Enjoying the Weather

A few weeks ago we had our first break of nice spring like weather even though it was still winter. We of coarse took advantage of this weather and spent as much time as possible outside playing and working. Madi and I one day decided to head out to clean up our flower beds. Now we moved in in November so we aren't sure what our yard has to offer but we are very excited to find out.
First we headed up to the front of the yard and raked out leaves and dead parts of plants. I also was having an issue with the bed around the mail box not having any definition really, it just ran into the grass. Well, nothing a bunch of rocks found in various places around our yard wouldn't cure.

I just love how it turned out and the definition it has now as it's own lovely place. Looking forward to seeing the yellow flowers that are a part of the plant around the mail box (I found a plant steak in one of the plants). Madi and i also planted some Daisy seeds (today since it's so warm and nice), hope they come up.

Next, there was a bed in the back right outside our slider door that also just blended into the grass. We had a pile of bricks used to build our house, way out in our back yard so I hauled them up in the wheel barrow, dug a trench around the bed and laid my bricks in then filled in any spaces I needed to. This picture was taken when I was about half done. It turned out great! In the last week we have found some very interesting things starting to grow that I have no clue what they are. More surprises!

The next two pictures are 2 more beds in our back yard. The first one I still haven't put in a boarder but yet again, it needs it and I want one. More bricks will be coming up from the back but I'll have to get my boys to help me. They are so strong and this mama's back will go out if I push it too much. The other bed has a boarder (yeay, less work). Both beds have plants in them that I am waiting with delight to see what they have to offer. One bed has roses I know for sure and I'm happy my grandma will be here next month to give me some yard lessons.


We are loving our spring weather and so much so that today we get to have all the windows opened to bring in that fresh clean spring air smell into my house, as well as in my laundry that I hung out this morning. Love that smell! I will post pictures of all the beds as they bloom into what ever they are.

Eye of the Tiger

Ok, so for those who don't know, our Pioneer Club "snacking" after award events usually consist of many yummy sweet treats. Now there is the occasional healthy treat as well like apple slices and a veggie/dip tray but mostly it consist of delicious cookies, cupcakes, cookies, marshmallows, cookies, jello and did I mention....cookies. Now after you feed such items to children and then allow a small block of time to pass after ingesting such treats then decide to leave the event which involves sticking them in a vehicle all packed in together, you end up with a van full of sugar rushing children who can not control them selves! The funniest part is when Eye of the Tiger comes on the CD player and they all SHOUT the words and dance profusely so much so that the van shakes to the point that you at first think something is wrong with it till it dawns on you it is the zoo full of monkeys you have stashed in the back. Yes, our trip home last night was one for the books or in this case, the blog!

Pioner Club Awards Night

Last night was our final Pioneer club award night. Madi was anticipating it for two days and was so worked up with excitement. Scooters were the first group up which is Madi and Autumn's class. After saying their memory verses (Psalms 119:105 and Ephisians 6:2) they were called up one by one to receive their awards. Madi was so excited that she skipped and jumped back to her spot in line and I almost thought she would yell how excited she was. I enjoyed being a helper in this class this year, it was fun and a great time to share with my girls.
Next up was the Voyagers which is Dakotah's class and the same went for them, memory verses and then awards. After them was the oldest group, the Pathfinders/Colby's calss. They also recited their memory verses then received their awards. The last few weeks this class was in the kitchen baking so they earned a baking award which Colby was looking forward to.
After a devotion from Brenda our youth cordinator we headed into our fellowship hall to snack on some yummy finger foods. In all it was a great evening and I enjoyed watching my kiddos receive the awards they work hard to earn.

A bit more birthday fun

Saturday was the day we officially celebrated Dakotah's 8th birthday with the "cake" and presents. He had wanted a death star cake but since the idea of him even getting a party was up in the air until about a week prior it left no time for us to order the cake pan and then make it. Walmart did a fantastic job of keeping me on the star wars track though. The figures light sabers even light up when you push a button. I only have these two pictures since I became too busy enjoying watching him. Once my friend Winter sends me a particular picture I will share it with you all so you can see what happens after a soon to be 8 year old talks up such a big game for about a year of how he thinks he will smash his face into his cake when his day comes. Very fun!!!! Stay tuned....

A little celebration for our leprachaun....

Today is St. Patricks Day which means it's Dakotah's birthday!!!! I love having a kiddo who's birthday is on a holiday, it makes it even that much more fun to be nutty. We are having his (big) party on Saturday with the Star Wars cake and presents and the hand picked meal (he chose tacos this year which was a shock of a change from chicken alfredo). I couldn't pass up the festive cupcakes the other day when I was shopping so we used them to have a little celebration for D. After our corned beef and carrots (my family isn't a cabbage kind of family even if i am) with mashed potatoes we had dessert and then onto the birthday boys whippins. It's so funny to try to pin them down the older and bigger they get. I know the day will come when I will no longer win at the pinning them down game, until then I enjoy every second of it (squeals, screams, laughter, drool (yes drool) and all)!

The little things in life that can make a girl so happy!

When we moved into our new house in November one of the things on the top of our "to-do" list was to get a toilet into the half bath that is in our bedroom. Well, after pulling up the trim, putting down a skim coat and then laying the new floor tiles we took off the cap on the floor for the toilet and there was no plumbing to attach the toilet to. As I'm sure you can imagine, I was so bummed and even more bummed when my husband told me he would have to cut out part of the floor (that I just finished spending the afternoon putting down the flooring on) in order to do the plumbing. After a month or two went by he had a Saturday that he and a friend were able to finally get in there and do just that. The next day I painted new trim, relayed the flooring and then put down the trim. Now all that it needs is for my hubby to put in the toilet. He did a couple days later and I am shocked how excited I am to have a toilet in my bedroom bath. It's so nice! I can even sneak away and shut the door and actually pee in peace for once. If it isn't one of my kids either walking in or beating on the door, then it's my dog, seriously people can't a girl potty in peace. Yes!, she can in the far back corner of her half bath tucked away in her bedroom!!!!!! WHOO!!!

The moments that will crack a mama up!

So I went into the bathroom this evening to start the shower for my 6 year old and as I come out of the bathroom, shut the door and turn around this is what jumps out at me...........






She cracks me up and she obviously had just been in her brother's room getting into his things (not that he really cared). It was all I could do not to end up on the floor laughing and then run to get the camera. When I showed her what she looked like in her picture she then laughed real hard too. I love moments like these!