Tagged

I've been tagged a couple of times and each time I think to myself I'm going to do it. But then life happens, I get distracted and forget all about it. So, this time when Dacia tagged me I made a point of starting the post soon after I read her comment. Well, here we are a month later and I'm finally finishing it. Better late than never, right?

7 weird or random facts about myself

1. I don't know what it is about toilets but they are yucky. I can't stand it when the lid is left open. Yes, I do realize that I'm slightly obsessive compulsive about this, just ask my kids.
2. I love doing the dishes with my husband. At the end of the day when the kids are in bed, we do the dishes and chat, it's our thing.
3. I like watching Bollywood movies. Hey! They are clean, there's no foul language, no inappropriate behavior, crazy storylines, and totally random musical sequences. What's not to like?
4. I like my towels, sheets, pillowcases (in short, most linens) folded just so. If they aren't folded the way I like them, I'll refold them before putting them away. Yes, I'm a little OCD about this too!
5. I don't like carnations. Seriously, I abhor them. As a food they aren't too bad but as a gift they just stink. Why would anyone want to be given a bouqet of carnations? That's what the winner of the Kentucky Derby gets!! What am I a horse? Now, if I've offended any carnation lovers I do apologize.
6. I often break out in song at totally random moments. It's a habit that totally embarrasses my children. They probably wouldn't mind my singing so much if I could sing, but I can't. I sound perfectly awful when I sing!!
7. I love, love, love that Bryan gives me crazy, unconventional gifts. For example, a red wagon for Christmas, a tent for Mother's Day last year, a very cool LED headlamp for Mother's Day this year, and a cheese grater (which is still in my top 10 list of favorite gifts!). No worries, he does give "normal" gifts but my favorites are always the nontraditional ones!!

Who to tag? Decisions, decisions....how about Elisha, Amanda, Meridith, Jessi, Michelle, Heather, Jueneta? So you've been tagged, now what do you do?

Here are the rules:

1. On your post, link back to the person who tagged you - that would be me.
2. Post your assignment on your blog - 7 weird or random facts.
3. Post these rules on your blog.
4. Post links to seven bloggers that you will be tagging.
5. Go to those blogs and give them a comment on their blog to let them know that you have tagged them.
   

Got it? Good! Now I can't wait to learn more about you!

She walks?!

Okay, the truth of the matter is, every time she'd attempt to walk I'd grab her and put her back on all fours. (I'd even taught her brothers to do the same. Awful, I know.) Well, after her one year old well check the pediatrician scolded me and said I had to let her learn how to walk. I'm not that bad of a mother, really I'm not! In my defense, her brothers both started to walk at around 10 months and I just wasn't ready for Sara to "grow up" and see things from a different angle!! Needless to say, once we stopped putting her back on her knees to crawl, she learned to WALK!! She started walking sometime in March and hasn't stopped since.

Her crawling days are numbered...

Learning to balance...

Gaining confidence & getting into mischief...

She's playing with the big boys now!!

School Carnival

The kids had a great time at this year's carnival....

Fun times with Comet the Coyote!

During the carnival, the different grade levels performed musical numbers. Each grade did great!! Although, I must admit, second grade was my favorite!! I may be a little bias.

Daniel's favorite subjects in school are math & music. So, it was no surprise when Mrs. Murlless (the music teacher) came up to me after the event and said she loves having Daniel in class. She described him as being "a joy" to have around. We think he's pretty awesome too!!

Jenn & Jana did a fantastic job orchestrating the event. Our family loved the sign!!!

Happy Birthday!!

Sweetheart you are amazing!!

We love you!!

(This post is a little late, his birthday was on April 22nd. I kept forgetting to download the camera pics!)

Field Trip

Bryan was one of the chaperone's for Daniel's field trip up the canyon.

They had a great time!

Daniel & Maura are eager & ready to go!

Smile for the camera!

Hmm...interesting?

Taking a break!

The Self Feeder

Sara is very independent and LOVES to use her own utensils.

Daniel's Japanese Garden

Daniel's class has been learning about Asian cultures and part of their research involved creating a Japanese garden. He'd been working on it rather diligently and talked about it very enthusiastically at the dinner table each night. Of course, we were all very excited to see the final masterpiece. When he brought home his project we were in awe at the detail. Way to go Daniel!! We're so proud of you!!!

