A time to keep

Making my momma proud!

2012-02-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

MOM I did it!
Your great efforts in teaching me have not been in vane.
It just took 25 years but here it is
better late than never

I sewed something!

And their was no swearing involved!
Swearing is not in my usual daily routine.
But, I confess sewing in the past has lead to some questionable behavior on my part.
Usually with a little bit of tearing out my own hair, tears and totally frustration with possibility the item being sewed flying across the room!

Oh wow! Now I have given myself away
You all thought I was just always so calm and relaxed.
Now you know the truth.

One of my new goals was to sew...

a pillow
and I have sewn 2 actually
I'll have to show you the other one.
It's even cuter than the first

burp clothes
I'd seen a picture for these about 2 years ago and I've been wanting to make them every since.
They are super easy and totally cute!

And a skirt!

Isn't it cute!

So is the model!

Totally cute right!
She loves her new skirt.
And I'm actually have fun sewing!
I know shocking!
But lets not get too excited.
They were probably 3 of the easiest sewing projects EVER!

three

2012-02-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

It's harder than it seems

Really.....

Have you ever tried to get 3 brothers, who are all cub scout to take a picture at once.

They DO NOT want to smile or look too happy.

They don't want to be too close to each other.

They don't want to even look at the camera.

Beside the fact that they are simply goofy.

But I did it!
I deserve a medal!

For about 10 weeks. All 3 are cub scouts!
Jared 10
Alex 9
Tyler 8

Crazy!!!

And looking at these uniforms I have to take off patches and put new ones on.

ordinary day

2012-02-07T21:58:00.000-08:00

We just keep going around here!

We are half way through the basketball season.

They are loving it!

I find it pretty low keyed compared to soccer or baseball!
Which is nice!

They move too fast for good pictures.

Growing up is hard to do!
Tyler willingly gave up his favorite blanket and put it in the garbage himself.

IF
you can still call this a blanket!

He slept with it every night of his life!
But is was time.
Good bye blanket.

Cute toes.

Happy, sunny day!

Static hair

The weather has been so beautiful lately we are getting spoiled and forgetting it is still winter.

random moments of our week!

2012-02-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

Very busy, crazy week!

lots of fun thing happening!

Our George isn't featured enough on the blog

poor old thing

he is going blind and deaf

We love him!!!

Still adorable at 13+

Elizabeth is rocking the headbands these day.
We were at Wal-Mart and she picked up a rainbow package of head band.
"OH! I need these!!"
and since her Grandma gave her money for Christmas!
she bought her first fashion accessory!

My baby is sleeping in a big bed!

I'm making stuff!
It so fun!
I'm loving these burp clothes.
Even I can make them!

Making dinner with my best girl!

She has found a new love....
horses!

Cupcakes

Cupcakes!

More cupcakes!!!!
The chocolate were ok
but the strawberry and the mint cupcakes were fabulous!

The cupcakes, flowers and the burp clothes were all for my friends baby shower
Which even though I took my camera.....
I didn't take pictures.

See what I mean
She has total style!
And I'm so sad
her pink tutu dress is getting to short

Pretty!

This picture is too orange, but she is cute!

OK this wasn't suppose to be the Elizabeth feature
but she is the only one who lets me take her pictures.
I can sometimes convince Tyler but Jared and Alex hide from me.

The beautiful tulips never made it to the shower.
I put them down
turned my back
Snap, Snap, Snap
"Look mom pretty flowers!"

5 tulips lost their heads

Hope you have a happy weekend!

Snazzy dresser!

2012-01-29T18:22:00.000-08:00

Ms. Elizabeth has a style all her own

She loves to get herself dressed!

Yeah!

And try as you might to have her wear jeans or the cute outfits you've (me) picked.

It's not happening.

She will just change herself.

She loves skirts, only skirts.

We only get aways with leggings under them if we call them tights.

And she loves color!

We are not sure what to call her style.

