outnumbered

side note... randomness.. I found this picture while blades was digging around in the junk drawer... it made me laugh.. wanted to share it with you!! it was a windy NC day in May of 09

last night it was video game night with a side of pizza...no bedtime

tonight it was nerf gun wars... dad included

they are in the bath after playing outside most of the day.... washing the sweat and dirt away..

camden decided to pee outside today.. ( maybe he forgot we have toilets)

went to the pet store and camden insisted in us getting a rat... ( um no.. )

Camden says to me today at lunch.. "mom.. we need some boys around here."

I tried explaining that there are plenty of them around here, and reminded him that I was the only girl in the house... ( and of course Kyndal which they mentioned...)

I think its time for a girls night out! Who's with me?

the bath is probably running over as we speak ( or type)... dad's supervising.. don't worry..

a Merry Christmas forsure

what a day.. i am exhausted at the moment, but some delicious tamales are steaming and I must wait for the goodness to finish steaming..

It started last night as we tried getting the kids to bed early.. they were excited to get ready for santa and I had never seen them brush their teeth so fast. ( believe me it was short lived)
They slept in our room with bells on the door in case we had intruders... or extruders... those trying to exit before the right time.
They couldnt understand why we werent going to bed.. cause we had told them theyd better get to sleep so santa would come. We set our alarms in case we fell asleep, and they eventually went to sleep.
Camden woke up at 5 to use the potty and just wanted to see if Santa had eaten his cookies that we had made for him. I told him we'd have to wait til the sun was up and when Case woke up we would check it out. 7 came along, and they had held out long enough...
What a fun day. They were super excited about all the goodies and gifts. Camden and Case passed out the presents to everyone and we opened them... everyone takes a turn.. it takes a while, but its more fun that way... they jumped into the pile of wrapping paper and boxes for a traditional camera shot.. and we played ALL day long.
Had a wonderful dinner, watched toy story 3 atleast 3 times.. ( thanks Aunt Camie and Uncle Neil) theres lots more to remember and write, but my brain is done for tonight...
Merry Christmas ALL!

An Early Christmas gift

Where do I begin??

One of my "featured friends" on my last post is here visiting with her hubby and mom. Camie and Neil got the best gift yesterday at 11:46 am...
a baby boy... straight from heaven.. he was placed in their arms thanks to a selfless young woman who made them parents...

what a wonderful day. I was able to see him minutes after he was born. He is tiny tiny.. 5 lbs.
He gets to have his first sleep over tonight!! at our house...

can anyone ask for a better gift.. cause I believe whatever is under my tree just got "trumped" by him....

that's what friends are for

Do you have friends that you arent around all the time.. but as soon as you are together.. its like you didnt miss anytime together?? I have great friends who I feel that way about....

Here is one of them... Camie.. we attended the same HS for 2 years, and years later became friends.... Wow... what a great friend!! Her family treats us like we are their family. We look forward to spending some time with them in the next few weeks.
and another... Amorette... we have known eachother since we were 4 or 5.. We grew up in the same ward.. attended the same schools... and got in lots of trouble together as kids. She lived around the block, so it was easy to hang out with her. Last weekend, she and her hubby were sealed in the Las Vegas temple. Their son Trevor was also sealed to them. Talk about a special day! I wouldnt of missed it for the world and was happy that we got to share with them this day....

Last night I went out with some friends and did some last minute shopping. I am about done on my list, but found a few treasures.

You should of seen the 4 of us... Target first.. standing in the aisles chit chatting... dodging other shoppers ( who were actually shopping).. a coke... Rolos.... dollar section... comparing Santa lists... and Santa gifts.. and how to put what out from who... wrapped or not to wrap? The kids are all in the carpool, so we heard what they wanted from Santa... we compared again...

all without kids.. that was the nice part...

We didnt start our adventures until 8.. that way kids were almost in bed, and hubby's couldnt say much about us out for hours...

Next stop was Ross... who doesnt love that store? Attention Ross customers.. it is 10:55... please bring your final purchases up to the register..

