"New Beginnings" sometimes cause us to trip up!

Okay I think I mentioned in a previous post that Madison tends to injure her face more than any other part of herself... well here we go again. Her Ipod startled her while she was on my new treadmill (yes I have been inspired by my siblings health improvements) and she tripped and burned her face on the running rubber mat- along with her arm. Just a couple of days later she sang for the first time with Young Women's for New Beginnings.

Madison hasn't gotten on the treadmill much since the unfortunate incident, but I have- it's awsome!

Just call me Hans Solo

Went on a trip to Idaho again with just me and the kids over spring break. If James can wear the big boots I can drive solo to Idaho to see my fam- right? Hollie and Joe were both looking fantastic (note the tinge of envy in my writing). They've been doing a biggest loser competition through work and they are both making better food choices and working out. That box of Ramen is not an idicator of what they've been eating. While we were in Idaho the big boys got to go camping with Uncle Sean. They got to do donuts in the truck, roast stuff over the fire, tell ghost stories, etc. They had heaps and gobs of fun (thanks Sean). While the boys were roughing it, the girls (and baby boys) ate at Red Robin and shopped. Everyone went to an aquatic center together before we left Idaho that was awesome. We had lots of adventure on our Spring Break, but it went by quicker than a Jedi.

Spring Flowers

Here are the shots I had to bribe the kids with park time to get. I love flowers and children together in photographs. The sun was too much for Carter while I was taking these pictures and he almost died from squinting, just had to let ya know...

Nice day? Go OUT to play!

When the weather up here is beautiful we naturally gravitate outdoors. We love to monkey around at the parks. Welcome Welcome Spring and warmer weather- We have missed you!

Calling All Chickens

Grant's choir show this year was a Barnyard Moosical and he made a great chicken. He was a bit embarrassed to sing out and do his very best. When I asked him why that was he said he still doesn't like doing animal parts in shows (GO back to Dec.09 Nativity post for more insight). I had the funky chicken song they sang stuck in my head for a whole week following this performance. "Doin the funky chicken, c'mon yo, doing the funky chicken dance..."

Delivering Valentines to Idaho Cousins

Jeremy and I took the kids to Idaho over a four day weekend in February. I love that we live close enough to them that we have options like that. Once again the kids had a super fun time and were not ready to leave when it was time to come home!

Tea and Sweets

Here are the boys at their various school activites. Carter had a Tea Time with DAD for Valentine's day. The class did a Peter and the Wolf skit and Carter was the Stage manager. It was funny seeing him give out pointers to the cast members during the play. He's also showing us his human body art complete with labeling system. Carter has loved labeling things ever since he was about 4 years old. Grant ate nearly all of his Valentine Day candy the day he got it at school. Do any of you remember the Noo-Noo vacuum from the Teletubbies that sucks up all the food or unwanted items while making a fantastic sucking noise. Well that's how Grant's candy went down.

Lovin the PJ's, Lovin the Curls

Okay these are Jamesy's "sausage" pajamas. Jeremy refers to them that way beacause he thinks James looks like a little stuffed sausage in them. Jeremy does bath time with James nearly every night since he sees him for such a short time (James is usually in bed by 8:00) and Jeremy loves to put James in the sausage PJ's. What he doesn't love is James's long hair. He keeps saying.."This boy needs a haircut!". I am the haircutter extraordinaire round these parts and I'm lovin the curls James has right now and I don't want to cut his hair short. I've actually named my persona that cuts hair "Trish". She likes to gossip and is sort of an airhead, but she gives a great haircut. She has been cutting Jeremy's, Carter's, and Grant's hair for years.

Egyptian Art

I've been teaching art once a month at Madison's school. February's theme was Balance and the art project involved making imprinted Egyptian Sarcophagus Tombs. After making the imprint the kids traced and colored over their design with Sharpies. I've been doing the art docent thing since October and I really enjoy it. I just tend to procrastinate in planning what we're going to do sometimes. Luckily Madison's teacher doesn't mind my fly by the seat of my pants attitude!

Girls just wanna have fun!

Here's Madison with the big birthday party she's always wanted. She went with about 10 of her friends to the Bainbridge Island Pool and had a fun-filled birthday. The girls played the "What IF/Then" game, did the present thing, and had some cake (BTW Costco's chocolate sheetcake is way better than the vanilla). Then they jumped in the pool for some swim time. I'm so grateful that all my kids are fish so I don't have to worry about them at the pool. Jamesy hasn't learned how yet but I'm sure his bigger siblings will help him learn.

Ready, Set, GOOOOO!

Carter had fun racing his car at the Pinewood Derby. It was neat to see how different all the cars ended up looking considering that they all start out as a boring chunk of wood. Carter was awarded the "Best Sportsman" of the night, and came in fourth place overall. Not too shabby considering that there were about 30 boys participating. Everyone got a fun twinkie car trophy and an award of some kind at the end of the night. I think Jeremy and Carter enjoyed working together, and will continue to do so when working on projects in the future. Maybe build some furniture next boys? Or install some wood flooring?

TWELVE at last!

Here we are partying at home for Madison's 12th birthday. She gets to have a bigger pool party with her friends at the end of the month. Besides getting her ears pierced she was pleased to get clothes, an iTunes gc, and lots of books. I got her The Thief, Goose Girl, Ender's Game, New Moon, Eclipse, Catching Fire, and a couple more. I can't wait for her to finish some of these books so I can read a few of them. Carter helped me with some creative decorations to make the place look festive. Happy Happy Birthday Madison Dear- We Love You more with each passing year.