Happy Easter!

Our Easter was cold and rainy. It Rained all day. I was so bummed because I got the boys the cutest outfits to take wonderful Easter pictures in. You know, the ones where they are outside searching for Easter eggs with their baskets. Layton wont be doing these types of things much longer so I feel like I am running out of time. He already seems to be humoring me to say the least. But the weather had different plans. Cold , rainy and very windy. I couldn't have even faked it if I wanted to. So pictures were taken inside. And I wasn't feeling inspired in anyway. And the kids just wanted to eat their candy. Posing for pictures was last on their list of things to do. Don always hides the baskets for the kids. A little tradition he is continuing from his childhood. He always does way to good of a job and they always seem to get discouraged. I usually brake down and give them a hint and Don gets mad at me like I ruined the fun. My hints do normally send them straight to it but I just can't seem to help myself. Most of the candy is already gone. I don't think they had a real meal until dinner. There aren't many days where they can get away with eating candy for lunch. All in all, it was a fun family day.

The sister for the day! (A little note for Tiffany)

Hey, Tiff! I've been anticipating your birthday all week. I knew it was coming and I made a mental note to remember for your sake. Yesterday was one of those busy days. Lots to do and get done before I leave to go out of town. But I was amazed at how often my thought turned to you. Just mental flashbacks of childhood memories. Random thoughts of the time we will be spending together here soon and the excitement that would follow. And then that would send me wondering how you were holding up and how you were feeling. It happened for most of the day and I hadn't really put 2 and 2 together until I was talking to mom. She happened to mention that it was your birthday and my heart sunk. I scolded myself for missing it. For not taking better precautions to insure this wouldn't happen. What gets me the most though is my subconscious was trying to tell me and yet I was to busy to listen. At least I was thinking of you on your special day. So in a way I felt closer to you. Which I am grateful for. I miss you and long to be with you. Another reason why I was thinking of you so much yesterday, I'm sure. I hope it was a good day. Heaven knows you deserve it. One of the things I admire most in you is how Strong you are. It hasn't been easy for you with your health and also the kids health. But you seem to take it all in stride. With a smile even. I admire that. I love you Tiffany. I can't wait to see you and get my fill of you. I don't see you nearly as much as needed so I have to stock up when I can.. Happy, Happy birthday! I love you so much!! See you soon!!!!!!!

Spring has come!!!!

This is how I know it's warm outside. When I'm wondering where my two younger ones are and I look outside to see them in barely nothing playing in the woods. It's a cute sight to see but I have to be honest. I'm tired of trying to keep them clean and inside. I have always loved the spring time. It's my favorite time of year. And the weather is the best part. Not to cold not to hot. But now I find myself excited for the cooler days or rainy days. So I don't have to give the boys a bath 3 times a day. How sad is that. Boys will be boys, I know!! Man, I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Next you'll see pictures of me playing in the mud!!!!

HAHAHA!!!........right!.....Sorry! That would never happen. But I have been known to play in the rain from time to time. Now THAT is what I call fun! That will be the next photo shot for sure!

These pictures were taken after the first bath.

Brigham and all his different faces. He was telling me something but I have no idea what. I was completely mesmerized by his angelic face to recall anything.

And this is after the second bath!

Such busy little boys. But oh how I love them!!! We broke down and got locks for all the doors. It has gotten a lot easier. They hate it but I LOVE it!

Just for you Dad!

As a gift for my Father on his Birthday I decided to give him one of my favorite memories. I also know that this is one of his favorites because it's a classic. However, I'm not sure if he has ever herd me tell it before. I'm expecting that this will be fun for him. So here we go.......................... MY 16TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