We all decided we were hungry.. it was now after 11.. we dont live in vegas anymore.. stuff closes here in the Q.C. Jack in the Box it was. We visited til they closed at 12. Fun times.

I was tired this morning as my alarm went off for my kiddo to get ready for school... but it was well worth the missed sleep to spend it with friends..

I have met wonderful friends since we have moved here and feel very blessed for that. I miss my friends in Vegas... but luckily get to see them often too....I'm one lucky gal!

Dear Santa.. we've been good.

This is what we have been up to... getting ready for Christmas... enjoy the mass of pictures..

Case and Camden visiting the temple lights in Mesa

Cori and the boys at the temple

Blades and the boys


an attempt of getting a family picture in front of the tree

first attempt at the picture...

The kids writing letters to Santa and taking them to the mall to drop them off in the Macy's mailbox..

Camden really concentrating on his letter

Case a little irritated...?

getting ready to send the letters off

... and they're gone






We spent the weekend in Las Vegas visiting with family and friends. My dad dresses up like Santa for my brothers ward party. The kids were so excited to see him. Camden saw him come in and got a bit confused when he looked familiar... like grandpa... I told him it was our little secret and not to tell the other kids. Grandpa helps Santa.. cause he is one busy man... Case had no clue at all that it was Grandpa... Santa it was :)

Camden and his cousins in awe of the magical grandpa..



Since we were visiting early... the kids even got to open presents early.. They were super happy..and now want to open all the gifts we have under the tree....

Case opening his scooter

Camden and his scooter... an item on his list :) Santa must of spoken to Grandpa and Grandma

The kids on thier new scooters... Camden in his nightshirt..

( he will hate his picture in years to come. but loves nightshirts)

Grandma Pat, Grandpa, Camden and Case with thier pillow pets..

Is my dad not the cutest Santa or what???

All the kids....my brothers kids too...

Jake, Camden, Austin, Santa, Kyla and Case

while it bakes

I have banana bread in the oven to take with us to Vegas for some gifts. it smells good..
Blades is getting the oil changed and a new tire for the car that we will adventure in.
Camden is playing video games
Case is watching Dora
I am waiting for the banana bread to get done so we can run to Walmart and maybe pick up a taco.
My house is about ready for potential company while we are gone...
the sheets are in the washer..
toilets and bathtub clean
vaccumed
I still need to pack
we have birdfeeders to make and a gingerbread house if we have time
Camden's Christmas concert is tonight. He is excited. He has a new tie to wear.
now the kids are wrestling.. better go be a mother instead of a blogger

Motivation... are you out there?

Dear Motivation,
I know we have spoken before. Please return my pleads.
We have a busy month ahead of us. The list of december to do's is long, and only a few are checked off.
This morning I should be sweeping and mopping. Maybe by writing you this letter, you will visit me and I can accomplish this task which I hate. Maybe if I do it today, I can wait til after Christmas to do it again.. ( wishful thinking)
One Whitekid is at school, and the other is happily being entertained by Max & Ruby, so I should take the opportunity to get my checklist done.. instead I blog.
This week is a busy one. We are heading to Vegas on Thu after Camden gets out of school to spend the weekend with family and friends.
Tonight is a candlelight service for Kyndal at the hospital that I attend the support group at.. We will take the kids, please don't climb the walls or burn yourselves kids.
I also keep saying I will walk.. treadmill or while the kids are next to me on bikes, but that too is wishful thinking.
For now, please be a friend and stop by Motivation.
Your friend,
Cori...

ps. maybe that brownie for breakfast wasnt the nutrition I needed for my tasks today.

a doll

We started Christmas shopping this week. We let the kids write a letter to Santa, and we headed to the mall to drop it off at Macy's mailbox.. We ventured over to see Santa in the mall, and to our suprise there was only one person in front of us. yeah.

