Teenagers are Great!!

On Lizzie's Birthday, Uncle Mikey gave her a Target gift certificate for 100 bucks!  she was super excited so late in the week, she and I went on a date! and I have to say we had the BEST DAY EVER!  We laughed and teased and talked and laughed some more!  We shopped, had ice cream, lunch and then went to go watch Breaking Dawn!  The Final movie in the Twilight series.  My baby girl is now 13.  A teenager and she still likes hangin out with me...So far I'm likin the teenage years!    I know she had a great time too because the next day she leaned over to me at church and "Mommy,  I wish it was Saturday again..."  Me too baby girl, me too.

And her Favorite Color?

oh we have more choices,  but for some reason,  we always run out of red....

Our Gratitude Tree and a Bear

This year I wanted to try and make a cloth tree.  I'd seen something like it and so it took a while to get the tree up this year,  but we still did pretty good in filling it up even with the late start!  of course it helped when Stevie realized he needed to make some for Molly, Toffee and Pumpkin, Our pets!  'I am thankful for Bones and my Frisbee, love Molly." Stevie the Dag whisperer.

At the end of the month, Jimmy got his Bear award.  he has great leaders who worked hard to get him through it,  lets face it,  he was in it for the fun.  But they pushed him and when they couldn't, they made the activities fun so he had a great time and made it through!

Birthday Celebrations Galore!

Elizabeth and Jimmy,  who share the same birthday, decided this year, they both wanted their very own birthdays in their very own styles! Since it was a 'big' birthday for both, we decided we could do this.  Jimmy, turning 10 was an all boys late-over bash! and Lizzie turning 13, was a  friends only Minute to Win it night.  They both were really fun!  and they both thought theirs was the best party they ever had so yeah fir me!  :)

I was not prepared for the all out knockdown wrestling match that occurred when I turned my back for a minute!  its was crazy.  i was starting the party off with some minute to win it games and I turned to reach for the cookies for the next game and it was on! They earned tickets for the games and they used those to 'buy food and treats for the movie in the back yard. If they needed more tickets, they had to do something to 'earn' more, like sing "I'm a little tea pot" or tell a joke.  (this turned out to be very popular)We had hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and treats! They watched Avengers,  when we started to loose them,  Steve pulled out his official light-sabers (they really light up and make all the right noises. Pretty cool).  a food fight broke out at cupcake time too. An All Boy Party was harder then I thought,  but Jimmy had a great time so that is all that matters.  and everyone he invited came!

Elizabeth wanted a nighttime party of all Minute to Win it games with a homemade Pizza Bar.  She invited 19 friends from school,  but because of how crazy life was this month we got the invites to them only a 8 days before party.  and then I forgot the Address!  we quickly added that with stickers on the back and then after they were delivered, we realized we had the wrong RSVP Phone Number!!!  so i sent out an 'Oops! card with correct info and said a prayer.  I was so afraid no one would come!  In the end 5 friends came and it was a perfect number.  they were all so sweet!  They started the night playing Just dance on Wii and then we started Games,  so much laughter and silliness it was great!!  We finally took a break from all of that to make their pizzas and then they watched some of Brave the movie outside under the stars,  but mostly they just laughed and chatted through it all.  :)  We did presents and then more Just Dance while we waited for pick ups.  Lizzie's friends were just so sweet and they each gave her really sweet thoughtful gifts!  I was so pleased and best of all she had an amazing time and I know she will never forget her 13th birthday.  My only regret is I never got a picture of her with all the girls.

Happy Birthday Dear Sweet Elizabeth and My Ever Sassy Little Man.  I Love You Both So Much and Thank My Father in Heaven for the Blessings of You in My Life.

YW in Excellence!

The beginning of November was our Young Women in Excellence, the girls were all asked to choose a value and do a 10 hr project on it.  Elizabeth and her partner Brookly, chose Faith and they made a video.  It was so beautiful and I have to say I was really very proud of her.  they interviewed many people like  sweet little kids, the YW Stake Pres. and our Bishop, and asked them,  " What was Faith?" and "How do you show your Faith?"   It turned out really amazing.  I love my dear Daughter and I will always be proud of who she is, and the Young Woman she is becoming!

Family Visits!!

Our Dear Friends from Vegas, might as well call them family, the Jentez! came to visit us the week before thanksgiving!  what a fun time we always have together.  We hung out,  went hiking. and then a quick visit back to the Ghost town,  for some souvenirs!  We Love Our Family!  We get to go  Vegas to ring in the New Year!  Cant wait!!

The Great Carrot Caper!

