Celebrate freedom!

The fourth of July is my MOST favorite holiday. I love everything it stands for. I love seeing crowds dressed in red, white, and blue. I love seeing all the waving flags. I love singing our National Anthem, and getting teary eyed every time. I love the food, and the friends, and if the opportunity arises, the family. And I LOVE the fireworks! Here are some pictures from our morning at the parade! It's become a yearly tradition and even the high temps couldn't keep us home!

 Doesn't this smile just melt your heart?

 Let's address this chunkiness. As soon as we unleashed the chub he fell right asleep.

 Love this big boy! And his crazy sunburn on his forehead. You can see where he missed a few spots with the sunscreen, so funny!

The rest of the day we spent at home relaxing and preparing for our trip out to the country to see fireworks with some friends. We were able to do this same thing last year, and we were so excited to be invited for a second time. Great food and great friends, and a spectacular fireworks display right in front of us. So close it was scary a few times! It was a long and fabulous day, and one I want to remember!

Easter pics

We had such a fun Easter weekend! It was supposed to be the weekend Wyatt arrived, but he was already a month old. Grandma Lori was sick when Wy was born so we planned on her still coming (and spoiling us) for Easter weekend (but that is a whole nother post). I tried somewhat to get our clothes to match. These are the best of the pictures. Brady is in his new, serious. crazy. face. stage. And as you will see below, they are pretty funny, but not so much good for family photos!

His face in the below picture? Priceless. Funny enough to allow the picture to be posted, even with my triple chin!

Keith and my genes mix really, really well. Love this beatiful girl!

And a few fun jumpy pictures!

Some favorite Christmas moments...

1. Keith heading to the kitchen immediately after presents are done being unwrapped so he can set up his new, beloved, toaster oven. And he thinks I didn't notice all the 1,000 times he mentioned how cool it would be to have one.

2. Natalie singing the Gloria chorus from "Angels we have Heard on High" in the bathtub, at the top of her sweet little lungs.

3. Brady singing, "It's a pillow! It's a pet! It's a pillow pet!" All. day. long.

4. Feeding my family this easy and delicious chicken for our Chinese food feast! yum!

5. Natalie telling me that Santa must really know her, because he sure got her just what she likes! Ha! If only she knew...

6. Getting to be surprised! Keith always has one trick up his sleeve and this year it was a Nintendo DS. I have long had a love with the Nintendo hand held systems, from the time I was in 5th grade and forked out my own money to buy the big gray game boy. Now I have my very PINK one!

7. No fighting between the kids. All. Day. Long. It surely was a Christmas miracle, and I loved every minute of it!

8. Brady's face when he came out to the living room and saw his new Buzz Lightyear bike from Santa. I don't care who you are, getting a bike under the tree for Christmas is pure awesomeness!

9. Being able to share our Christmas with Erin for a second year in a row. It's so nice to have another family member in our home to share the day with. Next year it will be the baby!

10. Speaking of the baby, we also had a little family conference and decided that we are officially going with Wyatt Ezra for our little bean's name. Of course, it may change before he comes, but this just feels right, and for know is what we are sticking with!

sweet November rain

I have been hit with the Holiday spirit! Seriously, I don't know why it has taken me so long to realize that November is for sure my favorite month ever! All the anticipation of the holidays, but none of the rush. Today was rainy and cold and blustery and thundery and perfect. I drank hot chocolate, read my book, snuggled in bed, and dreamed of holiday crafts to come. I know you are due a catch up post (so many MANY things happened here in the last few months!) but I just had to share some of the fun inspiration that I found surfing the nets.

I can't wait to get started!

I want to make a thankful tree on our kitchen wall (along the lines of this, but more ME). I have so much cute fall-ish paper I can't wait to cut into it!

Something beautiful to hang on our nekkid living room wall like this! (found here) so so pretty! I don't have ANY Thanksgiving decorations, so this might be a great way to start.

And I am definitely gonna hit up the hardware store so I can make one of these lovely banners! (tutorial found here, posted by this lovely lady. Both are some of my favorite blogs these days). Alas it won't let me upload the picture, but follow the link, it's adorable!

What is inspiring you this November? I just LOVE the holidays!

Easter fun!

Ok, first let me point out that I am actually posting about a holiday when it actually happened! Instead of waiting weeks or months to do it! We had quite a busy weekend, two easter egg hunts yesterday, and lots of church. This week was General Conference for us Mormons and it's a great week to really feel motivated again to be living the way we should be living! Hard not to feel inspired when you are listening to the Prophet and the Apostles talk all weekend.

Anywho. I snapped some pictures of the kids at our first hunt, but my setting button got switched so they are all grainy, which is super irritating, because otherwise I know they would have been so perfect! I was so glad we were invited to share in this family's hunt (thank you Grimmetts!), since we have no real family around. I am learning that we have many friends that I can consider family, and that makes holidays much sweeter.

