Making a Comeback

So, I have thought a lot about the blog over the last months. I thought about giving it up but I know it is the only way for some people to see my kids regularly or at all. I thought about trying to catch up on everything that I have missed but that became daunting and it makes me want to give up before I even start. So I have decided to just start from right now. I don't know that much writing will be involved anymore. With the busyness of life with 4 kids and now as a college student, I just don't have tons of time to dedicate to the blog. I will do my best to keep up on it some, even if it is just throwing some pictures up. Here's to a new dedication to the blog, and to MORE time in front of the computer screen!

Hanging out in Noah's bed playing video games.

Mom Retires

After something like 26 years of post-children work my mom was finally able to retire. I know for her and my dad it is a little scary financially but I also know that they are both incredibly happy. Mom will get to spend a lot more time with Dad and Dad will be super happy and more comfortable having Mom around all the time. I am happy for them both and glad they are able to have this time together.

Steak and chicken fajitas and spanish rice. Mmmm!

 After dinner we all hung out and colored on the tablecloth.

 Mom's pretty retirement flowers.

 Happy Retirement Mom/Grandma!

Just this cute, silly girl I know!

Found this little surprise when making Olivia's bed. I wish I had video of me and Jay trying to catch it. It was very entertaining. Jay finally used his lizard whisperer skills (his words, not mine) and was able to catch it and let it go out back. 

We had Grandpa and Cosmo at our house during the day for a couple days. Mom and Dad had to have all the pipes redone because they have an older home and it had polybutylene pipes. They had already had one breakage issue and Mom wanted to replace them all before they ended up with a worse problem and having to deal with water damage too. What a fun thing to spend tax return on.

 The little people were thrilled to have Cosmo around.

 Lots of holes throughout the house.

3 Years Old

Our Miss Olivia is 3 now. I can't believe it. We had a good time celebrating with the family. Dinner, treats, and visiting make for a great day.

Some of Livi's favorites. Hot dogs, Cheetos, and tots.

 All this girl really wants is Cheetos though. That's pretty much what she ate for dinner but I am down with it because it was her birthday.

 This girl likes to make silly faces.

 Getting a birthday hello and wishes from Grandma Kinney before she opens her presents.

 She seriously would not open her presents until I took a picture of her doing this.

 Kids LOVE getting dollars.

 She got 4 new pretty dresses for church.

 All her birthday loot. She totally scored and she is one happy little girl.

 Singing Happy Birthday. She sang the entire song along with us. This kid cracks me up.

 Thanks for looking at your mom when I took the blowing out the candles picture!

 This is the cake she requested for a month. She never once swayed from her choice. It had to have candy and green and pink. I made a marble cake and colored the light part of it with pink and green. I also mixed chopped up candy bars in with the batter. The frosting is rainbow chip that I colored green and then it's lined with Kit Kats and the 3 is pink M&Ms. She was happy. I aim to please when it comes to birthday treat requests!

 Zoey drew this funny face on her balloon. Ha ha!

 Wrapped up the night by chillin with her baby brother and watching tv.

We love this little girl so much. She brings so much love, silliness, fun, and joy to our family. There is something special about her and we are so lucky she is ours.

  Happy 3rd Birthday Miss Livi Jane! We love you!

So this is the second Saturday in a month now that someone has left a huge box of food at our front door. Such yummy produce and some tasty bread. I am pretty sure it is one of the bountiful baskets people in the ward but I don't know who it is for sure. Whoever it is, we are so very appreciative of the kindness. 

The big kids slept outdoors on the trampoline for the first time. Jay and I were sure they wouldn't last the night but we were wrong. They fell asleep relatively quickly and stayed out all night. The downside to it all was they were up at like 530 in the morning. That's just crazy! 

 Olivia "slept" out there for a little while too. It lasted all of like 5 minutes. She just had to be one of the big kids for at least a little bit.

Happy Things

Cute baby with a sticker on the middle of his big noggin. 

 This sweet note I found in Noah's backpack.

 Sunday night movie.

 Talking to Grandma on the phone.

Kylie wanted to go to Mt. Lemmon while she was here so we kept the kids out of school Friday and went up and spent time there. It was lovely, a little windy, but lovely.