As we were walking back, I noticed the Angel tree... where you can pick a child off the tree, buy a gift and turn it back in. We looked over some of the names and ages of the kids. We decided to pick a girl that was young.
Case and I were at Walmart today and found a cute Snow White doll.. the first doll I have ever bought. We got some pink princess jammies too. I am excited to teach the kids about serving others this holiday season.
Maybe next Christmas we will be able to buy a doll for a baby in our house.. ( no this isnt an announcement.. we hope to add a baby to our family soon) believe me... you all will know :)

The kids are excited about Christmas. Its fun to see it through their eyes.. they are so excited about everything. I love Christmas! Tonight we are going to Camden's school to watch Polar Express in their jammies. We are heading to Vegas next week hopefully to see a wonderful friend sealed to her hubby and son. I wouldnt miss it for the world!

We are waiting for our friends baby to arrive. Birthmom is 37 weeks. I am trying to keep up on the housework, so when they call and say they are on their way, my house is somewhat together. Exciting times...

an end

Day 30.... a long list... ( not in any particular order of importance.. just typing as it comes)



November has been a great month of thankfulness.

I am thankful for :

our warm house. two sweet boys. a great hubby. an angel baby. a Savior. A God who loves me. family. memories. making new memories. blogging. journals. bathtime. scriptures. texting. facebook. phonecalls to parents. friends. the Holidays. movies. games. anniversaries.
I could go on all night.. but i'm tired...
Thanks for the Thanks November!

a new day

29..kids that forgive

After a night like we had last night I am happy to blog that we are having a much better day than yesterday.
I stuck to my guns about time outs and made it through the day..( with thehelp of a coke)
the kids are happily in bed, bathed, lotioned and even enjoyed their first hair dryer experience. who knew that would be so fun?? It's getting cold and all.. ( i remember as a kid my mom always blowdrying my hair so i wouldnt catch pnemonia)... does that really help??
i am feeling much happier about my mothering duties.

my mom called back with some "grandmotherly" advise.. although im not sure if this is the best advise but ill take it. she told me to : treat them like they arent my kids but like kids that I would be babysitting.. i wouldnt normally put up with children in my house behaving and disobeying. that i have such a strong personality and wouldnt put up with that .. so why do i let my kids walk all over me...so heres to unmothering my kids...
ha ha.. thanks mom.. can i get paid?? since they arent my kids and all...

we had a wonderful Family Home evening watching a dvd about Jesus' birth. It was fun to see how excited the kids were about it.. and teaching them what this Holiday season is all about.

tomorrows the last day of every day blogging.. im sure you are all sick of hearing from me everyday.. but hey.. it's my blog...

let the cheer begin

day 28.. setting up Christmas..

warning: contains honest, frank behavior from me... the writer of this blog... no judging aloud :)

So with the Thanksgiving Holiday over... we had a bright idea of setting up Christmas tonight. I wasn't really "feeling" it... but decided to jump in and do it anyway... In my head I am thinking this will be so fun... making new memories... NOT HOW IT WENT DOWN ...

The kids hadn't napped, they werent listening to us AT ALL.... and I was frustrated more than ever. I was moments away from seriously having a meltdown. We eventually got the lights and ornaments on the tree...
Case inside the tree box... Camden waving fake tree branches around.. just picture it..
There was nice holiday music in the background from a local radio station, but eventually got turned off because any less noise was a good thing.. (even if it was the end of that Josh Groban O Holy Night.. the longest note ever held) the kids hitting eachother, fighting over Christmas books.. which ornament they were going to hang...

I had made potato ham soup earlier, so I warmed some up for the kids. Case ate it right up, but Camden complained about the few kernels of corn in the montage... after choking down 6 bites, they were off to brush teeth and bedtime was calling their names...

I yelled a few times and it was over. I vaccumed up the plastic greeness that had gotten on the floor.. Blades quietly put some more decorations up, as I talked to my mom on the phone. Bawling of course about how my kids dont behave and looking for a great cure for it all.. thinking maybe she had one.. she didnt.. darn..

