budding photographers, and burned hand

Recently, I let 3 of my kiddos have a chance to take pictures around our yard. It was fun to see what they found important enough to take pictures of. Here are my 1 fav from each child.

The Tree by {A}
Corn by {K}
Baby by {a}









Also, I wanted to mention for journaling reasons, that {k} had his hand burned recently. We had a hot small bbq grill out, and he touched it with his right hand. It blistered right away, and popped that evening. He has had it wrapped in a bandage for a week now, but seems to be healing nicely. Poor little guy. We feel so horrible, but are grateful there shouldn't be any scars.

I DID IT!

As a bonus item for my COMPLETE word this year, I COMPLETED a 5k run this weekend. It was hard, exhausting, and exhilerating! My Sister-in-law came in from out of town to run with me, and I am so grateful! She is such a positive, fun running partner, and I am so grateful she was there to talk me up when I was ready to quit! We ran our race in 36 minutes, which I am VERY proud of, considering we walked about 2 minutes during the course of the run. Thank you {J} for joining me! Let's plan our next race!
I am especially proud of the fact that I actually followed through on something I started. This seems to be a difficult thing in my life, so I am excited that I finished this goal! I began training this spring, maybe around 16 weeks ago, and worked really hard to be ready for this day. Running has been something I have wanted to try for a while now, and finally decided I would give it a try. A friend suggested I try 'Couch-to-5k' and it worked like a charm! I am still in awe that I can run that far in such a short training period! To make things even crazier in my brain, I have decided that I enjoy this running business. WEIRD! :) I doubt I will ever find the desire to run longer distances, but I suppose crazier things have happened. :)
I appologize to all those I didn't tell, sorry gma, but I really was ok with not telling too many people. That way, I didn't have to be accountable to them, I guess. However, I will make it known, that I plan to sign up for a Women's Race coming up in Sept. I had better hit the pavement hard, because this race has a killer hill in it! :)

{K} turns 6!

Happy Birthday to my adorable {K}. He turns 6 this week, and we had a party for him over the weekend. It was fun to have extra family in town to celebrate with us!

{K} is a fun loving, happy boy. He is also, however, a bit sensitive and cries easily. He is super excited to be a first grader, and LOVES his little brother. He enjoys playing pokemon and bakugon with his big brother and tormenting his little sister. {K} will start piano lessons soon and we are hoping that will help him become more confident in front of others. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOBES!!

happy 13 love!

DH and I have been married for 13 years today. Wow, it's been an amazing ride and I can't wait for the next 13 years! I love him more than I thought I ever could! Thanks for being an amazing husband and father. I love you DH!! Here are a few pictures of our family.

13 years.
4 kids
2 homes
1 motorcycle accident
many mini accidents by me. :)
a couple of vacations
too much fun to count!!

has it been a year already?

Our little bo-bo turns one year old today. It's amazing how much they change their first year of life. He has 3 teeth, is choosing to crawl rather than army crawl most of the time now, he can get himself to a standing position by himself, he sucks his thumb, and is generally a happy baby. He has an ear-piercing scream that definitely gets your attention, and has wonderful hazel eyes. We love you little one! Happy Birthday {k}!!

update

So I know it has been way too long since I updated, so this post will be lengthy! scroll down to the bottom for commentary on the pictures. :)


































































































































































































































































































































I have caught {A} reading to his brothers more lately, and I think it is just wonderful! His class performed Fairy Tales recently, and also, I have put in a pic of {A} and his wonderful 2nd grade teacher! She has been fantastic for {A}!!


{K} graduated from kindergarten today, and I also have a pic of him with his teacher. She is also a wonderful teacher. I am pleasantly surprised at how well he is reading! {K} was chosen as Citizen of the Month for May. His teacher said he was such a good boy and definitely earned this honor! They performed a kindergarten "informance". It is where the kindergarten students show what they have learned this year. He was quite shy and embarrassed by all the attention. But, that is {K} all the way! They made enchanted eggs with his 3rd grade buddy. He was so proud to place it in the place of honor next to my enchanted egg that I made in kindergarten! {K}'s teacher taught with my kindergarten teacher at the same school for a few years while I was still in elementary school. I remember her being there... :)


I signed {a} up for a little "Dance Class". It was 4 classes long, and super cute! I tried to download a couple of videos, but it didn't work. I will try again later. She loves to climb in {k}'s bed and torment the poor guy! I put in her first picture of a person. She was drawing on the details, and said "finger, finger". I am amazed at how much more she wants to color and draw than either of the boys wanted to at that age. We bought an atv recently, and the kids are loving it!

she is FINALLY pottytrained!

Yup, about a month ago, she came running upstairs and announced that she had to go potty. We ran, put her on the toilet and sure enough, she went. Ever since then, she has done a wonderful job! A few accidents here and there, but for the most part a very seamless training. It just took her a bit longer to get started, but she is even night trained. HOORAY!

Recently, she climbed on the wood box that I keep by the fireplace, and announced in her sweetest girl voice, "I'm here for a dance, if somebody will pick me."

update on {A}

{A} has had a busy couple of months. First, he turned eight in Feb! He had his first friend birthday party. We had 3 friends over, and those 4 boys were crazy and noisy! But, boy did they have fun!



















Because he turned 8, that means he gets to join Cub Scouts.














He quickly earned his bobcat award at the first pack mtg.













Next, he chose to be baptized. He had lots of family join us for this special day! Congratulations {A}! We are so proud of your choice to be baptized!















The next pack meeting was the annual Pinewood Derby! {A} and his Dad built a really neat Hummer car to race! He raced very well. While he didn't win first, he did get the "Best Big Rig" Award. Way to go!































Finally, {A} and his 2nd grade class had a program entitled "Think Spring".





















I just had to add these cute pictures of {a} and {K}. I am sure there is more I need to write about, but this will do for today. Enjoy!

{a}'s birthday

Sister had her 3rd birthday right before Christmas. She was so cute about the whole thing. She got a high chair for her doll...
a rocking horse...a dump truck.
Here she is telling us that she's 3!

I LOVE this picture. She is blowing out her candles. But, what I love most is the expression on her brothers faces... :) HAPPY Birthday Sister! We love you! We love your crazy, funny personality and can't imagine our little family any other way!

Here is a video of her dancing and singing with some Christmas ornaments. Sorry it's sideways. Can't figure out how to change that...

ETA: I thought I would add a few things about what she is into right now. Her favorite song is Twinkle Star(twinkle, twinkle, little star). She LOVES her little brother, and her doll. She is in Sunbeams now and absolutely LOVES it. Her teacher is Sister Smithee and she calls her Sister Smoovee. I love the way she says it. She enjoys reading books at night especially her "sandwich book" and Silly Sally. She can be bossy at times. She still uses her hair as her lovey and twirls it to no end. She also sucks her tongue and has since she was very little.