Introducing...

My sweet little angel surprised us all and was born 4 weeks early at 11:11 p.m. on June 3rd.

I was so not expecting his early arrival!  I still can hardly believe that he is here!

Safe and sound. Strong and healthy, nursing like a little champ!

We can't get enough of him!  Kisses...

kisses..

kisses!

He just melts our hearts!

We love you to pieces Frankie! 

My heart is so full of gratitude.  Boy do I feel lucky to be this sweet little one's mother.

I am so blessed.

Oh the things she says...

If you know me well, you know how much I love to cuddle and kiss on my little ones.  I often remind myself to stop what I'm doing and love on my children just to take it in because I know it won't last forever.  My favorite thing is to ask MaryJane  "Will you please stay two?"  and she loves to reply with a giggly open mouthed "No!".  I'm so afraid that I will terribly miss these early years.

Sadie has been so patient, caring and sweet to me this pregnancy.  On most days, when I have gotten up at 6:30 for the gym, I am worn out by 1:00.  Without any fuss, during MaryJane's nap, Sadie allows me to take a little nap on the couch while she quietly colors, plays or watches Tom and Jerry.  

Bless her heart.  She must know how much I live for these naps!  

Today during rest time,  my heart was filled with so much gratitude for Sadie's easy going nature that I scooped her up, kissed her all over and asked her if she knew how much mommy loved her.

And her response, "Not very much because your kids are such a pain in the butt."

Where did she hear that?  

Hmm.  

She went on to tell me that because of my "big fat belly" it makes it hard for me to pick up after my kids.  I better stop complaining.  6 more weeks.  My poor family.

Sadie got a major tickle torture for that response.  I've been laughing ever since.   

Strawberry Jam

Why hasn't anyone reminded me how easy it is to make freezer jam?

It's been 7 years since I've made it and I can't figure out why I haven't done it since.

I'm just going to give you a little idea of how easy it really is.

Fill the cute little 8 oz. jars,

And voila!  You've got freezer jam!

I honestly think I spent more time taking pictures of these cute little red jars in my aqua kitchen 

than I did actually making the jam.  

I bought 1 container of strawberries at Costco, and made two batches using 2 boxes of Sure-Jel for the pectin. A total of 12 jars.  I even had left over strawberries to eat.  

Yum. 

Discomforting

Do you want to know what is very disturbing to me?  

Finding a fresh thread of a spider web strung across my seat in the car glistening in the sun.

And then on the very same day, while shopping at Costco, filling a tickle in my shirt on my chest.

Peeking casually down my shirt to find a ladybug crawling on me.

I had the Heebie-jeebies all day.

Spiders are gross.  They scare me to death.

Ladybugs are cute.  

Just not on me and especially when I thought it could be a spider.
Now lets hope I don't get in a car accident. 

A little outdoor fun

We are so anxious for warmer weather.  A few pics of the girls I couldn't resist posting.

Lately they are into hanging out on the side porch for some reason.  

MaryJane likes to pretend that she is Ariel and she could sing "ah ah ah..." there all day.

Like her big sister, she loves to live in a fantasy world.

My cutie enjoying our little picnic.  I love her pony tail.

MaryJane thought she died and gone to heaven when we brought out the Barbie 4 wheeler.  

It made it's 1st appearance for the season and I couldn't get that little girl off the thing.

I can't get enough of MaryJane at this age!  I wish she would stay two forever!  She is the happiest little girl who gets excited at almost anything.  Everything she says ends with and exclamation point!

Anytime we call MaryJane baby, princess or anything but her name, she instantly corrects us with 

"no, I'n NaryJane!" with her hand pointing to her neck.

This picture captures her cute little expression she gives when she says it.

Oh, how I love her!

Mother's Day weekend 2010

The young women of our ward had a fundraiser for Girls Camp.  We offered chocolate covered strawberries and carmel/chocolate covered pretzels for Mother's Day.  The men in our ward LOVED this idea!  We raised over $700.  Way more than expected.  

Saturday morning we dipped 250 strawberries, 220 Pretzels, boxed, bagged and delivered them.  

It was a pretty easy fundraiser.  Especially with all the help of the young women.

For details on the fundraiser, click here.

Sadie was so into Mother's day.  She was so excited to bring me breakfast in bed. 

