Buddies

It's always nice when your kids get a long.

You know what I mean.

I'm lucky that, for the most part, my kids love to spend time together. Saturday morning was one of those rare Saturdays where we didn't have to go anywhere. While I straightened the house, Emma and Max entertained each other.

It was wonderful!

I think they were playing with Little Pet Shop toys. They figured out they were magnetic.

You know,

it's the little things...

Cute boy!

I don't have a clue what he's doing but I love how he was still wearing his "Prince of Desserts" award he won Friday night at the ward party. (He and Emma made Cinnamon Cake and won!)

They played "horses" for like an hour it seemed. So fun!

I love that they love each other!

Because I've Been Preoccupied (And Maybe a Little Depressed)...

I've neglected my little blog this month.

For some reason, I haven't been real excited to blog lately.

It's lost some of the fun for me.

I remember a year or two ago (before Facebook and such) when I could post things and people would actually comment and I would comment on their blogs and they would respond back to me.

That was when blogging was fun.

It's just not the same now.

I've thought about stopping completely but then it is a fun way to keep track of my family

memories (since I don't print out my pictures or keep a family journal).

Plus, since my sisters (and occasionally my brother) are now blogging, it's a good way for us and far-away friends to keep in touch. So, I decided to continue with it.

I do miss some of my old blogging friends,

but oh well.

***

Life has been crazy lately.

(understatement)

I've had A LOT on my mind and A LOT of worries that have taken up much of my time and energy. But we've done some fun things and I actually remembered to take pictures so here they are...

Max played Jr. Jazz this year.

He had a blast and we discovered

he's a good little athlete!

Here's some pictures from his last game...

Emma was a good support!

She came to almost every game to cheer Max on.

***

On St. Patrick's Day, mysterious little footprints showed up in our yard.

So, the preschoolers used their special Leprechaun Binoculars to

find clues that led them to the pot of gold.

Here's Emma showing the "leprechaun" hair she found in the yard.

They found hair and footprints and pennies that led them to the pot of gold under the rainbow (in other words, the pot of golden teddy crackers under the

cheap drawing of a rainbow taped to my house!)

It was so great. They TOTALLY believed a leprechaun named Lucky was in my yard.

So fun!

***

Saturday was the Pinewood Derby.

Max was such a good sport.

He made an awesome car named "Zeus" (although he raced it under the name of Estivon --not sure why.)

It was a cool looking car but we can never get the weights right and so he came in last place.

He didn't care though.

He just had fun just like he always does!

I love this boy!!!

***

Also Saturday, Cole competed with the PHS drumline up at West High in Salt Lake.

I wish I could have come but I couldn't.

I will be at State in April though!

Nothing will stop me.

They came in First Place and Cole was jazzed!

Here's a picture I received from Dalene (who never misses anything!) of the pit.

Thanks Dalene.

Cole's not looking at the camera but he's on the right in the second row.

Yay PHS Drumline!

***

Elisabeth was home this weekend!

Yay!

(I didn't get pictures of her though! And I didn't get a nice family picture either! Someday.)

We did a lot of this...

And got a kick out of watching this...

(Our ghetto version of Guitar Hero)

It's a little bumpy because Scott was cracking up while filming it.

We can always count on Jake for entertainment!

Preschool Joy

We played with homemade playdough at preschool Thursday to help us learn about colors.

After singing our "Oh Rainbow, Oh Rainbow" song (sung to the tune of "Oh, Christmas Tree"),

each child was given red, yellow, and blue playdough.

I showed how to mix the colors together to make orange, green, and purple.

They thought it was cool but

didn't want any part of mixing theirs together!

(Except Ethan who made a cool marble design with red underneath. What a creative little guy!)

It's amazing the fun these kids can have with just the simplest little thing!

You can learn a lot from a preschooler!

And this picture makes me see that doing this preschool is worth it...

Look at Emma...

That smile is pure joy!

Fun times!

My Rocker Son

Ladies and Gentlemen.

I present

the debut performance of

The Fire Breathing Ants

(cue screaming 7-8th grade kids)

playing their original song

Life

at Dixon Idol today...