Tomorrow will be a new day... I will hug my kids again and try it all over for another day...
for tonight I feel like the worst Christmas memory making mom ever!
( maybe since it's not December yet... it doesnt count) I hope

a few days behind

25 26 27... let the traditions begin

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

I did absolutley no black friday shopping.. partly because I had a bug of some sort which made me want to do nothing for a day and a half..

We were at the temple today with my cousin who sealed thier baby to them. What an amazing sight to see children in the temple. It made me want my own kids there ( children are able to enter if they are being sealed to parents). its not something you see... It was nice to visualize today.. an amazing morning...

Stopped by Kyndal's grave. the kids collected pinecones for Christmas decorations and ornaments. we started on them tonight.. for some reason it sounded fun til we were in the middle of pipe cleaners, glue, glitter and googly eyes.. traditions I suppose... never would i thought it would be ok for my kids to run ( reverently) around with a trash bag at a cemetary collecting pine cones... I think we will make this a new tradition

we are watching movies tonight and enjoying leftover turkey soup.. heres to a great weekend!

a hubby that cooks

day 24.. blades can cook

he made a turkey.. the best one yet.. stuffed with oranges, garlic and onion... yum.. the smells alone were delicious..

His mom makes lemon merange (sp) and pecan pies every year, so he made some here. they looked perfect..
I went to Laynes to make an apple pie.. with aunt bobijo's crust.. i even had a piece for breakfast

we are looking forward to leftover turkey sandwiches and lots of yummy pie.

we wish we were closer to family this holiday, but are grateful for friends we have to spend the day with.

sunset

day 23.. sunsets..
Did anyone in the az area see that sunset last night? It was beautiful.. Blades was on his way home from work, and I on my way home from getting a nutritious $5 pizza... and i noticed it..
Oranges, pinks, purples all over the sky..
Blades called and i knew exactly why he was calling.. i answered saying" isnt it pretty"...

I tried taking a picture to post, but it didnt save to my phone for some reason, plus picture wouldnt of captured what it really looked like..

My mom always has loved sunsets.. she loves those colors.
When michael (my brother) and I were on our missions.. He is Brazil and I in Seattle... we would send her pictures of sunsets..

There is something magical about it. The colors and clouds.. makes you feel small in this little earth.. and a reminder of a loving Heavenly Father who would make something so pretty.

twice as nice... not here

Day 22.. medicine

we spent the afternoon at the dr for Camden. He had strep throat a few weeks ago... and he has it again.. Twice in a month..poor kid.. couldnt even swallow his own spit..
so we are resting and thankfully we have insurance for 8 more days.
blades is on his way to pick up his new medication.. something stronger i suppose. and bringing us home a treat.

hope he is better in a few days to enjoy the Holidays and the yummy food that comes along with it.

rain rain..

Day 21.. Thankful for Rain

I grew up in the desert.. when it rained it usually meant flash floods..
We didnt get rain alot.. but loved when it did come
I love the smell on the pavement when it first starts to rain
I still live in the desert which still means flash floods..
We saw a rainbow this afternoon

Once as a kid it rained so hard that all of Stewart was flooded.. We came home from church and swam in it.. my brother got hives cause he was cold. it was up to his head..talk about a flash flood.. ( think of the nastyness of that water yuck.. but we were kids and it was fun)

I served a mission in Seattle which meant RAIN.. love it.. different there though.. it was always drizzling and it was cold in the winter.. like walking into the cold section at Costco cold...
I learned to love it.. wet hair and all..

This afternoon it rained on the way to Mesa.. the kids enjoyed it and wondered if they could play in it.. when we got to our destination it had stopped..

It makes me want to climb into bed with a warm blankey and sleep.. Which is now what I am off to do!

Rain Rain... stay

Sunday's

Day 20... Sunday's
Some are better than others.. all are great... especially when my kids behave at church..

the kids are all ready for Sunday.. baths... early bed.. usually i have thier clothes ready but not tonight..

