Count your many blessings...

Thanksgiving isn't until tomorrow, but we will most likely be busy cooking and playing and stuff and I wanted to make sure I wrote down the blessings in my life that I am most grateful for.

My husband. What can I say, I am one lucky woman. He provides for us without one complaint. He adores his     children. He treats me with respect and kindness even when I don't deserve it. He is my best friend.

My kids. They drive me nuts and make me want to rip my hair out, but they are awesome. Their smiles are contagious, when they laugh I can't help but stop and listen, they love each other and they are definitely the best thing I have ever helped create.

My siblings. I have no doubt that they are always only a phone call away. We fight like cats and dogs, but if anyone messes with one of us, the claws come out. We are like a wolf pack and we show no mercy. Seriously, my brother and sisters are awesome!

My parents. Through their successes and their mistakes they have taught me to be the type of parent that I want to be. They showed me that you can go through hard times and come out the other side stronger and wiser. They have shown me what unconditional love really is.

My in-laws. Remember that awesome husband I was telling you about? Well, these are the people I have to thank for him. I am so blessed to be a part of their family. They are so willing to help us and our little family. Our children adore them and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual.

My friends and neighbors. Without these people, I would most likely go insane. They provide other kids for mine to play with and adult conversation for me. Until you are a stay at home parent, you can never really understand the importance of adult conversation.

There are so many other great and wonderful things that I am thankful for. I thank my Father in Heaven ever day for the blessings that he has sent to me.

LEAVES!!!!!

There are so many awesome things about fall but one of my favorites is the leaves. They are just beautiful. And for a kid they offer hours of fun!!

Field trip to the pumpkin patch

I volunteered to plan the field trip for October. I found a farm in Kuna that does free hayrides to their pumpkin patch. It was a super easy and fun field trip.

On the hayride to the pumpkin patch.

Hmmm....I think that one is a little to big.

Awww...just right.

The awesome tractor that drove us to the pumpkin patch.

Got our pumpkin, time to head back.

Yeah!!! Snack time!

At our house, October = Birthdays!!

Do you ever have those months that when they are over, you sit down and think "Man, I'm glad that's over"? For me, that month is October. Don't get me wrong, it is a great month, filled with lots of fun and cake but it is also very exhausting. All three kids have their birthdays in October so it is one party after another around here. 

This year I let the kids decide what they wanted to do for their birthdays. 

Jarred decided to invite his friend Andrew to go to Planet Kid with us. So we spent a couple of hours there and then went home. 

The next day we celebrated all three birthday's (plus their cousin Sierra's b-day) with the Bender side. I made a three tier cake and they each chose how their layer would be decorated. Ella didn't care as long as it was pink, Jarred wanted a diamond back rattlesnake, and Kylee's was black with neon "paint splatters". 

For Kylee's birthday we went out on a girls night and she chose her friend Allason to come with us. We went to dinner at Five Guys and then I took them to DSW (Designer Shoe Warehouse) and they tried on all different types of shoes. Then we went to Kendall's and did karaoke. Sadly, I didn't get pictures of any of that. :( 

Ella decided that she wanted to have a friend party. However, if you called it her birthday party, she would get very upset. It was her "pink" party. She had been planning it for about a month before her actual birthday. She wanted pink balloons, a pink cake, and a "inyata" (pinata). I was very crafty and made almost everything for the party. Ella helped me make the pinata. I also made her a birthday banner but I forgot to take a picture of it. I made the goody bags and Ella decorated them. The party was very, very, very pink. 

You know that awkward moment when everyone is singing happy birthday to you and you just aren't sure what to do with yourself? Well, Ella thought that it would be a good time to pick her nose.

So, it has been an exhausting month, but also really fun. 

Bye bye terrible 2s!!!!

About four years ago, my heart was aching. I so badly wanted another child and for whatever reason, it just wasn't happening for us. For two years, we had been trying to get pregnant. And then finally, we got our wish! Nine months later this beautiful little angel was born. Daddy has a nickname for each of the kids. Kylee is Baby Doll, Jarred is Buddy, and Ella is Princess. She has lived up to her nickname since birth!!

Look at that little ruffle butt!! So cute!!

My 5 most favorite things about this princess are:

1. Her curly hair. 

2. Her sweet little voice in the morning calling out for me to come let her out of her room and then the big hug and smile I get after I open the door. 

3. She loves to be with me. No matter what I am doing. Cooking dinner, messing around on the computer, going to get the mail. Doesn't matter what I am doing, she just loves to be with her mommy.

4. When she closes her imaginary doors so that we can't get her when we play monster. 

5. Her system for getting what she wants. I am sure when she is older I won't find this to be so cute, but for now it cracks me up. When she wants something, she says in one breath "mommy can I have xyz ok thanks!" So funny! 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!!! We love you!!!!

Double digits! Yikes!!

When does 1+1=3? Well, I will tell you! It happens when two people become the luckiest people in the world. That was us 10 years ago. Our sweet, stubborn, beautiful little girl was born and we were so happy to welcome her into our lives. 