(Cole is on the drums, Ari is on guitar and lead singer, and Hayden is on the trombone)

Great job Fire Breathing Ants!

Pretty cool.

One of Cole's "fans" made him a shirt.

That just cracks me up!

***

P.S.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORTNEY!!!

Maybe I can get you a Fire Breathing Ants shirt.

You know you want one!

Uncle Scott's Birthday

My mom's brother, Scott, is visiting from sunny San Diego and Saturday we got together at Craig's house to celebrate his birthday.

(I think Ross was surprised to find out he was 62!)

We had a fun little party.

I got to play Guitar Hero for the first time and

I basically rocked the house.

Well, not really because Craig stole the guitar from me and I didn't get a chance to play anything but the beginner level.

I'm not bitter or anything even if someone can play anytime he wants!

Whatever.

(Just kidding Craig! Kind of.)

It was fun to see some of my adorable nieces and nephew and get the chance to visit with my awesome parents and Uncle Scott.

Happy Birthday Uncle Scott!

Hope it was a good one!

We love you!

***

P.S. I guess I've worried a couple of people (I didn't think people read my blog anymore). Just to let you know, no, I don't have cancer. Either does Lee or any of my kids. Someone I love dearly does and I don't think they want me saying anything about it just yet. I probably shouldn't have said anything to begin with.

But I still think Cancer sucks!

Sisterly Love

This is a picture of Emma's play corner in our family room.

Now I'll zoom into what she put up on the wall all on her own...

She took one of our Valentine decorations and hung it up with a picture of Elisabeth.

So cute!

There's no denying a little sister's love.

Some Random Thoughts...

Scott is awesome.

He went to the state DECA competition for his marketing class this week and came in 5th in the individual competition. Not too shabby for a sophmore! I just keep thinking about how well he's going to do next year. He's got a good business mind. So proud of you Scott!

***

I'm in awe watching Jake finish up all his IB stuff.

He's a working machine!

Seriously, he's been working so hard finishing up his 150 hours of service, research papers, physics labs...I'm 100% sure he's ready for college work.

Now, he just has to learn a year's worth of music theory in 2 months (thanks to the music teachers and counselors at the high school not notifying the IB music kids of the requirements. That's another story for another day.)

Way to go Jake!

***

Cancer sucks.

So does waiting.

That's all I'm saying about this.

***

I made my first crocheted baby blanket for my adorable new nephew, Brit.

I'm happy with how it turned out.

***

I still can't believe I can crochet now. It used to drive me crazy and now it's relaxing. I must be getting old.

***

Cole and his friends are forming a band (as in a real life Rock Band). So far there's 2 guitars and Cole plays the drums. I'm amazed at how well he's picked up the drums. They are auditioning for Dixon Idol (at the middle school) today. They are actually pretty good--loud but pretty good.

He's saving for his own drumset. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

***

This economy sucks big time.

I wish I had a food storage.

Why don't I listen?

***

Elisabeth sounds happy. I hope she really is.

***

Lee's been working his butt off. Seriously. He puts in at least 12 hours a day. I hope all his hard work will pay off. I'm tired of him working so hard and not getting compensated.

***

I'm soooooooo thankful we didn't buy a house last year.

Our house is small and crappy but at least it's affordable.

***

I've turned into a "treat girl".

A treat girl is someone who makes treats for others but keeps some aside for herself.

I pretend I'm doing a good deed but really,

I just want the treats.

***

I need to exercise.

***

Not really too excited about the "springing forward" this weekend.

There's not a whole lot of "springing" in me lately.

I'm more a "fall back" type of girl.

***

I am looking forward to Spring though.

Hopefully I can improve my yard and

I will be planting a garden this year!

***

I woke up in the middle of the night last night and realized I forgot to call and wish my father-in-law a happy birthday. I can't believe I forgot.

Happy Birthday Daddy! (a day late.)

***

I'll be spending my day today doing laundry, driving people places, and more laundry.

Laundry should be a four letter word.

I'll stop now.