It's a bit eccentric.

What do you think bag lady, bohemian, artistic?
Whatever, at least she is cute!

Baptism

2012-01-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

Aren't they cute!

Today was Tyler's baptism and it was wonderful!

He was so cute and excited!

We had a nice simple program.

I cried. But everyone knew I would.

We had friends and family with us.

Perfect.

Happy family

Cousins and friends.

It was a wonderful day.
We love you Tyler.

this and that

2012-01-27T13:45:00.000-08:00

After a week of sickness and then a week of snow we are trying to get back to "normal" around here.

After a couple weeks of Elizabeth living in the dark, daddy fixed her light!

Yeah dad!!

Elizabeth helped make brownies!
Well sort of.

We've been playing lots and lots of Sorry lately.
Its fun! We play a version on the original game.
We deal out 5 cards to each player. Then when its your turn you play from your hand then draw a new card.
It makes for a much faster game!

Jared loves this little girl and she has him wrapped around her little finger.

He may be embarrassed but I LOVE that he stills sometimes sleeps with Froggy! His most special stuffed animal, he's had him since he was 3!

We have another cub scout!

Oh wow, dirty windows!

I have started some projects!

And I really like this picture!

It looks bright and springy.

Elizabeth picked out new sheets for her big bed!

Polka Dots!

Jumping on the bed!
Don't worry the walls are going to be painted soon!
A more girly color!

I made Elizabeth a pillow for her bed!

She loves it of course!

the snow days continued....

2012-01-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

All week!

The boys were out of school all week!

The Northwest was declared a state of emergency!

Snow, freezing rain, power outages, and flooding!

We really only had the snow and rain.

And I must say by Friday the magic of the snow was over.

We tried to keep busy.

Elizabeth has found a new hairdo!

All accessories in the hair at once!

Tyler lost interest in the snow after he plowed into it face first!

Drying by the fire!

you must make cookies while snowed in!

Elizabeth never warmed up to going outside to the snow!
We brought the snow to her.

But she did like her boots!

Today we are back to normal weather.
45 degrees and all the snow is melted.
I guess are little snow vacation is over.

Snow days!

2012-01-17T15:40:00.000-08:00

And it begins....

Day 1....
Around here and inch of snow is a big deal.
We had a little more than an inch.

Day 2

Elizabeth and I enjoy our snow indoors!

Day 3....
NO SCHOOL!

Alex made us breakfast!

With a little help.

Chocolate chips!

Off to sled!

End of day 3 and more snow falling.
It amazes me how this town comes to a screaming halt with snow! Everything closes, church, school, my doctors. We all just stay in our homes by the fire and do nothing!

The great 8!

2012-01-17T10:29:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday Tyler!
8 years old already!
Too fast.
But it's here and it was...

"THE BEST EVER!!!"

Yes! A new bike!

You knew she had to try it out too!

And we are off!

The party!
Tyler was so excited to have his party ON his birthday!
Tyler really does have the best birthday parties.
He just has a giant play date.
He invited his friends over to have a Nerf War!
Brothers and dad, and sis joined in.
Tyler and guests against the Johnston 3
(mom took pictures!)

The war went all over the house!

The battles were great!

Break for trampoline

and pizza!

And presents!

Guess who gets to clean up!

Back to the war...

Casualties....

Cake time!
Love this picture!

More jump time!

Interrupted by the snow...

Tyler has great friends!
We love them!
Even if they try to be tough with the Nerf guns!

They shoot the camera woman!!!!

a new sport

2012-01-17T09:52:00.000-08:00

Technically Alex has played before, if you can call kinder ball a sport.

But really.....

Basketball is new for us!

Great fun was had by those who played.
And I enjoyed being warm during a game for a change!

OK so the picture doesn't show it but he really was having fun!

Tyler plays in a different level than Alex.
And wow what a difference.
There were almost as many adults on the court as kids.
And it is boys and girls.
Tyler, my very sweet Tyler, spent most of the time standing in true form with his hands in his pockets!

