a birthday, day of service, a trip, another birthday & a baptism

March Madness is right! This has been a crazy busy month. But it has been a wonderful, exciting time!

Natalie turned eight! We are not used to having a birthday during school. Two are in the summer, two usually fall during spring break, and now we have one at the end of May. I really wanted to make the day special for her, so I brought her a balloon bouquet to school along with flowers and a treat for the class. She loved it! It is fun because she gets very excited about the little things : )

Then in the evening, we took some of our favorite people with us to Peter Piper Pizza and celebrated Natalie's birthday. I usually make a really fun cake for birthdays, but Travis said he thinks it would be nice if the cake tasted yummy instead of looking pretty. I was okay with that because it simplified the day and made for a great dessert!

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One of my amazing sister in-laws told me about a program Disney is putting on this year called "Give a Day, Get a Day". Basically, you sign up with the "On Hands Network" to do some sort of service and after your day of service, Disney gives you tickets to one of their parks. I thought this was a great idea and started looking for a service project that our kids would enjoy. I found a horse rescue organization that was looking for volunteers and I signed up immediately.

We didn't tell the kids that they would be doing service to go Disneyland. I kind of thought that was defeating the purpose of serving. Natalie and TJ were the only ones old enough to go and they were anticipating it for weeks. Grandad and Grandma Laney went with us and we had a wonderful experience. . .

We cleaned out horse stalls and painted the chicken coop,

chased chickens and met a mule, watched two llamas wrestle, saw a tortoise, brushed and fed some horses, and just really enjoyed a chance to help out some animals in need. We all hope to make another trip out to the facility to help again.

When we got home I rushed off to sing for my friend at her piano students' recital. Then, we went next door to help our neighbors, Harry and Nell, celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary!! What great people! Then Travis spent the rest of the night helping out at our stake Youth Conference. Craziness. The good kind!

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Our next adventure came the next Tuesday as we headed out to visit my sister, Alissa, in the Gila Valley. Our kids just LOVE the time they get to spend together. So even though caring for 11 kids all in one house for 3 days is a huge task, we thought it would be worth it. Alissa was a great hostess as usual, making yummy meals, providing lots of activities to do and just being happy and calm through the wild times! The first day we were there, Carolyn (4) fell off the monkey bars and bit through her lip. ER here we come! Luckily, that was the extent of the injuries. Well, the ones a kiss couldn't make better anyway!

One of the funnest things we did was go to this great park. We would have stayed there all day if the kids had their way. I loved how big and fun this playground was.

Cousins are so much fun. I am so happy that Alissa and I have kids the same age that really get along. Families are so special. A three hour drive isn't soooo bad!

These kids were worn out by the time we left their cousins house. T.J. got to stay an extra day and we took Cami home. So much fun for everyone!

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The day after we got home was Tyler's birthday. He is finally four! I say finally because we had some rough spots during the three year for Tyler. He is a bit stubborn and maybe slightly spoiled (thanks Grandpa!). But he is really a hoot to be around. He is constantly making us laugh. Our neighbors call him "Boots" because he rarely goes anywhere without the cowboy boots Grandpa gave him for his birthday last year. Tyler is really sweet too. He is very loving and likes to cuddle. He and his Dad are best buddies.

I love how he could hardly contain his giddiness as we sang to him. He had been asking to open presents all morning. . .

As Tyler's day ended. He told me that he really likes birthdays. I asked if he wanted another birthday tomorrow. "Yes!!!" he said. I am not ready for him to turn five!

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The following day was Natalie's baptism. On March 20, 2010, Natalie was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

What a special day it was for her, and me, and those friends and family who were able to attend. Natalie was so excited, she just beamed.

After Travis baptized Natalie, I helped her change into her dry clothes. I asked her how she was feeling. Through her chattering teeth (from the cold), she said, "I am so happy!"

It was a perfect day! Love you Natalie!!

Richard also was baptized and I thought the picture of them together was too cute!

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Well, we finished off the month with dentist appointments for all the kids, a couple of dr. visits and a few vaccinations. Sorry Tyler! A girls camp fundraiser (huge garage sale), and a Ragnar Reunion party.

I am officially worn out! April take me away!!!

My Natalie

Natalie turned eight yesterday.

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She had been counting down the days for over a week because she was sooo excited to have a birthday.

I have been feeling so blessed to be her mother. I am so happy celebrate her life.

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I love my Natalie.

When she was born, she cried for 3 months straight. I worried about her, I cried some, I hoped she would get it all out and never cry again, I loved her anyways. That is what mothers do. Then it got better.

