she calls me "Lovey"...

Some body's got himself an admirer...

...one with artistic ability...
...and a rather vivid imagination.

Oh boy.

{sort of} a vacation (not really)...

*This post is mostly for record keeping purposes, and to remind our kids that we actually did do fun stuff when they were little...*

We took the family on a little mini vacation last weekend, a whole 30 min away from home...we stayed at Thanksgiving Point in a nice (it really was) hotel, went out for a nice (not so much) dinner, and spent a portion of the next day at the Dinosaur Museum.

Sounds fun, right????

If you ask the kids, they would say "YES! We had a BLAST!!"

If you ask the parents we would say (through clenched teeth) "Fabulous, a great time was had by all."

(and we would kind of be lying...just keeping it real, here.)

Checking out the hotel room...

The obligatory ride on the luggage cart...

Dinner...

Dinosaur Museum...

We got very little sleep, we rented a dumb movie, we were tired, we were frustrated...we were done by noon the next day...

The kids had a FABULOUS time!!!

That's all that matters...right???

when it's your birthday...

Your presents await you first thing in the morning

(it's like your own little Christmas morning!)

...with a side of bedhead...

You get to listen to your favorite song on a continuous loop in the car (I like the song too, but come on...)
You get to have your favorite meal...on the red plate
(chicken salad sandwich & pink heart cookie)


You get to dress like (and act like) a princess.

You get to enjoy the cake (or cupcake) of your choosing after a rousing version of "Happy Birthday" (seriously, could the youth of today come up with something new for this song...please!)
She had a good day!

And no, this is not just done for the little girl, everyone gets this same treatment on their special day (minus the crown!)

happy birthday sweet girl...

PLEASE stop growing up...

Love you!!

waiting...

Matt was home sick today (yucky, nasty stomach bug).

When it was about the time that the kids get home, he could hardly stand the wait.

He sat here at the window waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

...at first sight he ran out in his pj's to greet his twin brother!

Together again.

These two are as close as they come. They are very much alike (as identical twins usually are), but they also have their differences.

One thing is for sure...

they are BEST BUDDIES! Through thick & thin.

I love these boys!

history...

Presidential Inauguration

January 20, 2009

President Barack Obama

thanks...

I'd like to thank you, Guitar Hero (and the big brothers of M & Z's best friend), for introducing such amazing musicians to my children (notice how I take no blame...Santa brought it for crying out loud).

Today in primary the teachers were talking about what not to put into our bodies (drugs & alcohol). My 5 year old responded..."Ozzy Osbourne does drugs!"

A proud moment.

guilty pleasure & ramblings...

I love to read. This is something I hadn't done in a LONG time. For some unknown reason, even though I know it is a great thing to read, I would get really guilty when I spent time reading. Was the laundry done? Is the house clean? Have every one's needs been met?

Yea, no more.

When John and I went on this trip in November I picked up a book that I had read a few years ago (and the three in the series that followed) and have had my nose in a book ever since. Quite frankly, all of the books I have been reading lately are different series by the same author, and they have all been about the Old Order Amish. I am completely intrigued. Completely.

Sometimes when life is so crazy their peaceful life seems soooo wonderful (kind of).

I told John last night as I finished another book, "That's it. I want to be Amish."

His response, "Does that mean I can shun you whenever I want to?"

He was kidding, of course. He loves me, he just thinks he's hilarious.

After the day we've had today, I just might "shun" myself.

Short day. With no school again until Wednesday.

AGHHHH!!!

another fun night...

The cutest couple!!!

This couple takes a close second...

Lizzie & her Prince Charming.

"I LOVE Evan!" (her words)

Sam got to play photographer (to keep him out of trouble)
Did it work?...There were a lot of pics of female backsides...

...and one male (the groom) backside.

The work of Sam "the photographer"

Me & my big brother, Eric

This is how Sam spent a good portion of the evening (before taking on the role of photographer...

running & sliding on the floor right in front of the slide show. Gheesh...where is that kids mother???

My "cute" nephews!!!

My CUTE neice!

When Lizzie found out Jenni would be wearing a crown, she had to bring her own. There's always room for one more princess. Right?

Brynn & her biggest (chocolate faced) fans!!

The two princesses!!

What a fun night!!

lizzie vs. the snowman...

I've spent the week looking at Lizzie and the potty. I thought it more appropriate to post a picture of Lizzie (and her very own snowman...)

cuteness...

I may NEVER put pants on her again...

We've been potty training this week so this is what I get to look at all day.

I love it!!

And the potty training is going...BEAUTIFULLY!! She's awesome!

Elizabeth "Purple"...

We were going over everyone's full names the other day & Lizzie (Elizabeth Violet) didn't like the "Violet" part of her name. So, being the genius mother that I am told her that violet was the same thing as purple. Her response..."Call me that!" Here she is in her Christmas jammies, Elizabeth Purple Williams.

do you know what love is???...

Three big boys that will play tea party with one little girl!!