He had a great time too.
And every once in awhile took both hands out and handled the ball!

So just a couple weeks of basketball to help us through the winter boredom!

the week

2012-01-12T14:55:00.000-08:00

This week is not really inspiring me for 2012.

In fact if its going to continue this way, we can be done now!

This is how my week went....

Thursday

It's not a great picture.

It's taken at the ER,

where I took Jared because he had a rash and couldn't swallow his breakfast

Now this is the only picture Jared allowed.

Trust me he looked worse before he looked better.

But since Jared didn't have a fever, they gave us some Benadryl and sent us home.

In the meanwhile....

The school calls

Alex has a 103+ fever.....

Alex looked like this for much of the next 2 days.

Now I do have to say we had a moment of peace.
Sunday everyone woke up.
No fevers since early Saturday morning.
Jared had his rash but we had been assured it was nothing.
We went to church probably exposing all of our closest friends to this nasty thing. Sorry friends.
Sunday night comes.
We are happily play a game when Jared starts looking ill,
really ill, he could hardly keep his head up.
Fever!
We keep him home Monday.
School call.... come get Tyler..... fever over 102.

Tuesday morning...midnight
Jared calls out, fever 104+, call a friend to assist in a blessing then, trip to the ER.
ER says its a virus their is nothing they can do.

Tuesday Eric comes home to take care of the sick ones so I can go to Physical Therapy.
I come home to....

2 more sick ones....
Eric slept nearly 24 hours
Elizabeth had a fever and stomach flu.
Not fun.
Wednesday..
Everyone to the doctor.
Yes its a virus nothing they can do but they also have a bacterial infection resulting in horrible ear infections.
SO antibiotics all around!

This is about the best thing that has happen.
She cuddled!!
She doesn't do that much anymore.
Too busy!
It's been a week.
We still have Tyler and Jared home both with ear infection and today is the first day their fevers have been under 102! Eric and Elizabeth still sleeping lots with fevers and chills.
And me....I'm ready for a nap.
Giving out meds every few hours and little sleep is taking its toll, but so far I'm not sick.
I hope to keep it that way!

So I'm not really trying to complain, but really please can we move on from this?

more art!

2012-01-11T16:01:00.000-08:00

I know I just did an art post,

but really she just loves it.

First thing in the morning.

Usually before she even eats.

Very serious about her work!

She loves it!

2012-01-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth got an art easel for Christmas.

She loves it!

She draws all day long.

She hasn't even noticed yet that it has paint and chalk too!!!
I think we will hold off on the paint!

It comes down

2012-01-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

The Christmas season went fast this year.

Faster than I was prepared for.

Even with our nearly 2 week vacation, Christmas didn't seem overwhelming like it has in other years.

In fact I haven't been wanting to let go.

It was really just a relaxing happy season for me.

Most years I am ready to take down the decorations, and even stop listening to Christmas music.

But this year I am finding it a little sad.

But with the tree starting to die it was time to take it down.

SO down it comes.

Miss Elizabeth was my best help.
She loved sorting all the Christmas balls.

And it's all down except for my stars.

I'm still loving the lights at night and I'm not ready to take them down!

New Years

2012-01-06T20:41:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

I'm finally catching up!

We spent New Years with the cousins!

The little girls were adorable together!

Hours of Beyblades!!!!

Combination of Nerf/Ninja/Star Wars!

Jared and Taylor Swift!
Thanks to Audrey!

The Crab Feast!
A Johnston tradition.
Crab, Crab, crackers, cheese a few vegetables and more Crab!
This year we had to manage without Gran and Pops.
We missed them.

Food, Family and Friends!
The perfect way to spend the New Year!

Random

2012-01-06T20:29:00.000-08:00

The last few days in California were a little quieter.

"Elizabeth's" Nerf gun arrived.

Notice daddy is helping her.

