PUT YOUR GAME FACE ON

This afternoon we played The Matching Game and The Old Maid.

Wyatt's dance when he found a match was priceless.

Luke's laugh when someone mistakingly picked The Old Maid was hysterical. This litte dude can put a smile on my face anyday!

WE 3 CHEFS

Today we baked some cookies together!

Mmm.

It was a lot of fun and delicious too!

Wyatt is just like me and couldn't keep his fingers out of the bowl. He got a little upset with me when I added the oats, telling me "I don't want anymore, that's not my favorite part." Sorry Wyatt.

Luke had a great time helping and tasting too. Although, he's a little more interested in the mixing bowl and the tools rather than the cookies.

When it was time to put the cookie dough on the pan both boys decided it was too messy for them and wanted to wash their hands! Silly kids.

Any day is a good day when me and my boys are in the kitchen baking something yummy together!

WEEKEND UPDATE

Weekends get a little busy around here...and this weekend was no exception. But thankfully, we found a lot of time to be together and we certainly enjoyed each others company!

Friday night Jared and I got out for "date night." I really look forward to our dates. It's fun being with Jared and remembering why I fell in love with him.
He makes me laugh.
I am happy because we found a great new babysitter that the boys and I just looove. She's a real sweetie.
Oh how I love my husband! Instead of mountain biking early Saturday morning like he has been doing every weekend, he went and picked up our Bountiful Basket. Oh, you haven't heard of it? Check out their website at www.bountifulbaskets.org; letting me and the boys sleep in. He didn't stop there....he suggested I get out and ride my bike for an hour in the afternoon because he knows I am stressing about my triathlon next month! BTW, riding my bike has become a new favorite! I had to include some pictures of me with all my biking gear. Gotta love the camel back. Not pictured: my riding gloves and the new shorts Jared got me with the padded bum.

After that we loaded in the car, stopped to grab some lunch and went swimming! Jared gave me some swimming lessons since I'll have to swim .5 miles for that darn triathlon! I really am excited about it...but also really nervous! I feel so unprepared! Wyatt was so, so excited to swim. Luke, well not so much. He clung tight to me. I don't blame him. It was a little chilly. It was supposed to be heated! This was Levi's first taste of swimming...and from what we could see, he thought it was great! The water temp. didn't seem to bother him at all. My favorite part? The hot tub of course.

Later, after we showered and cleaned up, we loaded back into the car for a yummy dinner at Joe's Farm Grill for my sis-in-law's birthday. Mmm. Thanks Jenny for having a birthday! On our way home I was telling Jared about these really cute shoes I wanted. Well, what do you think he said?..."Why don't you go get them?" Really??, I said. But, I didn't wait for a reply. I was out the door leaving him to put the boys in bed. Love him. And my new shoes.
My most favorite thing these days is to be all together as a family. It doesn't matter if we are simply going to the store or out to eat. I am happiest when we are all together.
And that's our weekend update.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK...

Today I cleaned the house....all day long! I love a sparkling clean home (even if it does just last a day or so). Thursdays have become either a catch-up- day, or a forget- everything-day- and-just have- fun. It was nice staying at home today and finally getting caught up on some cleaning! The boys didn't seem to mind either. They had fun watching cartoons, playing in the playroom, going outside in the backyard, and helping me. I enjoyed teaching them how to turn socks inside out, match them, and put them away...and letting them help me organize a few things. I took a few breaks throughout the day to play a made-up game with Wyatt, roll around on the floor with Levi, help Wyatt write some words and watch Luke color. I never got ready for the day or even stepped foot outside, but I did accomplish something and enjoyed being at home with my kids. And that's something to be happy about!

EASTERS 2010

Easter weekend was a blast! We were busy from sun up to sun down. Friday we boiled the eggs up for some Easter egg dying fun! The boys were extremely excited and did a great job! This is the first year they were old enough to dye the eggs. That night Jared and I joined his family at Joe's BBQ for a birthday dinner for his dad. Several of the siblings joined us and it was fun chatting with everyone. It's not usual that Jared's siblings are able to get together without kids!

Saturday morning we watched General Conference over at Jared's parents house with Jared's brother, Porter and his wife, Karla. After a delicious lunch at Tia Rosa's we continued with Conference. The girls and the kids then headed for the mall for a little bit of shopping. We were quite the sight with 4 strollers and 5 kids.

I really, really enjoyed both Saturday sessions. I loved the theme of family and parenting. It's safe to say that I am now feeling like I need to "step it up" as a mother!

Easter morning Jared and I watched the boys as they hunted around for plenty of hidden Easter eggs and pigged out on the candy from their Easter baskets. So fun. In between the Sunday sessions of General Conference we again joined Jared's parents and some siblings for an Easter brunch. My new favorite, German pancakes were served, along with Jared's parents famous omelets, plenty of fruit, bread, and orange juice! Yummy. I could eat breakfast all day long!

That afternoon the little cousins participated in an Easter egg hunt in the backyard while the Easter Bunny hopped around after them. Yes, that's right...we now are the proud owners of a bunny. Jared surprised us all when he came home with a bunny Saturday night.

Wait, we're not done yet! After Conference we rushed home to get ready for a dessert get-together with my family. I think I could eat dessert all day long too. In fact that's what I did. Candy for breakfast, a sweet brunch for lunch, no dinner, and dessert! Doesn't get any better than that. It was nice seeing my family. What a Happy Easter!

TODAY

Today I am grateful for children and their imagination.

Wyatt and Luke happily played with their cousin Abbey...

And the couch cushions.

I was happy to have a little time to myself.

Thank you.

Isn't it funny how they chose to abandon a whole room full of toys for some furniture?

LOVE HIM

This past month I have not been very positive.

There, I said it! I have struggled with being happy. I am thankful for all that I have, but I don't think I truly recognize how blessed I am. I let too many unimportant things get in the way of my happiness.

This past month I have been feeling unmotivated and stressed. There are so many things to do and so little time to do them all. I stress when I realize at the end of the day I didn't get much done. I haven't been very good at prioritizing my life.

I feel guilty at the end of each day when I realize I don't spend enough time with my kids. I feel like a bad mom. I am impatient. I am tired...I really could go on and on...but I won't. Instead of pointing out and focusing on all the negative, which I am oh-so- good-at! I have decided to look for the positive in each day. My plan is to blog each day about something positive/happy about the day. By doing this I am hoping I will focus more on the good each day rather than the bad! So, without further adieu, here goes... One of the good things about today.

JARED

I love this man very much and I am one lucky girl to have him! This morning as I was feeling unmotivated and pretty down on myself he listened and comforted me. He called in late to work and gave me the attention that I needed. I felt much better after he let me talk and explain how I was feeling. I am thankful for him in my life.

He is funny.

He is talented.

He is loving.

He is faithful.

He is dedicated.

But best of all, he loves me, no matter what.

He tells me every day how beautiful I am.

He is perfect for me.

Today I am thankful for my husband and best friend.