May

May was filled with the end of the school year wrap ups.  Part of that was celebrating any summer birthdays, so we got to go into Janessa's classroom and bring treats and then she got put in the spotlight.  She held a globe in her hand and walked around "the sun" once per year she has been alive.  At each year I had a picture to show her class and told them what she was like at that age.  It was so adorable and the kids were so respectful and interested.  It really made Janessa feel special! Thank you Ms. Debbie!  It made such a positive impact on Addie, I had to pick her up and carry her out of the classroom kicking and screaming!  She'll have to wait for Kindergarten another year!

Can you guess what these eggs are? Quail eggs.  They are really quite beautiful and each one is different.  These eggs were abandoned and didn't make it (especially after Addie and her little friend carried them all over the back yard....I think they got dropped a few times too!).  But BJ and I found another nest, this one with a momma carefully guarding her eggs. Hopefully we'll be seeing the adorable marching line of baby quail and their parents soon.

Our old next door neighbors and dear friends moved to Wisconsin at the end of May, but not before we were able to go ice skating and swimming together...all in the same day!  It was a great day, full of fun memories to keep forever.  Julia, we miss you!

At the end of April, BJ's Dad and Mom came out and we celebrated his Dad's birthday.  The kids taught Grandpa to play the Wii...it required a lot of patience on his part!  But he got quite good at it, even with Hannah  correcting his every move!

The adults even got away for an evening out.  It was a blast! I don't think we've laughed or heard such great stories in quite a while.  It was an evening never to be forgotten.

Grandpa and His Girls

New House

Many of you have requested pictures of the new house.  To that I must say: Patience is a virtue people. I was moving for crying out loud. As I type this I am doing so over mounds of boxes screaming to be unpacked! So I hope you all (and you know who you are) appreciate this!  Here they are...

This is a picture of the backyard looking right. Don't be fooled, all that green....WEEDS!  But yours truly spent a majority of the morning tackling them and they are almost cleared out.  That's for you, Babe! Now you know I must really love you!

Can you hear the Superwoman music playing in the background? 

Looking to the left...

a fire pit, BBQ grill and patio for some serious summer night BBQ's with the friends and family that make it here to see us (no pressure). We hope you know you are welcome anytime!

Someone requested a pic of the pool. 

There it is just because I love you... there is a water slide for the kiddos hidden behind the rocks.

The kitchen-To use BJ's terms, "This is where the magic happens." Hmmm... 

Family Room with a cut out our TV is too big for (Really?) Those cutouts are made for bigscreeens, but BJ had to have the biggest.  Funny story about that TV.  BJ put it in the back of the suburban to get it here. But the back door wouldn't shut. So guess who he put back there with it to make sure THE TV didn't fall out and hit the pavement...

Yep, Yours Truly again!  I actually enjoyed being crammed in there...I got to wave to all the happy people behind me.  Nevermind that the picture I painted was the reason they were smiling!

"You know you're a redneck when..."

Living Room (aka Special place for the piano)

Thank you all for the pressure to get these out.  Now you can come and help me unpack!  In all seriousness, thank you for your interest in our lives.  We love you all and are so grateful for your ongoing love, support, and friendship.  Life wouldn't be as sweet without you in it. 

Catching Up...

JANUARY I couldn't get rid of the running bug altogether and have crazy friends who like to find events of torture to join for fun, so in January I ran a half-marathon in AZ with my friend Jennie. We had a blast and are ready for another adventure to conquer! My long time friend from the good 'ole college days came south for some thaw time and as murphy would have it, it was freezing and rainy!  But to them it was still warm enough and lacking snow so we ventured out to a RR park and our local park to feed the ducks. We had a great time catching up and I am anxious to see her and her newest addition soon!

FEBRUARY: We met another long time friend in Newport Beach, CA and toured Disneyland for a couple of days.  It was so fun to get to hang out and talk in person, eat some junk food, and of course enjoy the chaos that is Disneyland with our 6 children, all 7 and under!  Thanks Sue and Steve!

MARCH:  Jennie came out for a couple weeks to thaw out, see her parents, and of course let the kids spend lots of time playing (yeah, we do it for the kids).  We had a blast together and although the two of us with our 7 girls always catch some glances, we went out anyway!  I'm ready for another GNO Jennie! Hurry back!

Other than lots of playing, we continued with school, piano lessons, fighting, getting along, hiking, walking, biking, and generally enjoying the wonderful weather.  Brynlee is growing up quickly and we often see her put all kinds of things on her head.  And yes, this is how we carry babies in our house!  Keeps the blood flowing to the brain!

Merry Christmas!

It was very merry! We spent some time in the Rockies with family and had a blast (and froze)! I think the high while we were there was 18 degrees. Toasty. But we still sent the boys out with the kids to enjoy the snow!

We made gingerbread houses, some good...

...Some flat.  But just as yummy!

We made cinnamon rolls...and fun memories

Aunt Cami made matching jammies for everyone, but Ethan, the ONLY boy in this girly family was not thrilled to take off his helmet and Batman cape!

We got to spend a lot of time with Grandpa and even spent Christmas Dinner with Uncle Todd and Callahan!

It was a great festival of fun and we loved seeing many of our friends and loved ones! We hope yours was just as wonderful and filled with the joy this season brings.

Brynlee's First Steps

She did it! Brynlee was standing up near me as I was folding clothes. I opened my arms and she took three steps to get to me! There's nothing like that first step.

Happy Halloween!

Fall brings the Pumpkin Patch, Wonderful Weather, Face Painting, and the ward Turnk Or Treat! We enjoyed them all--and had a blast!

We stayed true to our roots and dressed up as Bronco fans...Brynlee was a Bronco's cheerleader. She wasn't quite sure what happened to her parents, but she hung out with us the whole night anyway. The kids raked in the candy...those pumpkins are full!

"All I want for Christmas is..."

It is fun to hear her try to talk. When people ask her how she is going to eat corn on the cob or apples, she frankly replies, "I'll have my mom cut it up!" We love you Hannah!