I am the oldest in my family so it was a big deal when I was legal to drive. Obviously for me but just as much for my parents. I was grateful that my father was just as excited to get me a car as I was to get one. Our priorities were a bit different however. I was looking for something more like a Honda Accord with maybe 5 years under its hood. And my Dad was looking for something that was 2 bolts away from dumpsterville. He found it..........A Volkswagen bug that was in serious need of some help. He seemed to be very confident in his abilities to fix it up just right for me. I on the other hand wasn't so confident. But being the good daughter that I was I didn't want to shatter his excitement. So I went along with a smile. And in all honesty, the thing that kept me going was the fun, cute look that a valkswagen bug has. Something different. Why be like every body else right? So it was bought. My Dad decided that my birthday was a perfect time to go pick it up. We piled everybody in the mini van and headed for the freeway to down town Columbus. When we got there the green bug was parked in back of an old house with grass growing around it like it hadn't been moved in years. It wasn't the best way to sell the thing to me. I was a little nervous to be driving it. Anyway, The next thing I remember is my Father driving, me in the passengers seat next to him and my sister Natalie in the back seat on our way back home. My mother and the rest of my family were following behind us in the Mini Van. It was dark by this time and it started to rain. Once we got on the freeway my Dad put the wipers on which failed to work. The car would barley go up to 50 mph. And when it did it sounded like it was being tortured to say the least. We pulled off of our exit and as we did so, my mother behind us starts honking her horn over and over again frantically trying to get our attention. When my Dad looked behind him all he could see were flames. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE!!!!!!!! He pulled the car over immediately and yelled at the 2 of us to get out of the car. My poor sister was in the back closest to the fire and trapped behind the two front seats that were refusing to cooperate and move forward. My Dad scrambled to get her out and then ran to the back of the car to the engine. He pulled up the tiny little hood and flames started bursting out at him. He took his jacket off and started hitting at the flames to smother them out. Meanwhile my mother runs to the nearest restaurant and calls 911. My father succeeds in smothering the flames, with some help from the rain I'm sure, just in time for a big fire truck to arrive. It looked to me like my father was a bit embarrassed standing next to the engine shifting his weight a lot while talking with the firemen. Later I found out that the tags on the licence plates were expired and he was worried they might find out. I was watching all of this from the inside of the mini van wondering what was being said . All of the sudden they all start looking around on the ground obviously looking for something. This is when I noticed a few very good looking firemen and decided that they obviously needed my help. When I got out into the rain I asked what was going on. Apparently my Dad had put the key in his jacket before he started trowing it around, thrashing it against the flames. The Key had to have fallen out of the jacket, on to the street or near by. Everybody was helping to search for a shinny metal thing in the dark and the rain. As I was helping to do the same I was excited when a few of the "cute" firemen wished me happy birthday with a sympathetic smile. I don't even remember if we found the key or not. This tragic night turned out wonderful in my eyes after that. Best birthday ever as far as I was concerned at that point. A tow truck was called and I rode with my dad in the tow truck as we headed home. Soaking wet and a little worried about my future car, I gave my Dad a big hug. My 16th birthday adventure was over. But that wasn't the end for my little green bug. My dad kept his promise and made it perfect. Well perfect enough for me anyway. And there are many many more adventures that I had in that little green thing. I loved every minute of my time spent in My bug. It was a great car.

So there you have it Dad. My version of the story. I know that you tell it so much better then me and maybe now you have a little bit more to add when telling this classic tale to others. Thanks for the memories Dad. I had a wonderful childhood filled with love and adventure. What more could I ever ask for. Your my Hero! Then, now and always! Happy Birthday!!!!

Cupcakes for dinner anyone?!!!

I always wish for a perfect April fools prank to come along. One that isn't hurtful or harmful but full of fun. One that would knock your socks off. My usual target is my husband. I would love to catch him off guard. But it has never happened. Mostly because I forget the stupid day altogether until April 3rd or 4th. Obviously to late. Yesterday, I was at the store picking up a prescription at the store and talking to my Sister Natalie on the phone. She just happened to remind me then of the special prank day. And immediately I was disappointed that another prank day had come with me not prepared. She said she always wanted to come up with a silly dinner to prank her family. I figured since I was at the store I could make this happen. So our plans went into motion. We both decided on the same type dinner to prank our families with. I got all the ingredients and was smiling from ear to ear in anticipation for my "evil" plan.

I decided to make the kids a fun after school treat to start off the food fun. I made mud pudding, and put in a few gummy worms for effect. I took plastic cups and filled them with the messy stuff. Then I told them on the way home from school my elaborate story of how I inquired cups full of mud and worms for them to play in. (Only boys would buy this I think) They immediately came in and went for the usual after school snacks but stopped short when I pulled out the cups of mud for them to play in. At first they believed me but one by one their little noses bent down to smell the sweet mud and it was decided that this was something better. I still had to remind them that this was not to play in but to eat. Brigham didn't listen putting real dirt in there for, what I can only imagine, was for more flavor. He didn't get to participate as long as the others did. He was a mess.! So great!! I had fooled them. Layton even told Dad of the awesome snack prank that I had pulled. Always a good sign for success. Now on to the second part of my plan.

The kids were asking what was for dinner and I had suggested cup cakes. They looked at me like I was lying. Asking if I was "for reals" as they put it. I said sure why not. The only problem with this was now everybody was ready and willing to help me with the cupcakes. It was hard to keep them out of the kitchen. and when they saw meatloaf in the cupcake holders they started to catch on to my little prank. When Don came home he was just playing along and waiting patiently for dinner. He was hungry and I'm sure he wouldn't of cared what I served as long as it was edible. When I started dividing the mash potatoes into 3 different bowls for food coloring, my prank finally took effect. That's when every body came in to sample the sweet frosting as they always do. And mash potatoes with food coloring looks a lot like frosting. So little fingers would go in to take a big taste. One by one you could see there disappointment that it wasn't the sugary stuff. Kelland was the funniest. After his bit he looked like he was going to throw up. But once he knew what it was and what it was for he enjoyed every bit. The kids were excited to have a funky dinner. I was excited that I pulled it off. And Don was just excited to have something to eat. I was surprised that all of the cupcakes were eaten. And I only had one. I swear it was because they looked like cupcakes. They wouldn't have eaten as many if it looked like meatloaf. and boring mash potatoes. It was fun. A dinner to remember. I have a funny feeling that I will be making this meal again here soon for birthdays. They enjoyed it that much. In all the commotion though, I forgot to yell out April fools! What a bummer. Now I'm just a crazy lady who likes to experiment with food coloring.