Daddy has planted a wonderful garden in the backyard,  and the harvest was last month....But guess what was hiding behind the apricot tree....

Pumpkin Patch

In October we went to the local Pumpkin Patch with Jo's preschool.  we had a lot of fun!  when we weren't lookin for Katie that is.  Jo is a wanderer and this trip was no exception.  all open area and kids running like crazy.  And then off she goes!  finally her school teacher,  my friend Alicia, whips out one of those kid leashes! I have never used one of those before but it was great! ( for me.)  Jo wasn't as impressed.  Stevie had the day off so he came along.  All the kids love him, so he was super popular!

HaPpY HaLlOwEeN !!!

Halloween October 2012  was a very fine year.  We had lots of fun and lots of opportunities to wear our costumes!!  We had a really fun Ward Trunk or Treat that Lizzie was the wicked witch in the Haunted House. and then we went Tircik or Treating in the neighborhood while Uncle Mikey gave out Candy at the house.  So Fun.

Lizzie 12 (almost 13) was a witch at the party and an Angel with real feather Wings on Halloween. she was an Angel last year as well, but she loved it so much and all we needed was new wings! Typecasting for sure.

Stevie 11. He was "I am NOT a Happy Camper."   he had a squished skunk on his chest.  a lizard biting his elbow, a bear claw mark on his back, bandaids everywhere, and he sat on his s'mores.   It was definitely unique,  but he sure got tired of explaining it at every house. ;)







Jimmy 9 ( almost 10) Took the longest to decide but ended up being a Ninja because he wanted the swords!  goof. :)

Katie Jo 4 (just turned!) wanted to be Rapunzel from Tangled, and since she has the hair, we made it so!

Mom and Dad went as very boring again this year... We really need to up our game around here.

Happy Birthday JO!

Katie Jo Marie turned 4 years old on Oct 25th!  This is the only picture that came out as my camera is dying again.   We did all of her favorite things on her Birthday,  In the morning, she went to preschool and gave out treats (white chocolate covered oreos with Sprinkles that Jo made!) at her party for her friends, then we picked up the other kids from school early and had a genuine Kaite Jo Day!  McDonalds lunch/play area.  Hanging at the library ( we have a super fun Library with a play ground and a castle!)
then off to have a picnic dinner in the park.  then home again for presents!  she got her first bike, and a princess tea set, and some cupcake dolls, and playdoh.  oh and of course a red cake with red frosting and a cherry on top! ( her request as red is her very favorite color)  we settled for red velvet with cream cheese and red sprinkles.  :)  I sure do love my baby Girl.  You truly are my Sunshine.

Pumpkin Patch!

Katie Jo's preschool had a field trip to our local Pumpkin farm.  They had so much fun and Stevie came along to help.  We had a blast Posing for pictures,  Picking Pumpkins, and riding on all the rides great fun in the Sun!

Its the Leaning Tower of Plastic Cups!

 "Mommy! come see my giant castle!"   She was so proud, that she had collected all the plastic cups in the kitchen to create her leaning tower of cups.  Some of these cups she had to climb up on the counter to get into the cabinet to collect.  others came from the dirty dishwasher.... Guess I better hide the china for the next  master piece!

Boulder Stevie

That's the Nickname they gave Stevie on his school football team.  he has never played before, but we wanted him to try a team sport and Football fit the bill.  he is a lineman. A guard.  and he is good.  Oddly enough, no one has been able to hold him yet!  ;)   Go Boulder!!

Whats for Dinner Mommy?

Its Chick season again!  and thanks to Molly and a bad storm we were down to 3,  so my soft hearted Hunny came home with some fluffy little chicks.  Adorable? Absolutely. Delicious? Looks like the Gang thinks so!   Thats Molly even, on her tippy toes in the upper right.  Chicken Nuggets anyone?

How Do You?

This is how Jo watches TV

This is how we take a Nap (you know, that we dont need anymore)

 

This is How Pumpkin and Molly watch the bird

                       This is how we look when we have cheesecake stuffed Starwberries for Dessert!

Another Camping Trip!

We actually had so much fun on our last camping trip we decided to go again!  on a Holiday weekend no less!  We beat the crowds going and coming, which was great but the 3rd day got a a little too crowded and the kids seem to be crashing so we packed up before the big crash hit and we made it home to collapse and whine...perfect timing!
 

Everyone doing the Favorite Camp stuff! Daddy Cooking Yummy Food. Jo in the dirt playing with Buggies. Stevie Explorin, Lizzie Reading in the shade and Jimmy James with his Pocket Knife!

