Inspiring

So there are a lot of you out there who have fabulous blogs. I read them and I am inspired to try new things. Other peoples lives always seem so much more interesting! It seems since Sara was born I have stopped doing much of anything and just focused on surviving. My friend Allison has 2 little boys under 1 year and she has so much going on, she Is Super Mom! So I am inspired to read more, learn more and stop complaining about my lack of sleep. Hopefully I will share some of the things I have planned.

I attended Women's Conference last night and it was great. A little embarrassed, but that was actually the first time I've ever attended, watch or read it. Actually a lot embarrassed, hence the state of my spirituality. I was really surprised when Pres. Monson encouraged women to 'Study Hard, to educate ourselves and continue our learning'. Why was I surprised? Not sure, I know we are encouraged to pursue and education. I guess somewhere along the way I just figured, 'I'm married, with kids and I don't have the time." Well, now that Ry is starting Kindergarten, I have discovered I have no clue what all the 'Rules' are to teach him to read. It's a bit frightening actually.

Something else Pres Monson mentioned was Prayer. I have this cycle in my life, pray regularly...somehow get out of the habit...feel bad about it for a long time, but still don't pray...begin to pray again and see so much more in my life...wonder why I ever stopped in the first place. I'm at the begin again stage right now, feels a lot better.

The Day in the Life of a Mother

Softball Champs!

Barry's softball team took 1st place again for the Fall season! They were also 1st this summer. We have had so much fun playing softball again this year. Our last coed game is next week and I will be sad to have it end. Playing catch has been good for me, double headers every week means about 400 squats every friday...Literally, to bad I'm not seeing much results!

Bad Words and Sassy Sauce

A conversation with Ryan-

Ryan drops his cup and says 'Oh Hell'.
I tell him that we don't say that word, it's a bad word.
He says, 'Oh, do we say Holy Hell?'
No Ry, Hell is the bad word, I say.
He responds, 'well at least I didn't say the 'S' word like Jena. Besides mom, you can put 'Sassy Sauce' on my tongue but I will just like it.

I put Tabasco on Jena's tongue when she says the 'S' word, which is way to often, so it's obviously not working. But Ryan's favorite food is spicy chicken wings, so he knows that sassy sauce is no punishment to him.

80's tights

I can't get over the styles lately. Here are Jen's 80's tights, no they are not leggings, I refuse to buy leggings, they are footless tights that she pull clear to her knees cause 'She's hot'. Don't you love the glitter shoes...The things my kids can talk me into buying.

Teething

This is Sara's favorite thing to do at the Softball Games.
I complain a lot that she is such a momma's girl, but she is really so good, she will sit in the stroller and entertain herself for an hour at our softball games.

Happy Birthday Ryan!

We had a Baseball birthday party for Ryan's 6th Bday and it was a fun day.
Musical Bases

After many good attempts at the pinata, Barry finally had to do the job.
Water Balloon Baseball was really fun!
We told Ryan about Birthday Spankings and how
I used to love this when I was a kid and he decided it would be pretty fun too.Ball and Bat Races around the house

Dancing Class

Jen took dance 2 years ago and loved it, I put her back in this year and it is the highlight of her week. Barry is counting on Sara to be the ball player cause unless Jena can twirl her way around the bases, she is not interested.

First Day of Kindergarten

Ry's first day of Kindergarten was "No big deal". The moms got to stay with them for this first day. What did my son have to say by the time school was over? "Mom, don't walk down the hall with me, Ok." I'm trying to pretend it's "No big deal". :)

I wish I was this cute

A Bumpy Ride

Barry and Sara mowing the lawn. Check out those thighs!

Why are you not holding me?

This is just so Sara! Such a momma's girl, she can't be put down for more that 5 minutes! I find this video pretty funny, you can hear me laughing in it. Jena would say, "Your so mean!"

Nate and Ashley's Wedding

Well, they finally did it, Nate and Ashley got married on August 7th. It was a fun day, Congrats!
I don't really have a great picture of them together, but here are some cute ones.


Some more from the day...

This one was just funny of Don (Barry's Dad) airing himself out. It was So HOT!

Chris and Ry waiting for the Ring Ceremony to begin.

Barry and his brothers, Dallas and Richard (minus Nate)I don't think Castlebrook will let us back after letting the kids loose outside! Where are their Parents!

Jena could hardly stand it when people started dancing, she stood to the side and watch and twirled by herself. FINALLY, daddy asked her to dance and she was SO excited! This is her running over to him when he asked.

And here they are dancing, it was quite the Photo-Op. Very, very Cute!

Weeeeee!

I believe Granny has definetly gotten her money's worth out of this swing! It is used daily! And this is what happens when you have a big brother, you become the swing! We are calling it Jena Surfing. Looks fun huh?

Butts

Ok, I did think twice before posting this picture, but it is just so cute! I mean come on, you know Buzz Lightyear was digging being in the tub with those two cute Butts!

A Family Photo

Here you go. All of you who keep asking for a recent family picture. This is as good as your gonna get!

Thanks to Allie

I have tried for about, 3 years to get Jena to lay down in the tub and rinse her hair. When she saw Allie do it while they were here, she decided she would do it too. After this pictures she thinks it's the coolest way to rinse. "Mom, it doesn't even hurt or get in my eyes or ears, and it sounds funny under the water." Amazing how even though I swear I know things, I swear I tell them to my kids, but I never really know anything until they decide to tell me! Good thing my kids are so smart!

The Cousins were Here!

Everyone came home for Grandma Nielsen's funeral at the end of July. Ry and Jena (us too) were so excited to see Spencer and Allie, Bart & Karen, and Matt that could hardly stand it! "When will they be here?" now times that by 200 a day for 4 days until they finally arrived!

They had a great time together and we miss them like crazy even more. "When can we go to Boston?" times 200 a day x 42 days (the number of days they've been gone). After 2 years of them living near Boston, and Matt in South Carolina, the reality of how far that is has just never hit home for my kids.
We Miss You and Love you all!

Cancel that last ad

Never mind, he has found 2 really cute chics who adore him!

Matt, Jena and Allie at Grandma Nielsen's funeral in July.

Single White Male

Single White Male, often referred to by girls as 'Hot', quiet but unexpectedly funny, lives for adventure which includes pissing you off just for fun, can fly a helicopter and play an unusually small ukulele. Currently living in South Carolina. Seeks a fun, long brown haired chic who likes the outdoors, adventure, and can put up with a bit of (rhyme, you'll get it!).

You know your old when....

You know your old when...your son can make you sick with none stop spinning in this thing.

The OompaLoompa Chair

This Chair has been an life saver this summer. I have a baby who demands to be held. This thing puts her in clear view of life up top and gives me 10 minutes here and there. I Love It! I highly recommend it for all baby's! Uncle Matt named it the OompaLoompa Chair and it stuck. (From Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for those of you who don't know...Mom!)

Fishing

Barry and Ryan and a quick but fun fishing trip with the cousins and here is Ry's fish.

Classic Jena

If you haven't seen Jena in a while, your not missing much...This is the face she typically displays along with a very convincing GROWL. Four years old is such a defiant age in our family. I can't wait till she's 5. Maybe she'll chill out a little bit. ONLY 8 more months to see. Until then we will have to continue to tickle the Grumps out.

I know, everyone is saying "just enjoy this time." Well, I really don't, I do enjoy this picture though if that helps.

Catching Up...

Well, I figure summer is over and school is in so I should catch up on my blog, you all have some cute ones out there so it has inspired me to get posting again. We'll see how long it will last though! :)