More Warm Thoughts...

I am still needing to stay warm and happy.

Here are some warm fuzzys from this past summer..

The day I took the kids to Hogle Zoo was a nice warm day.. we had a good time:

Cameron found a friend in the gift shop that he wanted to take home.
There were a bunch of new baby animals at the zoo,
including the new baby elephant that was so much fun to sit and watch.
We were so warm we had to rest in the shade.
We even took a break from the heat and enjoyed the zoo's bird show.

The day we went to the pool was a nice day..

not that hot, but not 20 degrees either!

Brittany had fun cooling on on the water slide.

Cameron did not care that it was not the hottest day of the summer,

he was just happy to be playing in the water.

Kyle enjoyed cooling off in the pool too.. just look at that big smile!

Nothing brings warm happy thoughts like the beautiful pictures

Tracy took of Alex with a Sunflower.

I hope these pictures help you warm up too.

Time to Thaw

Seriously.. freaking freezing! I am so cold..

It is 20 degrees outside.. the high for the day! Oh and it gets better.. it looks like a blizzard!
Just to make things better I looked up the temperature in Miami Florida.. it is 71 degrees right now; sun is shining, calm breeze, aaahhh.. can you feel the warmth on your skin?

I need to think warm happy thoughts, I have spent the past week and a half looking for "summer-ish" clothing in the dead of winter in UTAH for the cruise I am going on. With the beautiful weather we are having here I am Sooo... looking forward to leaving (DO NOT bring up the fact that I will be leaving the kids behind.. I am still a wee bit sensitive about that, and I will cry- at least until I am on the ship and then I should be OK.)

So until I set sail, I need happy thoughts.. this should help:

Ahhh... Isla Roatan

oooo.... Grand Cayman Islands
mmmm... Cozumel Mexico

Wow- Mayan Ruins in Belize

There don't you feel warmer already!

More Pix by Laura

Laura has posted pictures of both Brittany and Alexis that I think have captured their personalities perfectly.

I am so lucky to be the mom of such beautiful girls. I know that they had a blast having their pictures taken and being teen models for a day, and as a result I have a great keepsake that captures them perfectly.

Fight Night

At least once a month we have Fight Night at my house, and just to be clear that is UFC fights, I clarify because I actually had a neighbor ask once why so many cars were at my house and when I told her Fight Night, she said in a soft comforting voice "oooh.. I'm sorry".

Typically an average Fight Night consists of a lot of really good food, a bunch of friends and family and UFC fights. Sometimes we end up watching Kyle and Randy fighting more than the actual Pay Per View fight, nothing like watching a 3 year old get pinned down and tap out saying "Uncle, Uncle!"

This past week fights had a slightly different turn; there must have been something in the air, everyone was a little bit on the goofy side. Then... someone broke out the Nerf guns and the war began.. we had Nerf bullets everywhere..in food, on the TV.. stuck to the door...

Kyle kept saying he needed more bull-ups for his gun.. when we tried to correct him "they are Bul..LETS!" he corrected himself and said "ya...Pull-up's" (that is a toddler diaper for those of you that do not know).

A few mini fights took place, Tracy tried to tackle Amber...

And Randy tried to grab my feet and tickle them.. it did not end good for Randy, who got poked in the eye and it started to turn black and blue. (sorry Randy!) **Note to anyone else who wants to try that I WILL fight back! (or cry).

Kinderland School Pictures

You have to love school pictures.. they typically have lame back ground, by the time the time the photographer gets to your kid they have had it for the day and just snap the picture regardless of what you look like, and you forget it is picture day and you dress your kid in just the regular ole t-shirt that day.

Well that is the case for me, except when it came to the photographer.. this one loved Kyle!
I can not tell you how many times Tracy and I have tried to get this kid to sit down for pictures.. and we have NEVER got him to sit and smile like this! Seriously.. he puts on the best smile for a BLUE background and in his Gap T... figures!


Oh look.. still posing and smiling.. gesh...
This has to be the best school picture ever! I loved when Kyle pointed out his friend and said while laughing "he's doing this!" and then puffed up his cheeks! (see kid on front row with red hair).

Then you have Cameron.. I remembered his school picture day and actually dressed him kinda cute. But how hard is it to get a great shot of him, he is such a happy kid!

Christmas List

It is Christmas time, and with Christmas comes the spirit of giving and in my house the spirit of RECEIVING!

I got tired of the constant question… what do you want, what do you want….? So I posted my Christmas list for all to see on the front door of the refrigerator. Within a week I had lists from each of the girls posted right next to mine all in a cute little row.
Here is what each of the lists has written on them:

Lore’s “I Wish” Christmas List:
1. Dishwasher
2. Carpets Cleaned
3. French door window with built in blinds for family room
4. Cordless mouse (red)
5. Space Heater for work [I took care of this one already]
6. Red Kitchen Aid
7. Entertainment Center I like
8. Peace, Love & Happy, Healthy Kids
9. Weather stripping on garage door
10. Bird food

Courtney’s Christmas Wish List!!
1. One happy family who doesn’t swear at each other, loves each other, follows house rules (hung in bathroom), doesn’t fight, is always happy, does what they’re asked to do, & helps each other out when needed! J [Gosh, I had my happy family request as #8; she went and showed me up! I just hope I can find her one for Christmas, let me know if you know of any that can use a spare 13 year old!]
2. A little purse!!
3. A clean bathroom (without boxes) [I took care of this one already- don’t worry, early gift]
4. A new D.S. game
5. No homework J
6. Flat pretzels
7. Meat torquitos [I asked, and that means NOT chicken!]
8. S’mores granola bars
9. Cookie dough with a little picture in the middle (like a tree) [Is this kid building up her own food storage?]

MY Christmas list [Alexis]
- Snuggie
- Yellow hat
- Itunes cards [yes that was a plural]
- Itouch
- Glee soundtrack
- Non-stupid boys (if there is such things) [sounds like someone is having issues]
- To gain weight [who asks for that??]
- Forever 21 gift card
- More sweats
- New boots [Check!]
- Skinny jeans
- Skull candy headphones
- Yellow, aqua vans [Not yellow AND aqua.. either or… or both]
- Zombieland
- iHome or new speakers
- Kathy Reiches books

Brittany’s Wishlist:
1. D.S. games
2. Chocolate/cookie dough [let me guess, with a picture in it?]
3. DSI
4. Wii game for family
5. Books
6. Jeans [Double check]
7. Portable speakers [They are called ear buds Brittany… use them we are tired of Miley!]
8. Disneyland or World [would you like a 3 day park hopper pass or 5?]
9. Happy family
10. Rat leash hamess

I wish for these things because I think they would be fun to play with. I don’t need them though.
Britt

Merry Christmas girls, thank you for your lists. I will do my best to make this Christmas just as memorable as Christmas past. I will miss you all while you’re at your dad’s house over Christmas break, but don’t worry; I will ask Santa to leave a few gifts for under your tree.

Cameron's Studio Shoot

Shortly after Cameron turned one I had pictures taken of him by someone very close and dear to me. You have to check them out on her site. They are so cute.
I am spoiling the set by posting my favorite one here... but you can not help but laugh when you see it, and Laura's comments are so funny!

I know your going to ask...the cake is from Dippidee and it did not go to waste! It was so freaking cute and very yummy! The girls have already put in their orders with me for their birthdays!

The girls got into the studio shoot too and she took pictures of them also. She had Courtney's posted earlier in the month and when she gets time I am sure she will post some of Alexis, Britt and Kyle.. if she got any to work.. he is such a busy boy, he just wanted to play.