I love how close our church building is now..
All of us dressed up
my kids folding thier arms for prayers
trying to be reverant for the Sacrament
teaching them how important church is
early church (9).. used to be 2... ick
a quick lunch .. we are usually starving when we get home
Sunday naps
spending time together as a family

Tomorrow this is what we will do... all of the above..
plus go to a friends house in mesa and have an early Thanksgiving..yum

family

Grandad giving Case his first haircut..

Grandma loving on Case

Grandpa Dill building with the boys

Cori and Mom

day 19.. thankful for family..

those that are near in my home.. and those far away.. I love my family.. as I get older I realize how much fun my aunts and uncles are.. i remember as kids thinking they would just sit around and talk and us kids would just play. Now I enjoy sitting around listening to their stories.

Being far away from parents makes us realize how much we miss them. Now I would love to sit down and listen to thier stories and have them closer for my kiddos to be around.

We have found new family (s) here in AZ that we rely on and are grateful for them too. We have met wonderful friends that I know we will be friends with forever.

Tonight Im missing extended family! Especially with the holidays coming up!

coke

day 19.. an iced coke
nothing like it... the ideal coke experience takes place in at sonic ... with plenty of sonic ice included in its styrofoam masterpiece. if it is between the hours of 2-4pm.. even better.. half priced drinks.. thats what i call HAPPY HOUR!

there are many other uses for the cola flavored treat...
i made pulled pork last night for salads.. ( added coke to the crock pot)
gets rid of headaches.. ( ive had all week.. but not from the coke.. probably a faulty pillow)
I hear it cleans toilets.. but i havent tried that method.. why waste a good thing?

My Grandma Welch loved Coke too.. its a tradition I plan on carrying around for quite a while.
Just the smell reminds me of her.. as she got older she saw a neighbor outside and invited them in for a coke. the neighbor went in and grandma never did.. she got distracted pulling weeds.. she did get forgetful.. maybe she just didnt want to share..

the first drink of the day is always the best.. the cold fizz you can feel traveling down your whole body.. yum!

sometimes i dont share.. with the kids.. i am worried .. especially if they are eating... that a particle of thier food might enter my beverage... creating a contamination.. yuck...

a first in 6 years

Day 17.. thankful for growing kids...
So today we are getting ready to venture out to the park.. (we've been spending alot of time there) and Case put on his own sandals..
First time in 6 years that i havent helped anyone with their shoes on the way out the door.. I was a little happy.. but also a little sad.. my babies are growing up.. they are sweet boys and love them to death. although i am exhausted at the end of the day.. i wouldnt trade these two for anything...
Camden is so sweet in his prayers and sounding so big when he says them. He always remembers Kyndal in his prayers and talks about her often.
Case, when tricked into saying the prayer likes to do it all alone.. no help. I hope they can always remember to pray.. I wish I was better about my own prayers... I will work on that!
Case and Camden.. Jan 2007 Case less than a day old.. Camden 2 1/2

Camden 6, Blades, Case 3 1/2

a good haircut

day 16.. haircuts..
have you ever gotten a haircut.. and everything else in your life feels great? thats how im feeling... Thanks Camie!
coming from two parents who are completely gray... i have no chance of having normally colored hair.. ive hair gray hair since i was on my mission.. maybe even before.. so usually i do the box of color thing.. but camie colored it this time too...

i give my boys haircuts.. and they are so cute afterwards...
my cousin stefanie asked for a pic.. so here it is...

facebook

day 15.. facebook.. call me crazy but it's the best thing... if you arent a facebooker.. get one.. ( and add me as a friend.. if i know you)

yesterday i posted a question about a picky eater and what to do with a kid that wont eat..
I had 18 comments in a matter of hours.. all great ideas..

its a great way to stay connected to those i dont see very often...
mission friends, old ward members.. neighbors.. family.. its wonderful!