Grandpa tried to take the boys out to see some geese. The paper said their were thousands to see.

They didn't see any.

Daddy is learning how to do Elizabeth's hair.
Well not exactly.
She found grandma's curlers and wanted the pretties in her hair.
He couldn't quite figure it out!

Always the little helper!
She wanted to help Grandpa!

We had a great time in California!
Thanks Mom and Dad!

Adventures with Eric

2012-01-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

Our family has lovingly named to day trips "Adventures with Eric"

They always have a tendency to be....

well,

an adventure.

One that never goes exactly as planned.

Something along the lines of discovering a new trails or driving off the end of the map

Or in this case taking 4 kinds of transportation to visit a Natural history Museum!

1. The faithful Blue Chevy Suburban,

2. The Bay Area Rapid Transit of BART!

3. The San Francisco Subway System

4. And the San Francisco Bus

I have to say the adventure was great!

We loaded into the Suburban drove to the nearest BART station. Rode into down town, transferred to the subway, hoped off walked across the street and got on the bus which stopped right in front of the California Academy of Science

Which according to my son was AWESOME!!!

Besides the very cool T-Rex.

They have an aquarium, rain forest and planetarium!

I love this picture!

I got in trouble for taking this picture.
I really didn't see the signs NO PHOTOGRAPHY!
oops

Golden Gate Park!

It was a really awesome day!

We did have a slight problem on the way home.

We got on the wrong bus,

but after a long ride through China Town we changed buses and all was great from then on.

Adventures with Eric are awesome!

Christmas

2012-01-04T18:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas morning has arrived!

Waiting for everyone...

Some are not as happy as others.

Did I mention not everyone was excited about getting up.

NERF GUNS!!

Tinker Bell!
Now she's excited!

Months to prepare

Moments to finish!

The only picture I captured of all of them
and no one was looking!

Off to church!
Really isn't she cute!
Thanks for the beautiful dress Grandma!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.
Ours was perfect!

and the vacation begins!

2012-01-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

I don't have a lap top that I carry around with me

So I had no way to update my blog while we were on vacation.

We were gone 11 days.

WOW!

Our drive down was...

how can I say.....

LONG.

It usually takes us about 16 hours to drive down

this time

20+

You can't really tell in the picture but if you look close you can see the veins popping out on Alex's forehead.

Yeah that's how we all felt.

We had to sit 3 in the middle
1 in back because Alex was in such a fit!

Poor dad
Trying to block out the screaming and the singing of Justin Beiber's "BABY"

Without fail every hour...
I GOTTA GO POTTY!
We stopped at every rest stop on I-5

But we were rewarded when we finally arrived at Grandma's
Ice cream!
Grandma never disappoints!

Christmas Eve, what did you do?
We planted flower bulbs for Grandpa.
Only in California!

Yellow Roses blooming!!!!
Again only in California!

Priceless!

Domino Temple

Alex traveled 900+ miles with his army men just so he could build fort at Grandma's

We forgot our stockings so we got some new ones.
Elizabeth was so thrilled that she keep putting them on everyone!

The nativity story
How does he read with his eyes closed?

The stockings were hung....

Santa we are ready!!!

our attempt

2012-01-04T08:05:00.000-08:00

I usually send out a christmas card.

Not this year.

It just didn't happen.

Sad right!

This is our attempt at a "diy" self photo...

Jared was willing

Others soon came

Helpful isn't he

Everyone together, but really just not a great shot.
It's fuzzy, Jared looks stuffed into the picture.
But it was the best we had, and I had planned to send it out
but now I'm over it!

Maybe I'll still get around to it.
What's the next holiday?
How about a "Love Letter" for Valentine's?

Favorite moments

2012-01-02T12:15:00.000-08:00

So when I started this I thought I'd just pick a couple highlights of the year.

There are so many!

I couldn't choose my favorites!

But these are some of our happy moments of 2011!

Lets have an awesome 2012!