Fun times

I'm so grateful the boys enjoy one another's company... at least most of the time. ;-)

Peek-a-Boo & Yummy Rocks

Sara loves being outside with her brothers.

Here they are weeding the yard.

Actually, the boys are weeding while Sara entertains them with her version of Peek-a-Boo.

Did I mention she also enjoys tasting rocks? Yum!

Easter Egg Hunt

Because we were on vacation in the the week leading up to Easter we didn't host our annual Easter Egg Hunt & BBQ. Instead we hunted for eggs as part of our family home evening activity.

Dad helps Sara fill her basket.

Daniel, Jared, & Collin (our neighbor) show off their finds.

Sara discovers the chocolate hidden in the eggs.

Spring Break

Over the break, the kids & I drove out to visit my favorite aunt. We had so much fun!! The boys are still talking about Aunt Mir's "fancy tv". My little cousin received a scholarship to attend a university not too far from us. Hooray!! We're so proud of Steffi!!! We are so going to visit you and bug you while you're at school!! On the way back from Aunt Mir's we decided to stop and camp at City of the Rocks.

Jared LOVES to roast marshmallows.

Daniel & his marshmallow feast.

The princess is awake!

Daniel & Jared had so much fun exploring.

We can't wait to go back!!

Look What I Can Do...

Climbing up & sitting pretty...

Climbing up & sliding down...



The Pageant Wave

Happy Birthday

Sara is one year old!!

Yummy birthday cake!!

Time to move into the big girl car seat.

Hooray!!

Presents!!

The minute she opened her new toothbrush she wouldn't let it go!!

All tuckered out!!

Science Project

Back in December a letter came home with an invitation to participate in the school science fair (participation isn't required for the younger grade levels). After some thought, Daniel decided on a project and asked Bryan for a little help to fill out the paperwork.

For the next couple months Daniel and Bryan did the research and collected data. A week or so before the project was due, Daniel went to work on his display. He typed up all his information. He did have a little help with setting the font size and page alignment but the rest he did on his own. Daniel carefully choose the colors for his display and glued it all together.

Personally, I think he did an amazing job!!!

Can you believe this is his first science project?

Didn't he do a great job??

Way to go Daniel!!!

Heart Attacked!!

One of the perks of Bryan's church assignment is his interaction with the youth. As you can see the young women"heart attacked" our home. (The pictures are kind of dark so you can't see the yard filled with hearts.)

Our boys thought it was the coolest thing ever!!
Thank you girls!!

Homemade Valentines

This year we thought it might be kind of fun to make homemade valentines. I'm happy to report it was loads of fun!!!

The boys really went to town hunting out and collecting broken crayons. (Thanks Bells for donating your broken crayons to our stash!) After peeling all the paper off the crayons, we melted them in heart shaped silicon molds. Once the molds cooled the beautiful hearts were baggied, tagged, and signed for each of the boys' classmates. Making homemade valentines was such a great activity that I think we might do it again next year!!

Naked crayons, at least that's how Jared refered to them.

Daniel thought it was very cool to watch the colors swirl together.

Beautiful crayon hearts

Who knew playing with crayons could be so fun!

Fun at the Zoo

Yesterday, we enjoyed a fun afternoon at the zoo with a few of Bryan's co-workers. It was such a lovely day and the weather couldn't have been more perfect!! The kids sure did have fun. We're certainly going to miss Steve & Jen but wish them the best with their move!!

Happy Birthday

I have to admit, now that I've had children I love birthdays so much more.

I love seeing their little faces light up with excitement as they carefully prepare their surprises. They did a wonderful job of making me feel special!!

Just take a look...

(Not pictured is the very yummy dinner they treated me to on Friday & the wonderful meal Bryan prepared today!!)

Thanks for the "over the hedge" pajamas & beautiful butterfly necklace!!

The original artwork on the wrapping paper was a nice touch!!

A little baker hard at work.

Pretty flowers from Grandma & Grandpa Flores

Doesn't that cake look yummy? It tasted great too!!

Daniel & Mom enjoy a much needed rest.

Happy Anniversary!!

It's been nine wonderful years!!

I love being by your side!!

MQAMQM