Mommy's little helpers

All of my boys have loved the dishwasher and love to climb in it. Manning is starting already.

Can I help you mom?

Manning is great at unloading even when I am trying to load the dirty dishes. He hasn't quite grasped the concept yet. To him they are all fun to play with and it all at within his reach.

Mattix loves to help with the dishes. He has mastered cleaning off the table and scrubbing the dishes with the brush and he is a pro at loading plates and silverware.

Again with the helping hands.

" Got it! Now I just need a fork. "

Mattix took a picture of the dirty dishes. I think it looks pretty cool.

Give them a few years I will have to beg and beg them to help with chores. Mason's already there. Chores are sooo boring. He's too tired. Or many other excuses. He's very good at coming up with good reasons not to help.

One of our fav. summer events family reunions....

GGma helped out alot holding Manning they had a nice spot in the shade.

As you can tell he didn't mind it to much either.
My Grandma's cousin so my 3 cousin made this super cute cake. Due to the crazy heat it melted pretty quickly. I am so glad I got a pic before it did. Apparently the outhouse memories were before my time. But I still enjoyed it.

My Grandma and her Sister my great Aunt and a couple of their cousins.

Aunt Margret Ann leaves the best kiss prints on your cheek. I love her.

Every year at this Hone reunion we play BINGO for white elephant prizes. I always loved it when I was little and now the boys love to be a part of it now.

Visiting is always fun too. Some of these people we only see once a year. But it's still fun to see them.

I have always loved going to family reunions. Even when I was a little kid. My mom always took us to them. I like getting to know my family and it's all so fun to see everyone. Now that I have my boys it even more fun to go and show off my cute family. (yes I am a very proud mom) And it's also fun to see everyone else as they grow up and have families of their own or as they grow up and get more gray hairs. :) I try to get to all of them every summer. Unfortunatly with all that has gone one this last month we missed one for my Dad's side. I am sad that I didn't get to see my Grandma and all my family. Honestly my dream one day is to have enough time and money to see every one often. I would love for my family to see my boys and watch them grow and enjoy the time we have to spend here together. One of these days.

Ode to my In laws

If it weren't for these two, I wouldn't have such an awesome man to call my husband. Thank you guys for raising such a wonderful guy!

Happy Birthday My love!!!

Top 10 reason why I love my Honey.....

1. He's a great father and example.

2. He's a very hard worker.

3. I never have to question his love for me or his family.

4. His heart is pure and he'd do anything for anyone.

5. He's good looking of course.

6. He doesn't mess around when he knows what he wants.

7. He's the best!

8. He's a good kisser.

9. He know's how to have fun.

10. He puts up with me.

A few masterpieces from my favorite artists...

My boys love to draw lately. I love it!!

I wish I could save every picture they draw. But I already have issues with being a pack rat. So I thought I would pick my favorites and take pictures of them to post on my blog. I know I'm their mom and my opinion is probably a little fixed. But I think my kids are pretty awesome artists and I love to see their imagination come out on paper.

Mattix's picture. He couldn't really remember what he drew.

But check out those circles.
This is Mason's picture he drew at Julie's house. (their babysitter)
It's a picture of our family. I'm the one holding baby Manning.

This was another one he drew. But the reason Manning isn't in this one is because this is our picture from last year he said. Manning wasn't in my tummy yet.

This one is a hint into my 4 year old's crude humor. This is what he calls a man with a bum for a head. So for us grown ups that don't get into to much trouble when we use certain words.

This is a "Butt head."

This is a portrait of his favorite Mommy. ME!! I love when he draws me.

This is one of my favorites. He asked me one day how do you spell "Adventure."

I wasn't paying to much attention to what he was doing but when he was done he had me tape it together like a book. And this is what he made. An Adventure book. I love how he writes.

(We love the movie UP)

Chickasaw lodge and the family reunion...

Mason the tuff reporting for duty.
Shawn and Aunt Sara showing off the blanket up for auction.

The lodge we stayed in all weekend. It's so humid there that when I would go outside the cold from the inside on my camera lense would fog up in the heat from outside. Made some of my pictures foggy looking.

Aunt Sara, My mother in law Gail and father in law Woody. Don't they look comfy?

Mattix and Matt's neice Elsie enjoying their toasted marshmellows.

Rub a dub dub two babies in the tub. They won't like this picture when they're older.

Will they.

We did plenty of swimming. The boys loved playing with thier daddy.

Mattix is my fearless child.

Poor kid. But so dang cute.

Matt rough housing with his cousin Marissa. Something about throwing her in the lake?

Yes I still have more to post about our trip. It's fun to look at all the pictures and pretend we're still there. Our last destination on our trip was Chickasaw state park in Tennessee. There we stayed Friday to Monday. On Sunday we had our family reunion where all those not brave enough to stay at the lodge with us exciting people gathered, ate TONS of food, had an auction and of course visited catching up on how things have been since last time. (2 years ago)

Look who's turning 3!

My most favorite Mattix in the world turns 3 today July 23. I can't believe how fast time flies. He's growing up so fast. I've loved this kid since before I even laid eyes on him. Sure there's a reason he's been nicknamed "little Mattitude" but he wouldn't be Mattix without his don't mess with me dork! Attitude.

A few of his favorite things he just couldn't live with out are, strawberry milk, sport's (baseball/t-ball) right now is his favorite, he's a major water kid. Loves to play in the sink any chance he can get. He loves his brother's, he's a great big brother to his baby brother, and he almost always wants to be just like his big brother. He's always been a mama's boy but lately he's starting to lean the other way. He really loves his daddy.

So Happy Birthday Mattix! You are turning into my Big Boy!

July 23, 2007

5:32 p.m.

6 lbs 0 oz.

18 1/2 in.

First day jitters....

This picture was taken in Nauvoo's Women's garden. It's full of statues dedicated to women and their devine roles.

Yesterday didn't go quite at I had imagined in my head. I hate when that happens. I don't know how you mom's do it. I envy you for you strength. I hope it gets easier. I cried alot yesterday.
I am the head teacher over the 2 year olds. I taught that class for just over 2 years. I loved it. I had a little boy that started yesterday too. And he cried all day too but for his mom. I didn't know what the heck was going on. I didn't get anything done that I was supposed to. I hope I can learn quickly. My brain was so overwelmed thinking about how the boys were doing and trying to keep up with 5 toddlers. I know one thing though I am going to get in shape.
I came home finally very late last night. It was a long day. My boys were happy to see me and had stories they were excited to to tell me. Julie their new second mom took them to the store and bought me flowers. It was perfect. It made my day. It's very comforting to know that they are taken care of and things went good for them. I know it should only get smoother from here. One can hope.