Sweets!

2011-12-20T17:36:00.000-08:00

A night with friends and lots of yummy yummy sweets!

OK there was some healthy food.

But who wants to see that?

For the last couple of years we have hosted a cookie exchange party.
Everyone brings their favorite cookies.

I make my favorite (these mint brownies)
I also make 4 or 5 other kinds.

I look forward to this party every year!
I love to invite my friends to our home!

Do you want some cookies yet?

I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends I have in my life.

Merry Christmas!

OJ

2011-12-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

What are you going to do when you buy a 20 pound box of oranges to support a local fundraiser

and with out knowing it...

so does you husband?

That's right!
You start squeezing some yummy orange juice!!!

It so good!
4 little oranges make the perfect glass!

Kind of random

2011-12-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

So there is really no rhyme or reason to some of these pictures.

This one I just liked!

Elizabeth loves her gloves. She can put them on herself which amazes me. I think the boys just barely figured that out like last year! OK Maybe longer than that, but certainly not a 2.
And yes she has her PJ's and coat on!

Alex's 4th grade program "The North Pole Musical" was a big success. Each grade puts on a program each year. singing/acting/dancing. I figured out that I have been to 12 so far in my children's school career. This was one of the better ones. The kids really look forward to it. Alex was relieved to NOT get a part! So my kid! It's hard to get a good picture when there are 75 kids on stage but he is mostly center in this picture!

After the program its my family tradition to go out for ice cream.
We went to Baskin Robins!
Who knew it was so hard to get a good picture of 4 people?

After 4 attempts I gave up!
And yes one is missing.
He um, was correcting his behavior!

Look for Rainbows!!!

2011-12-13T11:08:00.000-08:00

I think it must be a good sign when a rainbow appears in my cinnamon sugar while I'm baking cookies!

I don't know about you but it made my day!

Getting smart!

2011-12-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

I'm learning!

We had our great tree finding adventure a few days ago.

The next step.

DECORATE!

I for years have had great need to take control of the tree decorating experience.

This year.....

I took a step back!!

Aren't you proud!

I hung the lights while the boys were at school.

Then I let them go!

Alex accompanied us with festive carols!

Little miss took charge and ordered everyone around.

Alex organized his ornaments.(they are in order by year)
I'm so sad this year he thinks he might want a new kind.
But they are so cute.

Jared eventually joined us.

So pretty!

My favorite thing!

2011-12-06T14:01:00.000-08:00

I love getting the tree!

Not just getting but going and cutting down!

I was so excited!

My kids and my husband put up with me.

They love to tease me.

But I like to think secretly they love it too!

Eric suggested we go to Home Depot and pick up an already cut tree.

What was he thinking?

We would miss all the fun of hiking around acres and acres of trees finding a perfect tree than moving on from it just in case the next one might be better!

There was a slight hiccup in my plans, as the place that we have gone for the last 9 years has closed.

I had to find a new tree farm.

Let the adventure begin!

They were being so cute!
I caught this mid fall.
Very difficult trekking through brush and holly berries.

Brothers are always there to save her.

Forests, the best place to play army.

Night was falling fast so we had to hurry.
We also needed to pick up the pace because Elizabeth had been screaming since her fall.

We did find the perfect tree!

Poor Eric,

He loves me!

I usually take a family picture with the tree.

I didn't get the family picture .
Oh well.
Elizabeth and I enjoyed the fire while the boys took care of the tree.

We finished up with our hot cider!
Love this adventure every year!

Decking the halls

2011-12-01T15:42:00.000-08:00

I love decorating for Christmas.

Always have.

I use to get so excited to decorate my moms house and she always let me!

Here is a quick look so far!

Favorite.
I love vintage glass ornaments.
They remind me of decorating my Grandpa's tree.
I buy them whenever I find a good deal on them.

impromptu night

2011-12-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

Monday night my good friend invited us to dinner about 4:30 by 5:00 we were at her house enjoy a yummy dinner!