Natalie with both front teeth! The top left one fell out later that night after MUCH wiggling and twisting and one last tug from Mama!

I hate you grain!

Poor kid got about 2 hops into the sack race and toppled over. That's ok! Maybe next time!

Best. Kids. Ever. (at least best kids I have ever had! ha!)

Brady chompin' on his black sprinkle covered easter cookie. This kid was in sugar HEAVEN!

Pretty and Sassy!

Here is a pic of their loot. I really wanted to get them more meaningful, useful stuff this year instead of a bunch of junk. So they got books (thrifted of course), something to color/draw with, goldfish, cookies, and one package of candy bugs each. Oh, and a slinky for B and some chapstick for Nat.

Later that night we went to another friends house for a hunt, and of course I forgot my camera. It was nice to go now that the kids are old enough to really play on their own. Brady had so much fun running around with some big boys, and I hardly saw him except when he needed something! Natalie sat with me outside and wiggled and jiggled her tooth to the point that it was barely hanging on! Sweet pea couldn't even talk right because that tooth was a dangling.

After we got Brady in bed she let me check it out and this was the result! Of course I couldn't get a non cheesy pic from her, but those aren't any fun anyways. Enjoy! And I hope you all had a Happy Easter too!

Oh, and this is my 700th post! WOOT! I am actually gonna do a giveaway, very soon, of course it will be stuff from my shop, so keep your eyes peeled!

I ♥ December...

...because it is so jam packed with festivities. Tons of birthdays, anniversaries and of course the main event, Christmas! Which means lots of family celebrations and get togethers.

...because now I get to see how fun Christmastime can be for kids from the other side of it. I love watching my kids get so excited about every little thing.

...because it's C-O-L-D, and I love to be cold! We may even get to have a (gas) fire in our fireplace soon! And it's even sleet/snowing today!

...because all that cold gives me an excuse to stay in, be warm, drink WAY too much hot cocoa and be lazy!

...because when I get tired of being lazy I can always find a million and one things to occupy my time to get ready for Christmas.

...because my house is more decorated and cozy than any other time of year. If I could I would have a pine tree in my living room year round!

...because it's easier to remember what the purpose of life is. There are opportunities to serve and make other people happy every where you look.

..because I always just feel happier in December, and this year is no exception. I am trying so hard not to let anything get me down, and it's a very nice feeling!

Weekend Roundup

So, I didn't take a SINGLE picture this weekend. I know, it's a tragedy! But, I will plop those kids into their costumes (Brady was a Jedi, and Natalie was Cinderella) tomorrow and take some pictures. In 15 years no one will know they weren't taken ON Halloween!

We had a rather mellow holiday weekend. Thursday night was Natalie's school trunk or treat. It was nice to go and support her school and she got to see her friends and teachers, and it was just some good SHORT trick or treating fun. Nothing grand, but not horrible either.

Friday Natalie had her assessment at the new school. Basically we went in, the Kinder teacher came and took her back to the classroom and while Brady and I waited she had Natalie take some of the tests and things they had done that day in her class. Natalie passed them all, only missing a few of the phonics questions which are things she has never even heard of. So, way to go Nat! She is all approved to go there, and we are just finalizing the last details and she will start some time this week. THANK GOODNESS they had some uniform pieces that had been donated by another family and the secretary gave them to me for FREE. Woot! That saved me 100 bucks! So all I need for Nat are a few shirts and one more pair of pants. Not bad, very doable.

Friday night we crashed our old wards Trunk or Treat. A friend from our current ward was there and said she was there with her family, what was my excuse. I realized that since we have no "family" those friends that we made in 1st ward ARE our family. Keith and I are pretty outgoing once you get to know us, but it takes awhile, and four years in the same place can really make you feel like you are home. I do so love that ward!

Saturday started just like every other weekend. Garaging. Haha, I am so addicted I can't miss a week. BUT, this week I made a believer out of Keith. We got a 200 dollar child sized computer desk from Wild Zoo for 5 dollars. FIVE. DOLLARS. I couldn't believe it. SUCH a steal, and the desk is awesome. The kids love it. It is the perfect place for Brady to do playdoh and paints and such while I am sewing. Before he had to work at the kitchen table which meant that I was in the kitchen with him and not accomplishing anything. So it's a win win! Yay for steals. I also got some vintage sheets to add to my growing collection.

The rest of Saturday was spent all together as a family. After lunch we dumped out all of the candy the kids had so far collected on a towel in the living room and we all went to town. They had previously picked out a few favorite pieces and those I saved for later in the week. The kids ate until they were full, we ate SO MUCH, and the rest we threw out. It was actually kind of liberating to throw out all the candy that otherwise I would have been munching on all month long. The kids were kind of sniffly so we decided to nix traditional trick or treating, which I kind of regret now, but it ended up being a nice slow evening. Natalie made us all crowns, Brady played letter tiles and puzzles, Keith had a football game on, and I sewed (shocker, right?). I love evenings like that, where we are all together, but kind of doing our own thing. Very nice.

