Pirate Ships

I walked into my boys room to this sight:



They told me that they were building a pirate ship.

Apparently they found it necessary to empty ALL dresser drawers in doing so. They also felt the need to remove all bedding from their beds and relocate the mattress. REALLY?



At least they're creative with their mess making skills.

Preschool Graduation

It's really hard for me to believe my Jackson just finished his 3rd and final year of preschool. I so vividly remember that day, well over 3 years ago, that I first dropped my then barely 3 year old off for his first day of joyschool. That morning he cried and cried when it was time for me to leave. I thought we had such a long road ahead of us, with kindergarten so far off. Time has flown and now he is a big, independent, capable, almost 6 year old, ready for bigger and better. He has had the most fabulous year at his preschool where he has had swimming lessons, tennis lessons and tumbling along with mastering all he needs to know to start school.

And, me. . . I think I just might be able to let him go this coming fall knowing that he is ready for all that awaits him.


(Lola loved the bright yellow frosting on the cupcakes at graduation and thought she should wear it on her face!)

Being The Dad

I constantly talk about my kids on my blog but rarely give any blog attention to my awesome husband. On Tuesday night I had Young Women's at my house and Nate was so great to get the kids out of the way for the evening. I thought he'd do something like take them to Borders to read books or maybe to the pet store - you know, something I would do. But when the garage opened later that night, Jacks, Miles and Lola all came running in so excited about the hike dad took them on. A HIKE, I said??? This is something I would never fathom doing alone with my 3 kids and would only ponder momentarily if Nate was volunteering to go with us. Afterwards, he took them to the gas station and let them each pick out a treat and a drink. Dads can get away with things like taking kids to the gas station for treats. If I was to do it, they would try to make it a daily habit.

I'm so grateful that Nate is such an amazing dad. He balances my order/routine-crazy-self out and gives the kids things that I can't give them (even if it does sometimes makes me feel like the totally un-cool parent). He's always so very willing to give me the breaks that I need so that I can be a better mom. And for all of that, I am thankful.

Dinosaur Days

One of my kids favorite places to go is the Dinosaur Museum in Ogden. Today was Spring Break so we ditched Logan and met my mom there. The weather was BEAUTIFUL and it was so nice to get outside and do something different.


Jackson doing his best impression of a dinosaur.


My cute boys


Lola loved running around - and I mean RUNNING. We were lucky to get her to stop for more than a second for a picture.


Lola and my cute mom. She is the best granny and always up for going on adventures with us. I love her and my kids ADORE her!

My Baby with her Babies

Lola spent about an hour and a half tonight, plopped in the middle of my bed surrounded by ALL her babies. She read books to them, cuddled them, gave them drinks from her sippy, etc. I know you moms with girls think nothing of this sort of thing, but it's all new to me and I love it!

Where is the Love?

On Tuesday afternoon I was sitting on the grass enjoying a tiny bit of sunshine while Jacks and Miles played in the sandbox together. All was going well until I heard a small crash and looked over just in time to see Miles bulldozing Jacks' city that he had built. Then came the lovely sentiment from my oldest, "Miles, you're totally ruining my life!"

When I pictured being a mother 6 years ago did I not picture moments like this. I pictured all the kids, lined up in a row with spotless matching clothing, staring lovingly at each other (and me) as they engaged in all sorts of productive play.

But then yesterday, Miles fell off the curb on his bike and started to cry. Jacks, from 2 houses down, drops his bike and breaks into a dead sprint to pick his brother up off the road. Never mind that I was standing a mere 10 feet from the sprawled out boy, Jacks was there.

I guess that's what most of my days are made up of. Little moments that are either bad or good. It's just a matter of finding a way to cling to the good ones in order to get through the bad!

Easter Sunday

Here are my best efforts at getting my kids posed in their Easter Sunday best!







We went to church with Nate's parents and then had dinner at their house with the whole family. It was so great to be all together and the kids had so much fun with their cousins.