After dinner my friend turns to me and says "Gingerbread houses?"

Why not?

So with 8 kids and tons of candy they created their masterpieces.

Elizabeth ate more than she decorated.

Sugar

And more sugar.

Afterwards the kids were possibly a little sugared up, but they all started "dancing"!
Really it was hilarious.
I wished I could have recorded it on video.
The best I got was this fuzzy picture of the boys running away.

Had I known we were going to to do fun things I would have taken my camera. My phone doesn't really take the best pictures.

But that's why it was a fun "impromptu" night!

I DO IT!!!!!!!

2011-11-28T14:45:00.000-08:00

Our house is fully emerged in the world of toddler, again.

the words

I DO IT!!

are often heard ringing through the house

what is scarier is she often doesn't wait for you
In fact a 2 and a quarter our little Ms. Elizabeth Grace is pretty much independent!

I came around the corner to find HRH making her own sandwich.

I captured this before she saw me!

She is such a poser

She got out the jam.
Still wondering how.
I didn't know she could open the fridge.
She also got out the peanut butter
and climbed the kitchen to get her plate down

She cleans!

I did try and offer a knife.
There was no having that.

Yucky hands

Washed her sticky hands are her own.

And back to enjoy her work!

She is so very proud of herself!

fall is falling

2011-11-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

Island living is so windy.
The last of the maple leaves are trying to hanging on.

I actually went out to take pictures of leaves on the ground....
but there aren't any they have all been blown away.

My favorite flower has now turned an amazing shade of blue!

It use to be first green, red, then pink, now blue.

It will eventually turn white then dry into browns.

Isn't it beautiful!

I am perfectly willing to change seasons.
Not necessarily to winter but definitely to Christmas.

I bought these jingle bells.
All the kids love them.

I love them too!

they are so pretty!

I also picked up these bright sparkly ornaments.

Then I turned them into this beautiful sparkly wreath.
Makes me happy!

I can see a few holes in it now that its hung but I have no problem buying more ornaments!
I think it looks a lot better in person.
You should all come see it!
And don't worry, I got that hot glue strand that is hanging down off!

I am ready for Christmas!
OK not really ready,
I have a wreath up,
but I'm excited for it!

Happy Holidays!

Thanksgiving

2011-11-26T23:17:00.000-08:00

I'm back!

For now anyways.

iphoto is still not loading but I'm using a trial of Aperture.

Which is just a fancy iphoto.

OK way fancy its fun!

I thought I'd post about Thanksgiving.

Then later I'll go back and play catch up!

The Thanksgiving prep started on Tuesday!

I made the pie crusts

With my beautiful helper.
Wow!
I love those eyes!

Wednesday we moved on to the actually making and baking of the pies.

Again with my faithful helper.
She loved eating the apple pie filling!

I also made the bread for the stuffing.
And yes it was totally awesome!

Then comes the big day!!!
We were half way through the meal when I realized I hadn't taken pictures all day.
What a great photographer I am. NOT!

Sorry for all the photos of miss princess.
She is just way cuter than anyone else!

We had our neighbors from our other house over and their son.

Really its apple juice!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Good company and good food!
And many many things to be thankful for!

Sad news

2011-11-20T18:12:00.000-08:00

iphoto is down.

It will not open and I am so sad.

I can't access my pictures.

I can't load the pictures from my camera to my computer.

So no blogging until I get this figured out.

This makes me so sad.

I have such cute pictures just waiting on my camera.

So we will just have to wait.

Hopefully I will get this figured out soon.

A quite afternoon

2011-11-12T14:44:00.000-08:00

Remember this picture?

Well these buttons are my mom's.

The last time I was home she gave them to me.

I was so excited.

I use to sit on the floor next to her while she was sewing and sort them.

I LOVED IT!!!!

I know I'm crazy but I love to sort.

Well one day after school my kids were very worked up.

CRAZY!!!!

