Maddie is Nine.

My first born Munchkin just turned nine. 

My how the time flies!

She LIVES TO READ! 

Due to reading - she is a walking book of info.

She is almost always Happy.

Happy Birthday Munch - We Love You!

All for One, One for All!

This year for Halloween the girls wanted to be

Barbie and the Three Musketeers.

Shem agreed to the idea and I started making costumes.

In the Movie the (4) girls become musketeers.

We had all four girl musketeers plus two boy ones.

The girls were thrilled and played the  parts well.

The Big 30!

I just turned 30! I wanted this Birthday to be special.

I decided to celebrate by giving to others. 

The kids helped me do 30 Random Acts of Kindness.

I spent a lot of time planning for this birthday.

Here's what we did - 

1. I made heart hand warmers for the school crossing guard.

On cold winter days she can put them in her pockets.

2. I also made some for a family that just lost their little girl.

I called them their "heart warmers".

3. We donated a big load of stuff to the D.I.

4. I mailed my Best Friend from High School a note -

telling her how great she is.

5. I mailed a letter to my Dad thanking him for things.

6. I made gowns for the Children's Hospital - for the surgery dolls.

7. I made a sparkly dress up for a special princess at the Hospital.

8. We made 30 get well cards for kids at the Hospital.

 Nico had his last chemo treatment on my Birthday.

We sent Nico off to deliver our Hospital stuff.

 Abs had a check up appointment for her arm.

9. we gave cookies and a card to her Dr.

( BONUS - ABBIE GOT HER SLING OFF)

10. Emmie had a picture appointment and we gave them cookies too.

 11. We gave the trash and recycle people thank you notes.

 12. The girls took canned food the the school food drive.

 13. We left "Have a Happy Day" notes on strangers cars.

 14. We gave a random person a Walmart gift card.

 15. We taped money on the toy machine - so kids could play.

16. We left money on the toy isle for kids to find at the store.

17. The girls put money in the play land at McDonalds too.

18. We surprised Shem at work and we took him lunch.

He ate what we brought and I ate what was in his lunchbox.

19. We visited Grammy as well and gave her a letter plus cookies.

20. I took dinner to a pregnant friend.

21. We paid for a cute little lady to get her Hair cut.

22. We gave quarters to the gals at the laundromat.

23. We went on a walk and picked up trash.

24. We took cookies to a little boy 

because it was his Birthday too.

25. I gave my kids treats and cookies for both of their snacks.

26. The girls had a free day with no chores/ no cleaning!

27. The girls came to Zumba with me 

and we gave the instructor cookies. (wish I got pictures)

28. I gave some nice ladies Joann's coupons.

29. We gave a guy a Free big mac coupon.

30. We gave a thank you note with cookies to the mailman.

It was such a special day. 

The girls were so excited to give to others!

It was a busy but fun day.

A Broken Arm!

Abbie wins the prize for the first broken arm at our house.

She was playing "wipe out" on the swing set and she wiped out!

The x-rays are hard to see but the break is high up on her arm.

Due to the location - the Dr. said a cast would be torture.

Instead she gets to wear a sling and bandage at all times.
 (even while she's sleeping).

We can bathe her and change her clothes once a week.

She broke her right arm which is her writing arm. Bummer

Good thing Abs is our mellow kid that never complains.

Today She Is Four

She is one fun girl! 

She loved her Birthday party at the Smith's house.

Happy Birthday Emmie - we love you!

10 Years ago Today.

I married one of my Best Friends.

Back to School

Today was the first day of School.

Maddie is in third grade and Abbie is in first.

They were both very excited this morning.

Here's to hoping for a good school year.

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

New school year means new hair cuts.

Maddie has had long hair for a while,

so it was time for a change. She chopped it short -

 so she would have enough hair to donate.

She looks like a new Maddie.

Love it Munchkin - you look Beautiful.

Quick Trip to Papa's House

We've never been to Papa and Judy's house in Idaho.

Last week my Dad called to see if we would come up.

I took the kids for a few days of Fun.

We went on a boat ride, fished, had four wheeler rides,

had a picnic at the lake, went swimming, went to a parade

and the kids played a ton.

The kids came home extremely dirty and tired.

But they sure had a good time.

Check out these pictures of when

Jarem found a good drink. 

Ten Year Anniversary Trip

Shem and I have been married for almost ten years.

We never did a honeymoon - 

so ten years had to be something special.

Shem planned everything and it was surprise trip.

The first time in ten years we've left all our children.

My mom and sisters stepped up to help watch our kids.

Thanks guys - family is great.

We were gone for five wonderful days. 

The surprise destination was Lake Tahoe.

A place I visited often as a kid.

We did so many fun things but

we also had a lot of time to relax.

This trip was full of firsts for us.

First time leaving our kids, first couples massage,

first Hot Air Balloon ride, first river boat dinner cruise,

first time parasailing, and first real live magic show.

 Early morning balloon ride. 

We took off and landed out on the lake.

So BEAUTIFUL AND PEACEFUL! 

 Nico shirts for the balloon ride.

 Sun coming up on the Lake.

We actually got to touch the lake while we were in the Balloon.

 Our dinner dance cruise later that night.

A full moon over the lake.

We got to see the sun and the moon 

come up on the lake in the same day.

Parasailing was totally my idea.

Shem does not like heights - 

But he did enjoy the ride.

The views were so pretty.

We also did a gondola scenic ride.

It is such a beautiful place.

After parasailing we decided to do one last thing.

We had heard there was a magic show in town.

We saw the guy perform at the local shops.

We met him on our dinner cruise.

He told us how he became a magician.

So we got tickets before it sold out and we went.

It was truly AMAZING!!!

Shem got to be part of the show.

 He needed a strong guy to help and Shem was there.

Everything was seriously so entertaining.

After the show we talked with him 

and he signed our tickets.

He ever remembered it was our anniversary.

THANKS BABE - for such a great trip!

It was simply magical.

One last surprise when we got home.
No way - are you kidding me?

Finally a BOSCH!
I guess that means I'll be learning a lot of new things.
Shem you're the best!!!