I missed my post yesterday.. blades just reminded me.. so there it is... and I will post again later.. for todays thankful

weekends

Day 14. Thankful for weekends...

cooking breakfast ( more than just cereal)
no bedtimes
Neil and Camie in town
sewing burpcloths
glitter toes
a sneak to hobby lobby while kids napped
blades' cooking
a great haircut and color
good food

with friends in town we skipped out on stake conference...( don't judge me)
weekends are wonderful.. im tired though...early bedtime tonight for momma too!

bedtime

quick post.. day 12... bedtime...
its quiet at my house after a long day of saturday events. the kids went to bed without a fight and it was wonderful!
camie said i should be thankful for bedtime tonight.. she is here visiting... whew.. quiet!
now off to watch a movie and drink my sonic coke blades just brought me back...

me myself and I

Day 11...thankful for shopping with no kids

I cleaned the house most of the day.. we have friends coming in town.. so a little more cleaning than normal...
blades got home and the kids were napping,, so i snuck out... joanns for some material for burp cloths for a special baby boy that will be here in a few weeks.. (see prior post)
Old navy was right next door, so i had to stop in.. found the kids backpacks and some socks on clearance.. we will stuff that away for Christmas.
It was nice shopping alone.. glancing at what i wanted to... no screaming or fighting kids. no dirty looks from onlookers ( who i love to call out when they stare.. " look boys all these people are staring at you)...
its the small things right??

fall fun

Day 11.. Fallness..
There is something about fall.. the colors, coolness and yummy treats. heres a few pictures of us celebrating fall..
Dad and Caser with a cupcake he decorated

Camden after dunking his head in for an apple

decorated cupcake..

Case diggin into his candy pile

Case and Cori ( i hate cats and i dressed like one).. I hadnt dressed up in 10 years.. figured it was time..

Three of the cutest boys around.. Mason, Luke and Camden

Indian and pirate on our way to the fun fall party

Dad definitley gets stuck with this job... the guts.. yuck!

Ever since we went to a wedding anniversary and there was real indian dancers.. camden wanted to be an indian.. here was his costume.. i added sleeves and fringe.. beads and feathers..

Caser the Pirate...

We love the fall.. and glad it is cool enough to open windows and enjoy an afternoon at the park!

flashfloods ahead

Day 10... Thankful for grief..
Does that sound crazy? For most it is, but the feeling is coming to me less and less as time goes on from loosing Kyndal a year ago..
Today it came... like a flashflood.. out of nowhere.. ( and it felt good)
I was at the hospital visiting a friend's friend.. who is having a baby soon
( and giving her baby up for adoption to some dear friends)
she is starting to contract and they are monitoring her hoping to hold the baby in there a few more weeks..
she is on complete bedrest but when she was told she could sit up and eat she was super excited. the monitor slipped off the baby and the buzzers started going off... nurses came right in trying to find the baby's heartbeat. I sat there knowing everything was fine.. but all of these memories of me being in a hospital and a nurse searching for Kyndal's heartbeat came flooding to my mind.
I sat and prayed that they would find it... after what seemed like FOREVER.. we heard his heartagain.. and the sounds that come with monitoring.. whew... I felt relieved.
The tears came.. and my friends there were supportive in finding tissue for me.
I feel a special connection with this little guy hearing and seeing his heart beating on the monitor.. I cant wait to hold him.. maybe him and Kyndal are hanging out up there just waiting for the right time to send him down...
So today.. although i had a flood of emotions.. it felt good to cry and have those memories.

back in the day

Day 9.... wedding bells were ringing...

Our 8th anniversary is today.. so today I am thankful for Blades.. and my marriage.. He is a wonderful husband, friend and father..
We got married in the Las Vegas LDS temple. weather was much like it is now... finally cooling off.. pictures were perfect... a bit windy..
blades hadnt seen my dress before he saw me in the temple...
my mom had sewn beads onto it.. ( it took her forever).. i wanted it beaded but not too much...
we shared the day with special friends and family.
we had a luncheon of yummy capriatti's sandwiches..
we had a ring ceremony at the church before the reception, so my father could walk me down the aisle...
we danced... kissed... and stayed at the Luxor that night..

