Killin" Time

What do you do when stuck in the car for over an hour WAITING for your school open house?

Take pictures of course!!!

High and Low

at dinner tonight O asked if everyone could give their "high's and low's"...(a normal thing we do at dinner each night)

Dad's high: that I showered and did my hair
Ian's high: that I am walking faster
Owen's high: that I got out of bed and made him muffins


Thanks boys!

(baker chose to leave me out of his! He's my favorite now...Crate was at scouts so he didn't get to vote)

Incase your wondering...
My high: that a dear friend brought us dinner
My low: that I STILL can't bend over :(

Todays the Day...

Yea for mom's everywhere...today was the first day of school...we'll for 2 that is!!

The boys are TOO BIG now for me to take them to school...but I can still embarrass them outside our house with a "Back From School Photo Op!"

OHHH, and guess who's Birthday it is today? Yep, Happy 11th birthday Crate, now THAT'S IT!!!

My Favorite Day of the Year

The day before school starts up is one of my MOST FAVORITE day's of the year...2 reasons.

1. I have been waiting for this day since May 20th!!( the LAST day of school)

2. Mike gives the boys a Father's Blessing.

Since Baker started school 10 years ago, Mike has given each of the boys a Priesthood blessing the night before school starts. I can't tell you how blessed I feel to have each of my boys receive this simple yet SO IMPORTANT blessing. As a mother, I too am comforted as each of our son's receives their own blessing for the upcoming school year. It is moment's like this that I sit and look at the men in my life, and am appreciative of the their worthiness to bless me and my children. As a mother of all boys I am greateful to each and every one of them for their example, love, support, encouragement and most important their Love for our Savior. I truly can not imagine my life without them being in it.

I was recently re-reading general conference talks and there is a talk by Pres. Boyd K. Pacer entitled, "The Power of the Priesthood". He shares a touching story of a young man who is on leave and is being ordained and needs someone to preform the ordination. He asked Pres. Harold B. Lee to do this ordination, but when the time came Pres. Lee asked the boy to ask his father. The young man replied, "I have already asked someone else". Pres. Lee answered, "Go home, my boy, and tell your father that you are going away to war and want to receive a father's blessing fomr him. If he does not know how, tell him that you will sit on a chair. He can stand behind you and put his hands on your head say what ever comes." The boy did as he was directed and 2 years later Pres. Lee and this young man met up again. He reminded Pres. Lee of the situation and said, "The power of the priesthood filled both of us."

It is stories like this that remind me how blessed I am to have 2 Priesthood Holders in my home...as the younger boys watch their older brother and their dad, I know that they two are preparing to receive this marvelous gift. As for me, I could not be blessed more. Within the last few weeks I have been blessed with a fathers blessing and a blessing from my husband...My heart, full...my life, blessed beyond measure... my home, full of the spirit. I am abundantly grateful for the power of the Priesthood and the worthy men in my life!!

Party number....we'll I've lost count now!

Crate,
I hope you enjoyed this party, cuz THAT's IT!!!, oh wait...tomorrow is your REAL birthday, ok so after tomorrow THAT'S IT!!!

Bryn, Baker, Addy Ian, Mabel, Ethan, Owen and Creighton...what a bunch!

So excited to be Kindergartners!!

what a face...we sure love this boy!!!

Happy Birthday Crate...

Why is it that birthday's in our home last FOREVER???

and Mike and I don't ever get one???

Thanks Aunt Allie

Gone for 8 short days and what happens? Aunt Allie plays food cop and now....Owen won't eat anything!!!

Let me back up...Aunt Allie was WONDERFUL and watched the boys for us while we were on our cruise. What we didn't know, was that she was introducing a "New Rule", said Owen, with the boys...you must try one new food or ELSE...(ok, I added that part, but the only person more stubborn than me is her!!) All the boys managed to do well at this "New Rule" except Owen...who doesn't eat as it is...She was Sooooo mean, a BITE of a carrot OR a BITE of an apple...hard core isn't she?!?! Well not knowing that she meant business, Owen gave her a run for her money and well I'm happy to report after throwing up from crying...1 point goes to Aunt Allie...next night, chicken and rice or no playing at Aunt Nat's. 2 points now on Aunt Allies side...OH NO...the Cucumber...again, point for Aunt Allie...

Now, fast forward two weeks...Owen is sleeping over at Aunt Annie's house...and what is for dinner, something he DOESN'T"T LIKE, "My mom said I don't have to try something new!"(btw I never said that nor will I !!! )...with a panic in his voice... but unlike Aunt Allie, Aunt Annie gave in and he ate a Chocolate Chip Muffin instead...now for Owen that's like 10 points for Aunt Annie but in a GOOD WAY!! :D

I should have you know that this "NEW RULE" was already a rule at our home Owen just didn't think his aunt could be so hard core...Like his mean mother!!! (but hey, were sisters and well...we learned from the best, Thanks Dad!) So, the other night Owen REFUSED to eat anything that wasn't drenched in chocolate and after a 2 hour stand off, this is where I found him...when he woke up he told me that "I made him go to bed without food in his tummy!"...I quickly reminded him that he CHOOSE to go to bed with out eating...Then no joke, 2 seconds later he was fighting me again because I would not let him eat 4 cookies for breakfast...guess I need to start locking the door when I eat MY breakfast :D!!