Maui

 After a full week on Maui I am overwhelmed with getting back into reality.  I am one of those people that like to have everything picked up and put away and cleaned up quickly so for the past two days I have been working all day trying to get everything in order.  When looking through the pictures I really didn't know what to pick to put in.  I will make a photo book of the whole trip eventually but here are some great tidbits:
The sunsets were amazing!

The Luau was delicious and very entertaining.

 

 The waterfalls and scenery were spectacular!  Lush jungles and bamboo forests and then volcanic rock beaches around every corner.

 A very entertaining and mesmerizing magic show that Greg and I got to take part in.

 The food was interesting and delicious.  Cooking dinner the last couple nights was tough.

 Relaxing, taking naps and soaking up the sun.

 

 I took TONS of pictures of all the different flowers we saw.  Amazing to think there is no way they would grow here in Utah.

We had a fabulous time and are so thankful that our children were in great hands while we were gone.  Everything went smoothly and when I woke up the kids Wednesday morning they were so excited to see that it was me.  I am now a Maui believer.  Go, explore, relax and enjoy!

Mother's Day

 Ahh, Mother's Day.  It was a good day.  Greg made me pancakes for breakfast and a yummy steak dinner.  The kids made me wonderful cards that were all mostly positive (Nathan say he like to play with me when I am not "too busy").  The older three kids sang a couple songs with the primary at church.  It was Nathan's last time to do this and so I asked him to do a good job (no hiding like during the primary program).  He did great!  I got to talk to my mom and that was wonderful since I don't get to talk to her much.  The best part is that even though none of these pictures were perfect, no one is crying in any of them.  Over the past few years someone (Annabelle) is usually crying in a couple pictures.  Hooray for my kids!  They were happy and didn't fight over who got to sit by me.  It really was a good day.  Any day where we don't have extra meetings and we just get to hang out as a family is an extra great day!

Fun and Silly Moments

 We had a really rainy baseball game a couple weeks ago.  It was so wet they had to stop playing for 5-10 minutes.  The girls and I tried to make the most of it and danced for a little while in it, and then made a run for the car. Of course it happens on a day when I curl my hair.  I never curl my hair.

 

 

 I love this picture of Callie and I. 

 Walmart finally has prohibited people from standing on this corner and begging for food or money.  I always feel bad for a few reasons.  First, I NEVER have cash and hardly ever do I have unopened food sitting around my car. And second, do these people really need my money?  Why aren't they working?  I am glad I won't have to stress over this every time I go to the grocery store.

 We had a bonfire with some neighbors and they roasted their Christmas tree.  It was quite impressive.  And then the wind really kicked up and we ran inside for some marshmallows over candles.  It was a little longer to roast, but must safer.

 

 

 Callie got a new play-doh set for her birthday and loves making things with it.  She also loves a song about teddy bears going on a picnic.  So that is what we made.

 Callie loves to climb.  She climbs all over every where.  She also gets hurt a lot because of this.  Her Aunt Bri watched her a few days while we were gone and commented on her clumsiness.  She luckily hasn't gotten hurt as much as her big sister, yet [knocking on wood].

 

 I just love the expressions my girls make.  Even over a go-gurt popsicle and a cup full of grass.  Love it!!

Women's Conference

 Last Wednesday my little sister Wendy came to town so she could go to Women's Conference Thursday and Friday.  My cousins had invited me to go on Friday months before but with Hawaii coming up and Greg being out of town the whole week I had declined.  And then Wendy called me saying she was coming so I made it work.  I am so glad I did.  I love my sisters and miss having them live near me.  I also love my cousins and am so grateful that I have them around here.  On Friday we all headed down to BYU for the conference.  It was really great.  We went to some really spiritual and informational classes.  It was kind of really crowded and hard to get in to some classes that we had wanted, but each class that we made it to said things that I needed to hear, so it all worked it great.  I loved spending time with Wendy without worrying about our 8 kids.  I had my 4 when we were at home, but Friday was fabulously uplifting and a much needed break after Greg being gone all week. 
On Saturday Wendy met up with some friends but then we got to go shopping together which was a lot of fun.  She was amazed at how much cheaper Utah is than California.  I told her I still have to deal with the snow.  My kids loved having Aunt Wendy around.  They were REALLY sad when she had to leave.  I like that they got to know her without her kids, I think it made them feel special that she was able to give them lots of attention.   I look forward to future outings with my sisters, and my cousins.

Callie is 3!

 I really can't believe my baby is 3.  Not that she isn't really acting like it, but I am feeling old and I am a little sad that she is growing up.  Since Callie Coo Coo and I are home alone all the time I end up taking a lot of pictures of her.  I decided to wait and put them all in the post today.

 

 

 Callie ALWAYS falls asleep when we drive somewhere at 4-5 in the afternoon.  She gave up naps months and months ago, but her little body gets sleepy in the afternoon.  She slept here for over 30 minutes, with people coming and going and no one was being quiet.  While I know she needs a little sleep she is a grump when she wakes up.  I had warned my family and they were not disappointed when she came to. 
The other day Callie and I had a picnic out front with some cucumber slices.  She put them in her mouth and referred to herself as a walrus.  So we both posed as a walrus and send it to Daddy to make him smile.

 

 Callie loves to color and cut.  She can go through a whole coloring book in one sitting.  And she wants to cut out the pages.  So focused!
Callie loves putting my shoes on.  These are some pretty high heels that I had for our cruise a couple years ago and I was really surprised that Callie could walk at all (it was hard for me!).

 Callie has a little friend named, Genevieve.  She LOVES her.  She always wants to play with her little friends, but Gen is the first one she will name.  Since Daddy was out of town for Callie's birthday I wanted the day to be special and so we invited Genevieve over for lunch and cupcakes.  So much fun and easier than a party.

 

 Greg got home the next day and so we opened presents and Callie went right to work on her water colors and dot paints.  Annabelle of course wanted to do everything WITH Callie and luckily her little sister is very kind and didn't have any complaints with sharing.

 We saved the cake until Sunday when we had a big family dinner.  Callie wanted a piggy cake and while it isn't professional, she loved it and I think it turned out pretty well.  I love the picture below with Callie and Greg.  She was afraid of the candles and was only blowing a tiny bit so Daddy saved the day.

Callie has grown up so much this last year.  We all love her to pieces and are so glad she is a part of our family.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 Both boys are playing baseball right now.  That means 4 games a week plus 2 practices.  That equals A LOT of baseball.  Ryan is on the Cardinals and Nathan is on the Braves.  Greg even went out a bought hats for both teams (if we keep playing baseball he is going to have a lot of hats).  They seem to like it okay but the weather hasn't been that great so it has been a long 2 weeks/8 games.  The second week Greg was even out of town so I had the kids to myself.  Luckily Greg's dad came to 2 of the games to help.

I bought this fabulous wagon that has helped carry all of our stuff to the games and once it is emoted the kids get to pull each other around.  It has been a lot of fun and I am so glad I went to Costco on the right day to find it.

 I am not the biggest baseball fan, but I am a supportive mom so I will be to as many games as I can this season.  Both boys are on undefeated teams, so far.  Both boys have not hit the ball at a game yet (besides fouls).  Both boys are determined to get better and for that I will continue going and cheering on the Cardinals and Braves.