8 years has gone so quickly. I can't imagine what the next 8 years will bring us...
I love you Blades!!!!

lazy dayz

Day 8... Thankful for lazy days sometimes...

Camden has had a cough for the last few days. he woke up with a sore throat, so i didnt send him to school..
we had a lazy day... lots of cartoons, snacks, movies...
I am one that loves to go.. i love to just go to go.... but once in a while its nice just to hang out with no hair done... no makeup.. and just hang out for the day..
today was one of those days..
( although it's 4, and i'm bored!)

bathed baby boys

Day 7.... today Im thankful for bathed kids

although this picture was taken probably two years ago... theres nothing like the smell and snuggles you get from two clean bathed kids..

the baby lotion, ( which i dont use any more) but did forever!!!

their wet hair across my face..

theres not a day that goes by ( except sometimes friday nights).. that my kids arent bathed..

maybe i should be worried about their dry skin from too much water exposure.. but for now..

they need a bath every night.. they are.. um... BOYS is the only word.. sweaty, dirty boys..

although they fight over who sits in the front.. is there even a front to the bathtub??

who gets out first.. who has to clean up the toys..

my boys are clean!

on a sidenote: i love to bathe too! everyday.. showering messes up my hair.. and a bath is much more fun!

temple

Day 6...
We attended the temple to celebrate our anniversary. I cannot think of a better spot to be.. remembering that special day almost 8 years ago.... because we were married there... we will be a forever family... so after we die.. we will all be able to live together... which also means Kyndal is ours forever.. in the next life.. ( this one too.. she just left early) That alone brings peace to us. What a loving Heavenly Father who loves his children enough to make a way that we will have our families forever!

celebrate good times...

Day 5....
Today I am thankful for him... Blades... this boy that I married 8 years ago..
We are celebrating our anniversary (eighth) this weekend. ( actually on tue the 9th) Our outing will include: the temple, lunch, and who knows what else...
2010 July Yellowstone Lake

Nov 9, 2002.. our wedding day..

California somewhere.. at a mexican restraunt

April 2009.. at Tara and Eddies wedding in NC

no need to laugh at my list

Day 4.. Today I'm thankful for :
1. The day is going by quickly and the kids arent fighting too much..
2. Oprah will be on in 10 minutes..
3. Volunteered in Camden's class today.. the kids are so cute.. and the teacher... I'm not sure how she does it all..
4. A husband at work.
5. Grey's Anatomy on tonight.
6. Ross, Target and Kohls.. i stopped by today before the kids had to be picked up from school. I bought camden a new pair of pants for school and a neighbors wedding gift..
7. The weekend to celebrate our anniversary... 8 years!
8. 2 clean toilets
9. a dusted front room
10. Toy story playing in the background.. what a clever movie..

east coast folk

Day 3... I am thankful for Blades' family... Although they live far away.. North Carolina and Virginia... we are able to stay connected through facebook and phonecalls. Blades' mother always remembers the kids... she is always sending them trinkets for the holidays... she is so thoughtful. Blades' dad loves his grandkids. We love every minute we spend with them.. especially when it is at the cottage in Kitty Hawk... the beach is beautiful.. and the company even better... We sure we wished we were closer to eachother... but the vacationing is great!

Eddie, Melanie, Blades and Tara ( blades' brother, sister and sister in law)
Grandad and Camden after catching a fish

Grandma reading them a story.. at the cottage.. all the cousins jammied up after a long day of play in the sand and sun

Blades' family...

what boys are made of

the 2nd day of my thankful list includes these guys:

Camden at his back to school fair.. he ran off and found this creature.. that is a huge frog!
Case and his cute smile.. backward shirt and all

jumpin

A house full of boys sometimes looks like this... all ready for battle.. church ties around their heads, amo loaded and lots of noise..

Camden ready for battle..

Blades and the boys

the hunt... dad was found!

Where could he be??

Camden found.. in the closet

The littlest battler... one of the cutest!

Today I am thankful for them.. they bring me lots of joy.. all three of these boys..

dirt, sweat, kisses, hugs... all of it I love.