The jar just sits in my kitchen window.

It's a happy thing for me!

Well, I picked it up, handed to them and said "play with this".

One kids eyes lit up! Maybe 2 (You guess which)

The others just looked with kind of a blank stare.

But soon they all got the hang of it.

They all picked out their favorites!

It kept 4 kids quiet for over an hour while I cooked dinner!

They were even sad to have to clean them up for dinner.
A great afternoon spent.
No TV, no craziness, no arguing.
Just 4 sibling playing with each other, nicely!
Happy moment!!

Halloween!

2011-11-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

A week has already gone by.

WOW!

So fast.

Well Happy November!

We did have a great Halloween.

We had some good friends over for a yummy dinner,

And of course jumping on the trampoline

then Trick-or-treating with dads, I forgot to get a group picture. I'm very sad about this.

Jared here was a self made Ninja!

Moms stayed behind to pass out candy with the cutest 2 year old EVER!

I learned that my front porch was VERY Scary. I didn't think it was scary at all. But we did have some scary music going and it apparently frightened quite a few. Even big kids. I did look scarier in the dark.

Jack-o-lanterns all a fright!

Then it was home again for the annual viewing of "Nightmare Before Christmas"!

While eating mass amounts of candy!

And of course to eat crab.
Because who doesn't have fresh caught and cooked crab for Halloween?

More trampoline time!

And off to bed for a very tired cupcake and her friends!

Already planning next years party! Who wants to come?

Hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween.

Bring on the Holiday Season!!

It's the best time of the year!!!

Time is....

2011-11-01T12:54:00.000-07:00

going so fast!!!

But for me that usually means I'm having a good time.

This is what we have been up to.

We carved pumpkins!

Smart this year we did it in the garage.

We usually do it at the kitchen table.

What have I been thinking all this time.

So much better to not worry about pumpkin guts on my floor.

Besides we dad uses power tools to help carve!

The princess wanted in on the action.

Our pumpkins were so thick this year.

Someone told me once that it means we will have a cold winter.

I hoping it just meant we had a cold summer!

The 4th grades erupted 100 volcano's on the elementary school playground.
Alex was very happy with his. He worked hard and he loved painting it.
But sadly it had a problem erupting at school.
He held back his tears but I could tell he was so upset.

He tried again at home and it worked just fine!

Go figure!

And I had a birthday.

These are some of my favorite things.

A nesting set of 3 jadeite bowls!

And a granny square afghan!!!!

And soccer has come to a close!

We had such a great season.

Tyler's team was undefeated.

Alex's won 7 lost 1!

We are proud of both teams.

Both teams had such great kids on the team!

They were so fun to watch. You could tell the kids were having fun.

We are so happy that they worked hard, learned a lot and had fun.

Jared is finished with baseball as well, but I have no pictures of that. Jared's team only won one game. But he loved fall baseball!

Pumpkin Patch!

2011-10-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Fall is my favorite time of year.
I love the colors.
And just about everything!
I love going to get pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.
Eric doesn't really enjoy it.
So this year we went with out him.

It was a beautiful day
Everyone selected a pumpkin
And we even got one for dad!

She had to do it herself.
ME DO!

Then the kids were told they could run thru the corn maze as long as they wanted to!
Which was awesome.
The maze was technically closed so they were the only ones!

Beautiful!

Happy Fall!

Little miss

2011-10-18T14:38:00.000-07:00

Ms. Elizabeth is really my best helper around here.

Not to be mean to the men folk.

But really....

she sweeps, moves the laundry from the washer to the drier, puts laundry away and not just hers everyones, loves to wipe all services with Clorox wipes, helps wash and put away dishes.

And she sings and dances while doing this!

It's amazing.

I love it!

And yeah, none of the boys do that.

They clean only under duress.

Then about once a day she yells out "POOH"
situates herself on the couch

and waits for you to put Disneyland Fun in.

Happy Girl!!