Bennett's dinner attire...

This was Bennett at dinner tonight. This kid seriously will do anything for a laugh/reaction from us. He thought he was soooo funny!

Spooner Lake Hike...

For Memorial Day we decided to take a break from packing and go on a hike. We headed over to Spooner Lake, which is about 15 minutes from where we live and Tahoe is just about another 5 minutes. Bennett was ready with his accessories which include a high end pair of sunglasses and his beloved sippie cup.

Alexis and Garrett loved running along any and all of the fallen trees along the way.

Just posin' on a big ol' rock!

Time for a break. I love this picture because of Bennett's huge smile. He's really into saying "cheese" when his picture is being taken and he was saying it right here.

Whatta ya' know, another log!

Apparently somersaults are not off limits at any time!

Makeshift Horse Corral/ House update...

When I went in to Alexis' room yesterday this is what I found. Some of her horses were nicely lined up in their makeshift corral.

Onto the house update. Today we signed our life away(not really but it felt like it), gave lots of moola for a down payment and will get the keys to our new casa when we close next Thursday! The closing date has gone back and forth about a hundred times with the owners and now that they have to close on the house they bought in Fresno they want to close early. Annoying really but in the end we got what we wanted, which was to close the end of this month instead of mid June. Finally, we will get our own place after years (9 to be exact but who's counting) of hard work.
PHEW!!

Forehead Bands...

Apparently this is the cool way for boy's to where head bands or shall I say "Forehead Bands!"
Bennett is always running around with Alexis' headbands on any chance he gets. He's really such a funny kid and he does a lot of things on purpose just to make us laugh!

Anniversary...

Today is our 9 year anniversary! I can't believe it! When I think over the past 9 years I think about the great times we've had and some of the trials we've had to bare together and I am so grateful that I've had Bryan by my side on this crazy ride called, life!

"Special" Stake Conference and a fire alarm....

Today we had a "special" Stake Conference. Why was it so special?? Well we had Elder David A.Bednar of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles there. He said it was the first time we have had an apostle at a Stake Conference in our area in 40 years! Crazy huh! Anyhow, for the fire alarm part. Anytime you get that many kids in one building, mind you we were camped out in the hall there were so many people, something is bound to happen. So right before Elder Bednar was going to speak one of those kiddos yanked the fire alarm. So we had to evacuate the building and the Fire Department came to reset the alarm. In the meantime while we were outside waiting, I looked over and Elder Bednar was only a few feet away. We were standing with some of our friends and we talked Alexis and their daughter into going up and meeting him. So that's just what they did. What a neat experience it was for them! On a side note, Friday night I was able to go to a Fireside in Reno with some friends where Elder Bednar and Elder Neal Anderson(also of the 12) had an open forum for questions, which turned out to be really cool. And can I just tell you that Elder Bednar is one of the most down to earth people around. He says it like it is and really has such a great spirit about him. Anyhow, so back to my original story, when everything was said and done the fire alarm turned out to be a blessing in disguise so Lex was able to meet an apostle.

The Office....

So tonight is "The Office" season finale. What are Bryan and I going to do on our Thursday nights now?? We look forward to it all week long! We get take-out from our fav Mexican place every week to have while we watch the show. So in honor of our fav show I thought I would post a hilarious clip of the one and only, Michael Scott. (on a side note, don't you think Michael and that Parks and Recreation chick would be the perfect couple?? Just a thought.)

Happy Mama's Day!

It's a day late but I didn't get around to the blog last night! Anyhow, a few days ago a friend of mine sent me this hilarious e-mail that is definitely blog worthy! Who would have thought I would win such a prestigious award! Just click on the Mother of the Year link: Mother of the Year

I feel so blessed to have such an awesome Mom and Mother-In-Law! Really, both of these women are such amazing examples to me of Patience and Love! I am exhausted with my 3 kids and my Mom had 6 and my Mom-in-law had 11! Seriously, how did they and still do they do it! I love these women and are so grateful for the example they set for me! I love and miss you both! XOXOXO

Happy B-day Bennett, Part 2!

Bryan got home from his camp-out around 10:30am and it was time to do Bennett's b-day. Bennett had so much fun opening presents this year.

He was pretty stoked to get his own soccer ball. He really is so good at it already!

Get ready American Idol Bennett will be auditioning around, 2023 ish??

I must say, I think his cake turned out pretty good! ( being that I am in no way a cake decorator) He loves bugs so that's what he got.

Getting ready to blow the candles out. Which he had no problem doing all by himself!

Bon Apetit!

Happy Birthday, Bennett!

I can't believe my little guy is 2 today!! We won't be able to do his b-day cake etc. until tomorrow since Bryan will be gone on a Scout Camp-out so there will be birthday cake pic's still to come!

Bennett when he was about 3 months old! He's always been such a big kid!

He is about a week old here! I'm glad he still has his chubby cheeks!

Here's Bennett right after he was born. I love this guy!

Here's a view from my hospital room in Boston where Bennett was born. Isn't it amazing!

Happy Birthday, Bryan!!

The kids decorated this birthday sign for Bryan. They were so excited and proud of themselves!

My friend Alyssa made this amazing cake for Bryan's birthday. It was sooooo good!

Bryan blowing out his candles.

All the kids enjoying their cake before they head outside to play!

Bryan turned 3o something today! We had some of our awesome friends and their kids over for pizza and chocolate cake. Bryan made all the pizza and it was amazing, like always. I just love this guy and feel grateful to have him as my BF and hubby! Happy Birthday!

Latest happenings...

My kids love dressing up and spend most of their time doing just that.

It's that time again ! Alexis and Garrett are both signed up for soccer and I can hardly wait!

Spring has definitely "sprung" around here and it's so refreshing.

We had a Stake Relief Society Conference on Saturday and my friend Alyssa was asked to do the lunch that day for 250 women. ( She is amazing at everything she makes!) Anyhow, she called me and a couple of our other friends up to help her out and it was a lot of work but so fun! Friday night we went and prepped everything that we could and then went out for dinner and to a movie. It was a much needed GNO (girl's night out) and I am just so grateful for such awesome friends!

These were the center pieces that some other women had done. I thought they were super cute and clever.

The Stake RS President sewed aprons for my friends and I as a "Thank You" for the Saturday lunch. Isn't it so awesome! All the aprons were different and think I might just try and make one myself! (fingers crossed)