Peppers

I consider myself a lucky mom since while I was cutting up veggies for a pizza night all three kids came in and wanted to eat them. How can I argue? I knew we had plenty of peppers for the pizza and just let them go to town. We are still working on the boys not picking off the mushrooms, but I think they are awesome eaters so I don't worry about it too much (and I don't mind all the extra mushrooms that I get to eat:).

Back in the Saddle Again

We have enjoyed being home and keeping busy. The kids love playing with their friends and being able to go out and play without my constant watching (I love this, too). I love getting my house back in order and getting back into a sort of a routine.

Our garden has been doing great and it is so fun to watch the kids excitement in finding veggies. We have awesome kids who eat all the squash, zucchini, tomatoes, peas and green beans we can pick. Our 2 giant sunflowers should bloom soon and since we missed it last year, I can't wait.
We made it back to library and it is so nice to have some new books. Since Nathan gets chapter books, Ryan wants to get them as well. Luckily for me, Nathan is great at reading them to Ryan.
For Pioneer Days the boys went camping while Annabelle and I had some girl time. I attempted to cut her bangs, but will not do that again. We had fun going out to dinner and eating ice cream while the boys braved the rain and caught some fish.

On Saturday we had Greg's family over for a Pioneer Day/say hi to Dan and Courtney/Happy Birthday to Katie party. It is always fun to see everyone (We missed those unable to come). We did a BBQ, played croquet and volleyball and of course did fireworks. Dan even brought a bigger one from Nebraska that the kids all thought was awesome (I was a lot nervous about it, but tried to be cool and okay with it).

School starts in less than a month--I will have all three of my kids in school 2 days a week. Nathan is 2nd grade, Ryan in kindergarten and Annabelle in joy school (so I will teach every 5 weeks). I can't imagine what my life will be like, and I can't decide if I am excited or sad about all the time to myself-probably both.

It'll Grow Back

The last few months Annabelle's hair has been driving me crazy. It makes her really sweaty at night, she sucks on it, she is always getting food in it, and she hates me to put it up which make the problems happen all the time.

I decided that today would be the day to get it cut short (it had Popsicle juice in it and she was sucking on it-gross!). I had an idea of her hair short, somewhere between shoulder and chin length. It is funny how the hairdresser always has their own idea of how they will cut the hair and they just go for it. With my hair I enjoy this, I hate making choices and I feel that my hairdresser knows better than I do. But watching my little girl's locks of hair falling (more than 6 inches) was hard for me. When the guy (yes a guy) asked me how much stacking I wanted in the back I knew I had made a mistake. Oh well, it WILL grow back. Annabelle loves it (and she REALLY didn't want to cut her hair) and I like it, it is just shorter than I imagined.

Trying to take a picture was harder than I thought. I got three with her eyes closed, one with her trying to keep her eyes open and then the last one. Doesn't she look like a different little girl?!

Home!!

After over 4000 miles of driving we are home, and loving it!! Our drive home was long, but we had some fun stops along the way.

First we spent a day in Nauvoo, Illinois. For those who my not know, this is where the early members of the Mormons found refuge for awhile, before they were again cast out (1840s) of that city and headed West. We made it to Carthage as well, where the Prophet Joseph Smith was martyred. The kids had a blast on the oxen ride and playing the pioneer games (while dressed as pioneers). Greg and I enjoyed those, as well as some tours from some of the little stores and shops.

It was nice to sleep in a hotel for more than one night. We got to rest and swim in the pool, eat pizza on the floor and watch cable TV. We also got to cross over the Mississippi River. It was crazy to see all these places that I have heard and read about all my life.
Next we headed to Lincoln, Nebraska where Greg's brother and his wife live. It was hotter than any place we'd been, but we had fun at a nearby museum and catching fireflies. The kids had to get used to their dog, Rudy, but we were all friends by the time we left.


Yesterday we were on the road for 14 hours. It would have been less but we took some nice breaks and even drove through a horrible Nebraska storm. It was a very long day, but our own pillows and beds made it all worth it. Now back to a more normal life.

Saying Goodbye

Greg is here and we are ready to go. It has been a crazy 3 weeks so far and we still have about a week to get home. My trip was very relaxing, but at the same time I still had my three kids and life was not too different. I loved having my sis to talk to all the time though. Here are some fun pictures of this week.

Me and all 5 kids-as you can see there wasn't that much time or space to relax.


A really fun splash park nearby. My boys are in the goofy glasses.

Annabelle, and the rest of our family, is so glad that Daddy is here!

Greg and I read about Whitecastle Hamburgers in Boise a few months ago. It was pretty cool that we actually got to go and taste what was famed to be better than McD's and what has inspired the slyder craze as of late.
We will spend Monday in Nauvoo, Wednesday in Lincoln with Greg's brother and then home on Thursday-I can't wait!! Until then.

Happy 4th of July!!

Another quiet moment so I thought I would post our fun pictures of this morning.
Tara's ward had a pancake breakfast and parade. The kids spent a good amount of yesterday getting ready for the parade and I think they looked GREAT! They were each so proud of their car/scooter/stroller/bike.

After the parade we played a bunch of games. There was potato, three-legged, wheel barrow and pillow slip races. Of course Nathan had to show off his amazing hula hoop skills by doing 4 at a time. Seriously, he is awesome!!

As everyone started to leave for their BBQs, Tara and I realized that it was such a beautiful day and we wanted to enjoy the outdoors while the sun lasted. She took us to a lake with a nature walk around it. We saw ducks, geese, swans, spider webs, swimming rodents (?), and we almost saw a deer. It was a lot of fun and a beautiful place. However, I was wearing shoes that were KILLING me. Why do I do that to myself? We were all beat by the end, but it was a great way to end the morning.

Tonight will bring on corn on the cob, root beer floats, fruit covered angel food cake and a few fireworks. I have never been the one to light the things, and Annabelle screaned like crazy last year, so we shall see how it goes.

Pictures

I have a rare quiet moment and thought I would post some pictures. Life is good in Michigan. I of course didn't really realize how much I would miss Greg and all the support that he gives us/me. It has been cloudy and cold a lot which means no outside fun and stir crazy kids. But, today is looking more hopeful. I did a spin class with Tara yesterday and it definitely kicked my booty. Tomorrow we get to be in a parade with her ward, the kids are way excited (a little worried according to the boys. Here are some fun pics of the drive that my folks took (I still haven't looked at my pictures):