Momma stay off the phone!!!

So, first let me start by letting you know that I have had three days of working hard at cleaning and catching up in my home.  I had been to Costco last night with all five kids in tow. Thinking we would be in and out and of course we all know how that goes:)  I was ready to be home and put my feet up.  Got home, let the kids jump on the trampoline for a few while I finished up some last minute house work, got them some baths and was getting ready to make our favorite... "Sticky popcorn" when the phone rang.  It was my bestest friend that I hadn't talked to in forever. So I forgot about the task at hand and good old Sofie Margaret helped herself to the job and this is what I found...

Then today as I was almost done with the downstairs the phone rang and it was another bestest friend and as we were visiting Sofie got into barbies.  She dumped bins, filled the pool with water, used shampoo and conditioner in thier hair... all of this while I was folding laundry and just about to be "completely" DONE!  Need I say more???  I guess this means... 

 Momma stay off the phone!!!

If all the Snowflakes were lemon drops and gum drops...

I don't think these photos capture how BIG these snowflakes were.  As you see the faces of these kids you would think they tasted like lemon drops and gum drops.  It was absolutely beautiful, exciting and amazing!!!  I love how our home faces the mountains.  I love the change in seasons because I feel that it gives me a new season.  A time of reflection.  Each season brings a desire to set some personal goals.  Maybe a time of growth for me personally.  Been doing some self evaluation.  As a mother I see those areas where I need to be a better listener. Especially with five kids all talking and needing my attention.  I tend to tune out and then they feel I do not care.  Makes complete sense as to why they would feel this way. It is good for me to recognize my weaknesses and also a little painful.  I guess because I think of the atoning sacrifice of a loving Savior and all He did for me and the pain that He felt.  I recognize that I cause Him sadness at my moments of weakness.  Yet I also know He loves me, believes in me, and will never leave me on my own as I strive to bloom where I am planted.  Just as I would do as a mother to my children. I want the very best for them I want to nurture them and watch them grow.  I see the beauty in each one of them and the potential they have.  I love to see them shine with confidence of knowing who they are and where they come from.  I am learning to enjoy each season of life as it brings new colors, dark days and bright days. It truly is what we make of it.  Life would be pretty boring if each day was the same. 

I am doing my best to see the BEAUTY in each day!

Spring Break 2012

For Spring Break we headed down to St. George to be with our family.  The cousins had a sleepover and this is what they were doing...

Watching the Teen awards on Nickelodeon!

The next morning it went from that to this...

camping out in the in-door tent watching General Conference.

They are such good girls.  They are so FUN...NY!

Sydney taught Sofie to ride her bike without training wheels:)

Baseball with Papa...

Gardening with Papa...

Water fun on the tramp...

Most nights you would find Sofie on her granny's lap getting tickled and falling asleep...

They had a sleepover with Great Grandma Lewis...

There is the funnest water park right in the center of town. It is a BLAST.  I love this last photo of Preston.  He cracks me up!!!

We went to a in-door trampoline place before heading up to Cedar to see Scotlyn swim.

Wow this girl gets a work out!!!  It was impressive.  We love our Scotty.  She is growing into a beautiful young woman and it is so fun to watch these girls turn into TEENagers. 

Hanging out at the St.George Arts Festival and enjoying all the festivities.

We had such a great time going on a picnic. The weather was so nice.  Uncle Troy threw the football and told the kids that whoever could catch it would get $5.00 and the winner was... TY TY!!!  We then played soccer and it got pretty intense.  This is a picture of my big fat toe that got really hurt...  Our kids took a beating on the field.  It was a tied ball game and we called it quits after Tylee got a ball kicked right in her face. OUCH!!!

Easter morning going on our traditional Easter basket hunt.  The Easter Bunny got the kids a trampoline this year and they were jumping up and down.  They were so excited!

These boys spent many days hard at work in grandma and papa's back yard trying to catch lizards.  After church Preston ran out with his church clothes on and caught a lizard. He was so one happy boy!

I gave this apron to my momma for Easter:)  It fits her so perfectly.  She makes the best food ever and spends many hours in the kitchen preparing delicious meals. I am so thankful for her and the love she shows all of us through her cookin.

We went out for lunch at Pizza Factory just before leaving town.  We are so thankful to be close to our families and to share Holidays with them.  Living in Oklahoma gave us a greater appreciation for our them.