Priesthood Session

Every year Mark goes to the priesthood session in Salt Lake. When we were first married I didn't really get what the big hairy deal was and why he had to go. I just thought he could just as easily (if not more so) go to his stake center and watch the same thing. But no matter how grumpy I was about it he still went. It wasn't until a few years ago I went to the Relief Society broadcast with my mom, sister, aunt, and grandma that I realized why Mark loves going. We had such a great time. I don't think I have complained about it since. I am actually looking forward to Mark's dad getting home (he has been serving as mission president for the past, almost, three years) so Mark can go with him. Mark leaves around 4 and gets home sometime after 11PM. I have started my own traditions with the boys. I try and do something fun that I normally wouldn't do. I really don't like to be at home especially when I know Mark is out have a good time. I feel like we should be too. So this year we went bowling. They just opened up a new bowling alley 1/2 mile from my house. It was a lot of work to go with all the boys but we had fun. Jake used this ramp a couple of times but then bowled without it. Until he crossed the line and slipped and fell. He then stuck to the ramp. He told me he doesn't want to go bowling again with out dad. So next time, Mark you are invited :)

Here is Ethan the winner of our game. He scored 95! (he did have the bumpers) But he also got 2 spares and 1 strike. Way to GO!

Andrew even loved it!

I had a hard time getting Ryan to push the ball. He loved standing up there watching everyone bowl.

Here's me. I bowled too. I was pretty tired by the time it was my turn after helping everyone with their turns.

After bowling we got some pizza and came back home. I got the boys to bed and then watched a documentary on marathons. So interesting. I went to be totally worn out. I was glad to have Mark back home. I hope he had as much fun as we did.

new apron

We had our relief society activity last week. It was a bazaar. For those of you who don't know what a bazaar is (which I didn't) it was where the relief society sisters got together and cooked meat pie (basically a pot pie) and jello and then sold all their hand made things. Anything from pillow cases to sock monkeys and quilts. We were asked to display something we made that could have been sold and come in casual attire with an apron. I was getting tired of my old apron so I just sewed myself a new one. LOVE IT! I just bought a book called A is for Apron. It has 25 apron patterns in it. I really want to sew more but I have a list of things that I need to be sewing so another apron will just have to wait. And if you are wondering what I displayed here it is. I have been making ties lately. I wanted all my boys to have matching ties including Mark and then I am going to make myself a matching pencil skirt. How fun. So here are the first two ties I have made. I these ones fit Andrew and Ryan. They are pretty easy to make and I think they look so cute on.

Ethan photo shoot

Ethan took my camera the other day. When I found him with my camera he was taking pictures of a comic book. I wasn't very happy since he isn't supposed to use my camera. Luckily he got some good ones of himself.

Jake's birthday Part 2

We had a busy day on Wednesday! And I think that Jake had a good time. When he woke up we let him open his presents.

This is one of my favorite pictures. He just opened up his penguin costume and Mark is holding it up so he can have the full view. This picture says 1000 words! (I am glad that I stayed up late making it all last week it was worth it.

Here's Jake in his new costume, arms out

arms down

and sliding like a penguin

We went to Kangaroo Zoo during the day with his friend Bryce

Ryan climbing the highest slide at kangaroo zoo!

Jake with the real live Chuck E. Cheese!

Jake blowing out his candles. I love this picture as well since Mark is covering Ryan's mouth so Jake can actually blow the candles out himself.

Here is the cake that Mark put together. Decorating cakes with Mark is my favorite thing. I love Birthdays!

Happy Birthday Jake

I can't believe Jake has gone from this to this!

Happy Birhtday Jake.

(ps there will be another post with more pictures sometime in the not too far future)

I love Free

The children's museum in Salt Lake had a free day on St. Patrick's and so we went. To say it was SO crowded would be an understatement! It was pretty packed and I really couldn't have done it without Emily and Michele. They were huge helpers! Here are just a few pictures I got. Ryan in the Dog house and Emily with the pup.

Michele and Jake at the magnet wall.

Lunch time.

Jake's favorite place. He was here over an hour. He kept telling me that he had to work.

Ryan in the farm area with some chickens. Guess he has the same interest as his dad :)

The first hour we were there it was a total mad house. Jake brushed up against another little girl which was impossible not to do. (there were so many people there it seemed you were always bumping someone) Anyway she totally start crying. Emily was with Jake and asked the little girl's mom if she was ok (thinking it was a little odd that she was so hurt) the mom replied, "she has a broken collar bone." FYI somethings are not worth free. IF you child has a broken collar bone don't take them some place so crowded that they are going to get bumped every 5 seconds.

As it was so crazy we kept hearing other mom's say "this is so bad lets just go home." That is was gave us the motivation to stick it out. And with in an hour it was much better. Thanks again to Michele and Emily for all your help. If you weren't there I am sure I would have ended up with someone else's kids or none at all.

For Jake

I had a lovely trip to Arizona. I forgot how easy one kid can be. It was SO relaxing. As soon as we left the airport we went over to Kellie's apartment. It was so fun to see her and of course her new baby Gunnar. He is darling. Here he is not even a week old yet.

Here is a picture of Star. She is one solid girl. :) I couldn't believe how heavy she is compared to Ryan.

Here is Kellie with Gunnar. She was such a good sport to let me take her picture this soon after a c-section! Thanks Kel.

We had a little girl time (giving Kellie some rest) so Star and I did airplane rides and wrestling a little (I am used to being with all boys) Then it dawned on me that we should paint our nails. Star loved this. It was so fun to do with her too.

I don't feel like I got too many smiles out of Star. She is one of the most somber little kids I have ever seen. I am grateful that I got a few on camera.

As soon as I got in the van in Salt Lake Jake asked me if I got any pictures of Gunnar and what he looked like. He was sad he couldn't come but requested that I got pictures of Gunnar, Star, and Kellie. Sorry Erik, Grandma and Grandpa he didn't want current photos of you. So here they are Jake. I hope you enjoy.