And they're all getting along

The kids were taking turns stuffing their little bodies into this storage bin and pretending it's a bed, etc. Ashten is my star in this film! He cracks me up at the end; always trying to be right in the camera's face, making strange noises and faces too. I am so thankful our kids can play together and make so many fun memories.

Elbow room

Candid is always a good way to catch people! Hey look they have twinner jackets! You guys are so cute together. Serious.

The kids had a great time playing in the snow every day, all day. They would come in to get warm and dry, eat, pee and go play! We all stopped for a photo shoot. Hurry, look this way everyone!
Jimmy cracks me up in this picture. He's the one waving in the front. So sweet!

Happy 5th Birthday, Chaney!!!

We celebrated Chaney's birthday over a few days! She has been talking about her 5th birthday since the day after she turned 4. We started the day by taking her older brothers to school and then Ryan, Chaney and I went to the doughnut shop for a dozen. She chose the chocolate with sprinkles. Then it was off to shop for some dressy birthday shoes which we finally found some that fit and were decent looking in the third store! Cute black patent leather that she hasn't had the opportunity to wear yet. I would like to save them for nice occasions such as church. She did enjoy trying on all the wacky shoes out there, though.
Ryan must have been pooped by then cause once we got out to the parking lot he started having a seizure. I'm thinking, okay, on her birthday! Stay calm, don't get irritated by Chaney's many questions as to why her brother looks the way he does while I focus on what to do. Long story short- use emergency kit I keep with me, doesn't work, 911, ambulance, vomiting, lasting way too long and needing a shot to stop it, hospital, Lisa breaks down crying in front of her daughter, Chaney freaking out but keeping it contained pretty well, nurses find out it's her birthday and track down a cat that meows, did the trick for her, me, still a slight wreck (I'm by myself folks), grandma arrives to pick up Miss Chaney, Ryan sleeping and recovering nicely, Jason arrives hours later, we go home a couple hours after that. Flu or something similar to follow for the next 3 or 4 days.
He is doing well now.
After a rocky late morning/afternoon (at least for me) Chaney and I made cupcakes with cherry frosting and had a nice evening together with our family. Celeste and Taylor made it home from Thailand that afternoon, just in time to sing and eat cake. Chaney had a great day nonetheless and I was very relieved of that.

Just the Boyz

Chaney had the opportunity to spend a week with her Great Aunt Gina and cousins for a whole week! She had such a wonderful time. THANK YOU SO MUCH, Gina, for the much needed R & R.

The boys had an evening of wrestling with dad. Good times! Ryan thought it was hilarious and cool to climb all over Jason.

Fetch, Addy!

Celeste (Jason's sister) and her husband Taylor are away for 6 weeks in Thailand and while they are away we have the pleasure of watching their sweet dog, Addy.
Celeste, this video is for you. Don't even think for a minute that we didn't exercise your dog. Just look at the energy expended here while she runs to retrieve the ball!

Some of my accomplishments

Things in bold are what I have done. Ashamed? I think NOT.

1. Started a blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument

Try this out. It's actually really fun to see what you've done. It also makes you think about what you want to do--so just copy and paste, then bold the things on the list you have done.

Inclement weather

Due to the crappy weather we are having I thought it appropriate to get them all rain hats. They work great and keep your hair looking as fresh as the moment you left the house!
You too can own this adorable head gear available at your nearest Dollar store.