For You, Beth...

Scott and Cole were left home alone Saturday.

These gems were discovered saved to my computer.

Apparently, they made a cd for a friend's birthday and decided to make their own recordings.

Since they were on my computer,

they're fair game,

right?

Just a little note...

I made this really fast, so the picture disappears halfway through but it actually lasts 2 min. 33 sec.

Master Emma

I ran some errands yesterday and came home to this...

Emma teaching our neighbor Karate.

I love that she got out her orange belt!

(And her hot pink leg warmers!)

Oh Boy.

Max was excited to receive a letter from his new teacher the other day.

Enclosed was a "Get-to-know You" sheet for him to be filled out and returned in the self-addressed stamped envelope.

No problem, right?

Well, check out the self-addressed stamped envelope that was enclosed...

Should I be worried?

A Night of Fun (or Insanity...)

Since Lee, Scott, and Cole have abandoned us on yet another week-long scouting adventure this week, I tried to do at least a few fun things with Emma and Max. We are fortunate to live close to family so we got to spend time with most of the cousins their ages over the past couple of days. We've had picnics, gone to new parks, tubed down a freezing cold stream, gone to the movies, and last night, we had a sleep over with Ross, Kate, Zach, Liberty, and Sam.

Fun Times!

We made our initials into pizza.

And took a trip to the "Hidden" park (that what my kids call Paul Reams Wilderness Park) and got eaten alive by mosquitos (sorry!).

We got rid of the old bread and the ducks didn't seem to mind.

Emma even fed the ducks!

She must be getting older because she didn't freak out--YAY!

Then we came home and got ready for bed and stuffed our faces with cookies, chips, and junk and watched some movies.

It wouldn't have been a sleep over without a pillow fight, right?

Emma was the first one asleep and Zach was the last when he nodded off around 1:00 a.m.

So it was another late night!

I'm glad everyone had fun and that

I'm still relatively sane.

I guess that's a good thing.

Cari, Cari, Quite Contrary, How Does Your Garden Grow?

Look!

It's ACTUALLY growing!

Maxisms

Max.

Sometimes I just have to laugh at some of the things that come out of this kid's mouth.

It just makes me wonder what goes on in that cute little head!

We've dubbed his funny sayings Maxisms.

Some of my favorite Maxisms:

"Why do pirates drink rump?"

***

Boyd K. Packer's name is

(according to Max and we've tried correcting this a million times so, please, no disrespect intended)

"O.K. Hacker"

***

"That boy ain't wrong."

***

And most recently, he called the Golf Digest Magazine

"The Golf Ensign."

He makes me smile.

Where Does The Time Go?

My baby turns 21 today.

It really does seem like yesterday she was born.

Time really does fly!

Beth is such a beautiful person

(both inside and out!)

We have truly been blessed having her in our lives!

Happy Birthday Beth!!!!

I love you!!!!!!!!

Just for Laughs...

So, I'm trying to put together a video for my parents' 45 anniversary but I'm having a little technical difficulties at the moment.

(SO frustrating!!!!)

I'm taking a, hopefully, short break from it and

decided to look through an older file of pictures and came across this...

and Cortney sent me this...

and Cricket sent me this yesterday....

I have come to the conclusion that I have a really silly family.

And I love it!

This Makes Me Happy...

(Elisabeth 3 years old and Jake about 9 months old)

I look at this picture and can't help but smile.

It's one of my favorites of Elisabeth and Jake.

It's hard to believe these adorable children are adults now.

One thing I am so grateful for is that they are close.

They always have been.

(Elisabeth and Jake last year at the Coldplay concert. I love how they still make the same faces too! I snagged this picture from Elisabeth's blog.)

I love that they love each other.

This is evidence of that love and

it makes me happy.

Emma's Birthday "Nicknic"

Look who turned 5!

It's hard to believe my baby is five.

She'll be starting kindergarten this

fall.

Unbelievable!

She's growing up so fast it's kinda scary.

Her birthday present this year was a bike.

I'm so proud of my fearful little girl,

she rides it!

This is a big deal for her.

She is normally scared spitless of anything of the active nature but,

she did it!

(And Lee was able to keep up with her!)

With all the craziness this year, we decided we'd have a family picnic (or "nicknic" if you ask her) for her party instead of a big friends party.

She chose to go to Discovery Park in Pleasant Grove

(the one by Nanny and Papa's house).

She chose the menu:

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

String Cheese

Cantelope

Cheetos

(I added Cucumbers and Vinegar)

Soda

and Pink Cupcakes

It was a fun evening even though we missed Jake and Elisabeth.

(I guess we'll have to start getting used to that since they will both be moved out in the fall! Weird.)

And speaking of weird...

This picture cracks me up!

Emma is such a funny girl sometimes. She said something really funny right as I was taking this and made Lee about choke! I wish I could remember what she said. I just remember it was funny.

This is what happens when I say, "Just one nice picture. No faces!"

Cole!

Here's the birthday girl sandwiched between two wahoos but obviously loving it!

I love that they still enjoy a good swing session!

She was sounding out different words.

R-A-D sums up the night!

Five things about my big five year old girl:

1) She loves everything about cooking. She can tell you what it means to saute, fold, and puree.

2) She can make the funniest faces!

3) She is sharp as a tack and very quick-witted.

4) She is extremely creative.

5) She is a very good girl and always tries to use her good manners and make others feel good.

But, she's not afraid to stand up for what she believes is right.

If she believes something isn't fair or right, you'll know. Trust me.

I love that about her!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

I Love YOU!!!!