Happy Easter!

It was so much fun to have my mom here for Easter this year! Issac and I flew home from Hawaii through the night on Friday, and arrived at home at 10:30 Sat. morning after not getting much sleep as you can imagine. We had already planned to have our family Easter party with my brother and his family that afternoon. Luckily I was thinking and pretty much had everything done before I left (230 plastic eggs filled with candy, eggs bought and ready to be boiled and decorated, party bags filled, and the ham ready to cook)

We were really tired, but I was so glad that we did it. It has become a tradition since we moved here and I love it! It also was the first time that I was able to see my new niece, Mauriana. Such a cutie!

We hunted eggs, decorated eggs, ate tons of yummy food and just sat and visited. It was really nice. Then of course the kids got their baskets Sunday morning before we headed off to church. It was a really nice Easter, just missed the nap (hard to do when we have church at 1:00). :)

ALOHA !!!!!

So my amazing husband was a top salesman during the 4th quarter last year and earned the company trip to Kauai, Hawaii. We were so excited to get out of the snow and get away together for a few days. My wonderful mom agreed to come out and stay with the kids so that we could go. Hopefully it didn't hurt too much! :)

We had a great time despite only getting one day of sunshine. It was cloudy and windy and on the cooler side! Totally worth the trip though. It was nice to just be alone and spend some time one on one. We can't wait to go back though, and hope that we can even take the kids with us sometime!

One of our favorite things that we did was a Zip Line Adventure. We got to do 9 different zip lines and go over a suspension bridge. It was so much fun! We also really enjoyed the Luau. Unfortuantly the water was so rough that the beaches kept getting closed so we didn't get to try our hand at surfing or even snorkeling on this trip. I gesss we'll just have to go back and try it another time!

Ribbons and Bows!

I got very proactive and decided to try to make my own hair bows for McKenna. They are so cute, but so dang expensive in the stores. I was pleasantly surprised at just how easy it was. Now I really think that they are over priced!

Thanks to Nicki for the link and directions!

Wesley's Science Fair

We are so proud of Wesley for participating in the science fai this year. He didn't place but got some good ideas for next year and I think learned quite a bit from the experinece this year.

Go Rhett Go!

I still can't believe that I decided to take on a Diego party with 12 four year olds, but it was a success. Rhett had a blast and is so proud to be a big boy now!

Valentine's Day 2009

Sorry that it took so long to get this blog posted. We had a minor problem with our computer. Better late than never though, right?

We had a fun little celebration at our house. My brother and three of his kids came as did my mom who was here visiting because my sister-in-law had just had a baby. Unfortunately they were not up for the festivities, but the rest of us had a good time.

It was snowing pretty good for most of the day, but we kept warm with pizza and then chocolate fondue with all sorts of goodies for dipping. I also made a peanut butter chocolate pie to celebrate a little early for my brothers birthday.

We ended the celebration with exchanging little goodie bags that we'd made. I gave each of the kids some bought candy, and I made chocolate bark for the adults. I hope that it was all good. I was still on my diet and was not allowed to partake in any of the wonderful treats this year! :(
It was a nice day though and very glad to have been able to spend it with family.

Potty Training!

Ok, I am at a complete loss now. Rhett, who will be 4 years old on the 24th of Feb. still has no desire to master the whole potty training thing. He got peeing down no problem. He hasn't even had an accident at night. But getting him to do his business in the toilet instead of his underwear is just not happening. McKenna, who is almost 19 months old, wants to potty train more than anything. She throws a complete fit when she is forced to put a diaper on. That doesn't last long though, because she has figured out how to get out of everything and wants to be naked all day. She will go in and sit on her little potty and has even peed in it a coupld of times. Is it crazy that she might actually be fully trained before Rhett is? I know that everyone says that boys are harder than girls, but this just seems silly. McKenna has not yet grown out of her little stage of taking her diaper off, so we have resorted to taping it on her. I feel silly doing it, until I remember just how many times I have found poop on my carpet or other fun places. :0) Oh the joys of motherhood!

His Royal Magesty!

Last night we went to the Utah State 2009 kick off party for Aflac. They hold this every year at the end of Jan. to recognize those agents that have achieved certain levels of productivity and to get everyone pumped for the new year and activities that are planned. It is a very nice evening at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. They have music, an amazing dinner, decorations to go with the current year's theme, awards and prizes. It was fun to meet and visit with other agents that Issac works with and to finally put a face to names that I hear now and then. Besides getting to dress up, eating great food for free, and getting out without the kids, the night was extra special. As soon as we walked into the room, two of the girls that Issac knew came right up to us and congratulated him. We don't always know which awards or achievements he's earned until that night. I was so proud to be on his arm, even more than usual.

Issac earned a spot in the $150,000 Club and the 2008 Key Club - Rookie Bronze. He was the only agent to earn his Gold Star. He won one of the most prestigious awards, which was the Opened Most New Groups Award and qualified for this years State Convention Trip to Kuaui, Hawaii in April. For each award he was named and asked to come up on stage where they presented him with various plaques and awards and had his picture taken with the Territory Director and Regional Sales Director. Issac was called up on stage more than anyone else.

I remember last year, after only one year, we pretty much just sat there and clapped for everyone else. Issac said, "Next year that will be me!" He was right. He did it, and I am so proud of him. He works so hard and often has days or even weeks where it feels like he's working nonstop but nothing is coming from it. For all those days and nights that you feel frustrated baby, I want you to know how proud of you I am for never giving up and for keeping our family going. I am with you till the end. Good times and bad, now and forever. I love you Issac!

Old School!

Issac and I were able to go out on an actual date this past weekend! It is so nice that the older boys are finallyold enough to watch the younger two. Finding a babysitter has always been way more work than it's worth. Any way, it has been quite a while since just the two of us have been able to get out and spend a litte time together. We had a nice dinner at Applebee's and then we went bowling and played some pool and got ice cream. Just like the good old days! It was so much fun and way better than just watching a movie in a dark movie theatre. We were able to talk and laugh and really have a good time. Not to mention that there is no way I could have beat Issac 1-1 in bowling and 4-0 in pool! Oh yeah baby! We had such a nice time and Issac was a good sport. :) I love my man so much and love that I get to spend time with him and rediscover all the fun little things about him. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the blessing of sending him to me. How can you love any one thing so much? I love you baby! For Eternity!

Happy Birthday Wesley!

I can hardly believe how fast time has gone by. My little baby just turned 11 years old. How in the world did that happen? I am so proud of the amazing young man that he is becoming though. He is such a great big brother to both his younger brothers and his little sister. I just love watching him play with them and take care of them. He continually impresses us with his athletic skills and his academic abilities. He has such a sweet spirit and loving personality. My biggest fear is just how much the little girls have all noticed this as well. I'm afraid that his teenage years are going to be very active and full. :)

I love you so much Wesley and both Daddy and I are so proud of you and all that you have done and are still working towards. Keep up the amazing work buddy! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!