I am glad the weekend is over. This week will prove to be a crazy one I am sure. Nat starts her new school sometime this week, I think Wednesday. Brady is starting preschool on Tuesday, and just other general errands that I have been putting off. I can't wait to get started!

Easter Egg Hunt

Saturday morning we had the Taylors and the Saunders over for a brunch potluck and an Easter Egg hunt. We were excited to actually have more than one family over for food and visiting, and not all be crowded into a teensy living room! The food was good, the company was good, and I think the kids had a great time!

Happy Easter

May your day be filled with family, friends and fun!

Other catching up

Christmas Eve was a very slow and nice day. The kids and I spent the morning making various Christmas presents for family members. We actually completed a ton of presents, now I just need to mail them out! Keith was able to come home early from work so the afternoon was spent playing Guitar Hero World Tour and lazing about. I had to work at 5, so we planned on having a family dinner in my office, which is also my bedroom! We pulled in the little table, turned on The Santa Clause, and had quite a nice Christmas picnic of sorts.

The day after Christmas Keith had to work so the kids and I ventured out to Target to hit up the Christmas clearance. I actually saved some money aside specifically for this purpose and I am so glad I did! I got a bunch of pretty silver ornaments I had been eyeing, but wasn't going to pay full price for. I also got all of our wrapping paper for next year, and some other cute bits and bobs. I L-O-V-E getting things 50% off! I love 75% off even better, but I have to wait a few days for the prices to go that low!

Then Saturday was our last free Saturday before Keith starts the BAR BRI class (he has class 6 days a week starting the 2nd) so we headed out to Braum's for lunch. We have been wanting to try it for a long time, and it was so good! We went to the new one in Pantego and it was very nice. The burgers are delicious! The ice cream was fantastic too! After that we headed out to our favorite park for some exercise to burn off that lunch!

Now the weekend is over and class and work are looming in the near future. The next 2 months are going to be hard, but SO worth it!

The last of the Pecan Caramel Fudge sundae from Braum's. Soooooo good!Natalie now hates to have her picture taken. I have no idea where she gets it from... Brady on the other hand is always up for a photo shoot!

Christmas Day

I've been called out on my blog slacking ways. I never forget all you family that read this, and I am sorry I just haven't been able to force myself to sit here and blog about it all. I will start with Christmas day, but I have many other posts in the works. So if you're interested check back often in the next few days while I get it all down!

I was able to get one picture of the Christmas morning tree before my memory card filled up and I set my camera aside and forgot to unload the card until later in the morning. So no pictures of the unwrapping of the presents, video, but no pictures. Looks like Santa delivered! I see a Cinderella computer and a Thomas train under there!

Yep! Natalie got her Cinderella computer and even the gray pony that she asked Santa for. I don't think I need to tell you how excited she was! And she loves it, it isn't TOO hard or TOO easy, and she picked up how to do all the games on her own. Yay for learning!
You can also see some of Mom and Dads presents. I didn't take a loot shot of the goodies that Keith and I got, darn it! I like to have those for posterity sake, lol! But Keith had a very Cowboys Christmas. He got the History of the Cowboys DVD, Cowboys golf stuff, Cowboys nightlight, Cowboys lunchbox, and some other fun movies and candy and things. Oh! And the paver for the new stadium that says "The Bowers Fans Forever" on it. Coolest. Present. Ever! And a sweet set of 25th anniversary Phase 10 cards in a cool metallic case.

Mom got some movies, gift cards, kitchen things (tiny ramekins to make pot pies or molten lava cake), some great storage containers for my scrapbook stuff, and the best gift? An MP3 player! Yay! We can't afford anything too fancy, but Keith found this great Phillips one that is TINY, it fits in the palm of my hand and I love it! It has video capacity and can store pictures, and is probably the most high tech thing we own, other than the wii! He totally surprised me with that one.

Brady got lots and lots of Cars Megabloks. I like them because they are Cars and he has to create with them! Lots of building going on over here!

I forgot to take a picture of all the paper and fun chaos, but here is our living room for most of Christmas day! Nat loves that fairy woodland house!
Brady's loot. Books, Lego's, school bus from Natalie, Cars stuff, movies, etc. Fun stuff!
Natalie's loot (and Mommies scrap storage, minus the pony and the computer). Groovy girls, books, fairies and house, puzzle, dolly from Brady, coloring calendar, etc. Funny one of the most played with things is probably the little tic tac toe from the dollar section at Target. And one of my favorite things they got was from Aunt Danielle (& Co.), she sent each a nice book with a coordinating pillow case to match. I am totally stealing that idea!
It was a fun day, a little lonely without all the hustle and bustle of extended family, but nice in that it was just us, with no where to go, and nothing to do but play all day. I want to thank all the family that sent gifts, those were some of the best things under the tree because they were surprises to all of us!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone!

May you all have a wonderful, fun and love filled day tomorrow.