I brought games and activities so we had lost of fun, during the 'down times'.  soap for wittling. Ring pops for the winners of the scavenger hunt and a target for the knife throwing lessons.

It Rained the first afternoon,  for about 15 minutes, but a real down pour.  made for some funa dn we were well protected so it just added to the fun!

Katie Jo and Mommy

This last Sunday, my sweet JojoBean looked so darn cute I just had to take her picture!  and then well, I wanted one with her too!  I love you my little Sunshine.

Impromptu Camping Fun!!

Daddy came home from work on Thursday nite and said "I wanna get out of this heat!'  he loves camping and we needed some family time!  We had everything pretty much already, so Friday morning off we went to Payson.  Its a good 20 degrees cooler always, and its pretty much green so two bonuses for us!  I am not such a fan of Camping and Fishing as Steve is,  usually the dirt/dust and stinky bathrooms super far away, not to mention the ants and bugs, are more then I care to handle,  but I love hanging with my family!  I was lucky,  it rained the day before so all the dust was gone and the bathroom had just been cleaned,  everything else, I just dealt with.  ;)  Honestly,  it was nice, really nice. Too bad my camera batteries ran out early.  But i sure am glad to be home and clean!  :)  Lizzie and Daddy built the giant tent all by themselves!!

New School Year!!

Its that time again,  School started on the 8th of August for us.  I have to say I was completely sad about it too.  I mean here I am trying so hard to be excited for the kids, and all i did was weep all day long till they came home.  :)  Elizabeth started 7th grade JR High this year.  Its at the same charter school as the rest of them so lucky for me and travel time.  Stevie is in the 6th grade and doing math in the 8th grade class...Yep! he is that smart.  crazy huh?  The teacher in there totally loves him so I sure do hope he likes it.  Jimmy is in the 4th grade and well,  he came home after the first day and said he thought they made a mistake, his teacher was supposed to be in the kindergarten class....He said they took a tour of the school, you know, that they have been at for 3 years already and wrote the ABC and ABC sentences....By the time he came home, he said he had a twitch.  swell.  Jimmy is truly remarkably smart, but his behavior and choices have gotten in the way of his learning in the past.  Last year he had an amazing teacher who pushed and didn't take crap.  it was wonderful for him and he really excelled.  looks like I am going to have to be one of the Parents that is in the office looking for changes.... Already.  ugh.  My beautiful babies are growing up way too fast!!  speaking of too fast,  JojoBean started Preschool today.  So cute!  she didn't want to go,  but then I showed her the cute treat she was bringing to share and then we couldn't even get her to stand still for a picture!  crazy girl.

Unlikely "Friends" :)

This is a nightly adventure for little Miss Pumpkin.  Not sure the birds are as happy about her 'diligence'.  Thank goodness our animals seem to all get along, you know, except the birds.  ;) Pumpkin and Molly and Toffee all play pretty well together.  Hopefully, Pumpkin doesn't figure out how to open the cage!

Dino Museum!!

No matter how many times we have been my kids still love coming here and we could easily spend 4 hrs everytime!  Too long for me,  but they could! :)  they change up displays all the time and even move them around so my kids love doing the 'search for.." game.  Today they had a new display.  Jimmy was sure it was a Giant Dino Poop.  yep!  and he was so happy to be able to climb right into it.  but it turns out it was in the landscape/environment room,  so this is not a giant turd, but a volcanic rock formation....Jimmy still wants to say its poop.

All are Welcomed!

Or so it appears!  ;)  A couple of days before we left for our Summer fun in California, our good friends found a kitten that they couldn't keep.  A cute little loving orange kitty.  So they brought her over so we could be tempted, lets be honest.  Well this little ball of fur can hold her own with Miss Molly, our Dog and she has even gotten Toffee to like her.  its so fun to watch them all play together.  I dont think Molly realizes she is a dog when they all play!

So all was well in the Robert's pet house, until Lizzie went to Girls Camp and her beloved parakeet Sparkie, died....Swell.  Honestly, I'm not a bird person so no tears were shed on my part and frankly, if Choppie (parakeet #2) left this earth and time soon I was not going to hold him back, I was planning out my desires for a Guinea Pig! But then My darlin girl came home, broken hearted and so sure that 'poor choppie' was broken hearted with grief, decided we needed to quickly replace sparkie. lovely.  So with her own money in hand, off to the pet shop we went.  Now we are the proud owners of Mango,  a yellow/green female... And now frankly, I think Choppie had something to do with the demise of Sparkie ( a male), cuz he sure does seem to be enjoyin his new girlfriend!