My five most favorite things about this little lady are:

1. She is the world's biggest girly girl and tom boy all rolled into one. 

2. She is a morning person. To most people this may not be a big deal, but to a mom who has to get her kids off to school in the morning, this IS a big deal. She is always happy in the morning and is usually ready to go before I even get up. I am so lucky!

3. She is a hard worker. If I ask her to clean a room, she just does it, usually with little to no whining. It's awesome!

4. Her hair. She has gorgeous, THICK hair. I absolutely love it!

5. She is such a good big sister. Ella adores her. Ella is usually my shadow while Kylee is at school, but as soon as Ky gets home, I no longer exist. 

Love you Kylee!!! Happy Birthday!!!

Jarred turns 7

Today, this little cutie turned 7!! That's right, 7!!! Wasn't he such a cute baby?

Here are my 5 most favorite things about Jarred:

1. He loves to cuddle. 

2. His laugh is awesome.

3. His imagination. This kid can act out any scenario all by himself without skipping a beat. It is awesome to watch.

4. His head. Weird right? I don't know what it is about his head, I just love it. I love to kiss his sweet little face and rub his short, short hair.

5. His random "I love you"s. He will just walk up to me and randomly tell me he loves me and then walks away. 

Happy Birthday Jarred!!!!!

Never forget...

Whenever September 11th comes around, everyone always says "never forget" and I think to myself, "is it even possible to forget?". There are certain things about that day that I would love to forget. I would love to forget the anger, the sadness, the images of so many people trapped and dying. I would love to forget the feeling of fear and hopelessness. I would love to forget that so many women lost their husbands, men lost their wives, mothers and fathers lost their sons and daughters, children lost their parents, and so many lost their lives.

I remember that day like it was yesterday. I was 8 1/2 months pregnant with Kylee and was working 12 hour night shifts and so when I got home that morning I of course climbed right into bed and turned on the TV. I saw the first tower was burning and thought "holy cow, what happened?". Then, as I was sitting there the second plane hit and I was in shock. It was obvious that there was no way that was an accident. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. What was happening? Why was it happening? How could this be happening? I just sat there rocking back and forth, holding my very pregnant belly with tears streaming down my face. I just stared at my belly with my sweet baby in there and cried, saying to myself "How could I be so selfish?! How could I bring a child into this world when there were so many horrible things happening? How could I choose to bring her into this world where hundreds of innocent people were being murdered?" I cried for what felt like hours (but was probably just a few minutes) and then I felt a wave of peace wash over me and then the thought entered my head that said "This child could change the world. She could help bring peace and tolerance to those around her. It would be more selfish to not bring her into this world." With tears still streaming down my face, I suddenly had hope. Hope that the world could be a better place.

So, on September 11th, when I say that I will never forget, what I mean is that I will never forget that there is always hope for a better world.

Preschool

This year Ella and I are in a Preschool Co-op. 5 other moms and  I take turns teaching our little ones. The first day was actually two days ago, but I was teaching and so I didn't get any pictures so I am going to pretend that this was her first day. 

Here is her cute little backpack.

Such a cutie!

Puzzles!!! 

So far preschool is going pretty good. The kids are only 2, so their attention span is...well...nonexistent. It seems like chaos, but I know that they are learning something, because Ella has been walking around all day telling me what sound K makes. Next week we are going to the zoo for a field trip. Yeah!!!

Camping Part three

The last day of camping, we were just there in the morning. The wasps were super bad so we spent the whole time in the camper. 

Playing UNO. Jarred was quite the little UNO player. Notice his cards are under the table so that no one can see them. 

Ella was so helpful. She was really good at showing everyone my cards. :)

Last year for vacation, we went to Disneyland. We asked the kids which they preferred. Kylee of course said Disneyland (I didn't expect anything different). Jarred, however, said that camping was "way better". He had so much fun. On the way home he said "I can't wait to have a son so that I can take him camping". 

Camping Part two

The 2nd day of camping was super relaxing. It was just the 5 of us all day. 

Daddy and Jarred are building a campfire so that we can cook some hot dogs. 

Chillin' by the fire.

This kid is such a cuddler.

Trying not to breathe in the smoke.

Love her face here. I can't remember if she was just trying to be goofy or if the smoke was bugging her. Either way, she is to stinkin' cute!

Taking Ella for a little ride up the road.

Waiting for her turn. She has been learning to ride the 4 wheeler and Daddy let her control it the whole time she was riding.

The wasps were really bad where we were, so we spent a lot of time in the trailer playing cards. Here is Daddy and Jarred playing Go Fish. 

Camping Part one

For Labor Day, we went camping in Oregon.

Ella and Jarred playing by the creek.

Ella's favorite thing was throwing random items in the creek.

Brian and Krissy's camper that they let us stay in. It was actually quite comfortable and nice and warm (which was a good thing because the temp got down to 25 at night).

Daddy working hard getting wood ready for the campfire.

Looking for deer.

Ready to go 4wheeling!!!

A couple deer we saw while 4wheeling.

Brian looking for water creatures with the kids.

Our first full day camping was pretty fun. We went 4wheeling most of the day and then spent the evening in La Grande at Krissy's parents house so that Rich could watch the Boise St. vs Georgia game.