She has truly been a joy ever since.

Some of the things I love about Natalie:

• She is kind to everyone & never wants to see anyone sad
• She is enthusiastic, everything is really great (and on occasion really bad)
• She works hard
• She tries again when she fails and never quits
• Natalie always feels sorry if she make a mistake and is quick to make it right
• She is a natural mother
• She stands up for what is right
• Natalie loves animals, flowers, dancing, drawing, singing, sports, learning, and trying new things
• She is shy when it comes to performing
• She hugs me and scratches my back

I remember one time when Natalie was little: It was the end of the day and I was at the end of my rope with motherly tasks and Natalie calls out, "Mo-om!" The call that comes in two syllables. The one that means they want you to do something or need you for some reason. So, I yell back, "What, Natalie?" The one that means, "What do you need now? I have been helping you all day and I just need a little break!" She then simply and sweetly says, "I love you." That is Natalie. She is a great blessing to our home and a true friend.

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She and I may not relate when it comes to jewelry & high heels or dogs, slugs, and worms, but she is has taught me that it is better to give than to receive and that love is the greatest quality we can develop.

I love you Natalie. I am excited for you to be baptized and know that you are on the right path. You will surely serve God's children throughout your life and be a blessing to many. You are a blessing to me.

Happy Birthday to You!!!

Let the Good Times Roll!

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So, I have been neglecting my blog for the whole of 2010. Life has felt crazier than normal, but I am not going to get discouraged! I have never been good at playing "catch up". There are definitely some things I don't want to forget though! Let the good times roll:


On New Year's we spent the day at the snow. It was a perfect day in a perfect spot. We went with our cousins and had lots of fun. It didn't take long for the kids to get too cold, but they warmed up with some homemade soup and hot chocolate. I hope we make this a yearly tradition!

Puppy Love: Natalie has been begging for months to have a puppy. I tried in vain to convince her that a baby is so much better and that we can't take care of a baby and a puppy. No go. Well, for Christmas, the kids got a guinea pig. He is really cute and manageable. It just so happens that his name is "Puppy" : ) They have lots of good times with the little guy!

Pirate Day at preschool. What a great day to have during "Pp" week! The kids have such a great time on this day. They get to choose a new pirate name (Tyler only wanted Pirate Peter. We had a lot of fun coming up with all the P names he could be and he would get so mad at us because only Pirate Peter would please him!), they went on a treasure hunt, and the got to act like a pirate all day (no manners at the table, etc.). We love Mrs. Sandy!

Lydia + blue crayon = Body Art

More art! The kids were having a great time drawing on the white board and they didn't want to erase it. I got some photos to preserve those wonderful masterpieces! Gotta love kids' artwork, too fun. TJ's have such personality!

This was TJ's second year doing the pinewood derby. His car was the Raptor Rocket. He got second in his bear pack and 6th overall in the stake. The whole family had a great time watching him race. I think the girls want to make a car next year. . .

I sneaked up on TJ practicing piano one morning. Sometimes I wonder. . . and then I laugh!

Maybe he is not the only strange one! I came out with this wig on one day and the kids thought it was so funny. They said I looked like my mom, Grandma Laney! Then Tyler got a bit mad at me telling me to take it off. I guess he prefers brunettes!

An Arizona sunrise. Love that : )

My good friend, Melanie, took some beautiful pictures of Natalie as an eight year portrait. They turned out so nice. Her birthday is in 2 days and she can't wait. She will be baptized later in the month. I love my Natalie.She is such a sweet, good girl.

All I can say is TROUBLE!!! And she laughs as she messes. I am wondering what I am in for with this one. She started taking steps this week (just turned 9 months old!).

These are 1/2 of the wonderful women I ran the Ragnar Relay with. Lisa, Teresa, Stacey, Carlotta, Fressia, me, and Kim. We had a great time with ups and downs (literally, ha ha). I am so lucky to have had this experience with these ladies! Go gForce!!!

This is a picture of Kay and me. I met Kay during the relay race. She is 73 years old! She ran the Boston Marathon last year. She is an inspiration and such a nice woman. I hope I can be like her when I am white haired elderly. Is that so awesome (as Tyler would say)?

This is the other half of our runners. Cori (bright as an angel!), Kelly, Brooke, Kelly, and Nikki. Somehow I missed our other Brooke and our drivers, Mindy and Bud.

It was definitely an experience like no other and I am glad I did it!

Hopefully I will get back into the blogging habit. I love having a bit of a record of our little family.

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