Time to Close this Chapter

It is time to close this chapter of my life. But look for a new one to begin. I am in a better place, finding myself again. Life is good, and it is only going to get better. Pay attention and you will find me somewhere else!

Wicked in New York

Off to NYC one of my favorite places to go….not that I would want to live there. It started off an early morning….Camille, Cindy, Terrie and I piled in the car and headed out around 6:00 am. Straight to China Town, one of my favorite places to shop. I can’t leave there without a pair of sunglasses. We found some cute jewelry, a purse for Cindy and a camera bag for Terrie (a purse, but don’t tell her that is what they are called.)

Before you know it Camille was rushing us out, we had reservations at Serendipitiy’s and so she hailed us a cab. You would think she was the one driving. Yummy food, and yes the Frozen Hot Chocolate is to die for, minus the whip cream, I didn’t care for it too much. Then off to Dylans candy store. I am glad we went there after we had eaten, although I did find the cutest Diet Coke bottle I have ever seen. Time flies when you are having fun and now for the main event….WICKED!
I had seen this once before, but it was just as good I was able to sit back and take it all in now that I knew the story (side note, my mom was seeing the same day in Tempe, AZ). A trip to the city isn’t a trip unless you make it to the M&M store, find out your color mood, use the restroom and pick something up for at least one kid. Then to the Hershey store. We were beginning to see a theme….Do you? Camille had to shop at her favorite store, obviously it wasn’t ours. JK.

Then sadly it was time to go, we headed home but then when we came to a screeching hault in front of some orange cones… we had to take the next exit which happened to be the IKEA exit. A quick pit stop and we called it a night. A lot of fun and a lot of laughs….my stomach and back hurt…..much needed!

Hiking

The boys and I found a cool little place with easy hiking trails last summer. We went there a few times last year and had a blast this day we went. Chandler was the photographer. We ran through paths, pretended we were airplanes, we danced and we sang, we balanced on broken tree limbs and even hugged a few. My favorite picture is of the three youngest walking towrds the light...no really is was a street, but let's pretend! Unfortunately the weather has been wet and we have had a lot of other appointments so the trails will have to wait until we return from Arizona!

4th of July

Well it was a crazy fourth of July.....We started out our morning with a ward Pancake Breakfast. The weather was questionable and although the women and I were fine to set it up outside the men were a bit whimpy...ha! ha! A few injuries got things going but lucky we have great people at church and it all worked out. This year was the first time that I can remember being cold, wrapped in a jacket and walking to the gas station to buy Hot Chocolate...LOL We had a good time though. We arrived at the Commons with KFC around 5:00 pm. We ate and the kids ran around with whoopi cushions, swords (made of foam) and bubbles. By the time the fireworks started we had a large group-10 families. It was a lot of fun!

It has been a bit crazy!

I am always amazed at how quickly time goes and things get away from you! Maybe it is the end of the year, or my crazy life. The kids have one more week of school, they are excited! Me too! I am ready for them to be home for awhile, the older they get the more social they are and the less they are at home. I really have been missing them a lot! And on top of it summer means a trip to Arizona. YEAAH! We are all very excited, the boys are getting in touch with their friends and making plans, I should be doing that too! My family is excited, they have all kinds of plans. I don't expect a lot of sleep - a lot to do and a lot of people to see in just a short amount of time. But I will savor every minute! I am realizing life is too short to not do that!

Thanks to all of you who sent me birthday wishes, I don't think you know how much it meant to me, and I know I didn't tell you! I am so blessed to have such good friends and family! Love to you all!

How is my baby 6 already!

How time flies, I can't believe that my youngest is already six. I am the luckiest Mom to have such wonderful boys. Preston being the youngest has been a different experience. We have had the opportunity to spend more one on one time together and how great that has been. Although being the last has it's drawbacks too!

We started the morning off with doughnuts and chocolate milk. Then off to school.

Half Day Kindergarten allowed me to take him to lunch with MaryJane and Jade at one of Preston's favorite places Moe's.

Then the whole family went to Friendlys for Dinner and IceCream. He couldn't wait for them to sing Happy Birthday to him. When he got his icecream he didn't want a Sundae only a single scoop. Me I went for the works! Yummy!

I had his birthday party the following day. It was a backwards party theme. When the kids arrived we had them turn their shirts around. We decoated them in streamers. We started out opening presents and then headed off to cake and ice cream where we sang Birthday Happy to you! Then instead of breaking a Pinata we made our own. Then outside for Goose, Goose Duck and backwards relays. We finished with Pizza. The kids had fun. Chandler was a huge help he ran most of the games for me and Jake kept the crowd under control.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I was the first awake this morning. I think the boys forgot what day it was until Geoff reminded them. They quickly retrieved the gifts and cards and ran to my room. Nothing was more beautiful than the smiles on their faces as I read each of the handmade cards they had made at church and at school, their eyes lit up so big as I read them one by one. Nothing is better than a love for a child. It was quick to get ready and off to church. We were all so tired.

When we got home they sent me to my room to rest while they made breakfast for lunch. I don't know how many times they came in asking what I would prefer (so cute, but little rest)! About an hour later breakfast was served, waffles, eggs, hashbrowns, bacon and sausage. Oh and don't let me forget my appetizer, some sort of milkshake they made in the mini food processor with icecream and assorted other ingredients. The food was good, but what I enjoyed more was their effort and desire, although in the end I did have a rather large mess to clean up!

We spent the afternoon playing on the driveway with train tracks and Lincoln Logs, until the rest of the nieghbor kids came over and I was freezing. A simple dinner and a game of Apples to Apples ended the day. These are the memories I want to keep from this day.....forever!