My favorite, French Toast.  Thanks Kev, it was delicious!

Cole was the first to wake me up with his gift he made at school.  

It was quite sweet to see the kids excited for this day.

My cute little waitress.

MaryJane thought breakfast in bed was a pretty good idea too.  She helped me enjoy every bite!

 Kevin prepared my favorite dinner for his Mom and I. 

Great weather, great food and great company.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother.  I just love every minute of it.

Thanks to the Mom's in my life, for all you do for me and my little family!  

Cole's first stitches

Wow!  What a busy day.  It was Sunday, the day I had a lots of meetings, the day Kevin was leaving for a week long buisness trip.  And Cole, at church, seemed to have walked pass something and "bumped his eye"(not so eventful).  It left a big gaping cut and without question needed stitches.  

Luckily there was time to have him seen before Kevin's flight.  

He was so brave.  Getting stitches didn't hurt him a bit.  I love that numbing stuff!  Made for a very easy first time experience!  

Just after our trip, I got a little sewing bug a made MaryJane this dress.

She loves it!

I wish I had all the time to sew.  I have so many ideas of little summer dress.  Just no time. :(

The girls thought it was too coldy to take pictures.  So it quickly ended the photo session.

Cole is 7!

Cole had his 7th birthday!

Wow, he is growing up way too fast!

I told him to show me 7 (I meant 7 fingers) to take a picture of and he came up with the above photo. 

 I love his face.

Aunt Jill is always so awesome and sent Cole a package on his very day.

She sent a little something for Sadie and MaryJane too.  

As you can tell, Sadie was THRILLED with her dolphin bag.  She carried it for days...school, church, you name it.

Kevin got Cole a scooter from us.  He loves it!  

His friend party was at the Bounce zone, his favorite.  He had a blast!  

Donuts were his pick for the cake.  Love the ease of the party!

Cole is my affectionate little buddy!  He is always there to give me a snuggle.  Especially when I'm pregnant.  The continuing growth of my belly seems to always fascinate him.  

I love this kid to pieces!

Can't get over how fast time flies!  

Spring Break part two

The rest of our California Trip...

The girls played dress up non stop!

Despite the cooler water, the Kids could not resist getting into Nate's pool.  

It didn't take long for Kevin to make the kids one of his most desirable hot tubs!

We met up with Kevin's brother and friend at the beach in Santa Monica. 

Lance brought his pet and MaryJane didn't know what to think of it.  I couldn't get enough of her clinging to her daddy.  So cute.  

Sadie thought she'd died and gone to heaven.  Since recently watching Mary Poppins,  She has been dying for a bird to sit on her finger!  Well, she got that and a whole lot more!

Cole on the other hand didn't seem to care for it.  He let it climb on him but wanted it to end pretty quick.  

(Love his serious face)

All five of us needed to have uncle Mike up date our family in dental work.  Luckily, no cavities for any of us!  :)  Cole went first, then Sadie.  MaryJane was so cute.  When it came to her turn, we sat her in the chair and she just popped her mouth open as wide as she could and stayed that way.  She was so excited.    As usual.  Her personality is hilarious!

Cousin Jaida made for a great assistant.

We spent two days in Chantel's parents beautful backyard and pool!  I didn't take many pics of the kids.:(  I was in full relaxation mode.  

Another day at the beach.  Wish we did that more!  Nate lives near Huningtion Beach.  Great beach!

I'm ready to move to the beach!  It is so relaxing even with kids!  I didn't know that those too words could fit in the same sentence.  But honestly, it's heaven!

Easter 2010

I'm finally getting around to posting Easter!  We had a great time in beautiful California over spring break.  A big thank you to our families in Cali. for letting our crazy bunch stay with them!

We started our morning off by dying eggs.

And attempted family photos at a near by park.

Always a chore to get them all looking at the camera.  I love MaryJane's little face here.  Suits her personality quite well.

I made the girls dresses again this year.  Very similar to the dresses I made last year.  Sadie's request, "puffy sleeves and a sash".  I made Cole's tie too.  I'm not in love with the fabric but it was fun and easy to learn.

After a wonderful Easter dinner prepared by my fabulous mother, we had a little Easter egg hunt at Nate's house.

We were so lucky to be in sunny California and have beautiful Easter weather!