get in the groove. But it is easy when the kids are so stinkin cute.

Ice cream toppings anyone?

Since we have been so busy unpacking I guess this little guy took the opportuinty to find himself a snack. Oreo crumbles. I laughed so hard when I came around the corner to see this. He was so proud of himself. Got love this little monkey.