Growing Up but hopefully not growing apart...

Ive been struggling recently with Taylor and Jordan's relationship. They've always been so good to each other. I mean... they have their moments... they are brothers after all. But recently, Taylor has been "seeking his independence" from his younger brother. And it hurts.



Of course it's mostly the complaint that Jordan "hangs around" Taylor too much. But Taylor is such a great kid and Jordan just wants to follow. I don't want to force them to have a perfect relationship, but I can't seem to not involve myself either.

It's hard to watch them grow up, hoping they don't grow apart.


Meanwhile, I love these kiddos more than anything! Even when they're at odds with each other, how can you help but not love them to pieces?

Taylor 10, Jordan *almost 8*, Reagan 3, and Madison 5

Too Much Canning.

You know you're canning too much when the 3 year old starts imitating you by canning things for play.

Reagan's Birthday

The "baby" is Three. And it kills me just a little.

Unfortunately, her birthday falls right in the middle of crazy canning season. My big plans for her third birthday fell short and it's one I'm glad she won't really remember.

I made her cake in about 30 minutes. I think it turned out awful. She wanted a "sleeping beauty" cake, and I should have taken the time I did with Madison's to make it look decent.

The morning of her birthday she woke up and told me that she didn't want to be three yet she wanted to stay two. She said that she wanted her party "next week". Should have listened!









By the time party time rolled around, she was fine with being three. She rushed through all of her gifts, not thanking anyone for anything. She love everything though. The day after she played and played with all her new "loot".








Happy Birthday my little Reagan! Thanks for putting up with our crazy family! And thanks for adding a little "attitude" to our family dynamic!!! :)

I'm LAME!

Reagan turned THREE on Monday and I still haven't pulled my act together to blog about it.

Seriously... sign me up for "parent of the year". I mean... if Obama can win the Peace Prize, be a lame parent to my kids should put me in the running still for parent of the year... right?

Back later to post photos of the little twerp. (Reagan that is...) :)

Madison's First Day of Kindergarten!

I thought I posted this earlier!!!

Madison's First day of Kindergarten was August 31, 2009. She's loving it!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Back to School 2009

The boys started school on Monday, August 24th. It's a strange feeling having a 5th grader and a 2nd grader. On top of that, Madison will start school on Monday, August 31st. Having just Reagan at home will be interesting for sure.

We started this year by having a "Back to School Dinner". Sunday night we set the table with all of our fine china, then proceeded to eat bbq ribs, corn on the cob, dutch oven potatoes and homemade rolls.


Our family "theme" for the year is "BE PREPARED". This is mainly because last year I felt so unorganized and UN-prepared. That was probably due to the fact that Brian was in school as well - we just never really got into the swing of things.



We ate dinner and read the Scripture found in D&C 109:8: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God." I found this fitting for our family and a perfect guideline for those of any faith.

In order to be more organized and "prepared", Brian helped me make a magnet board for each of the kids. This way, they have a specific place for their homework pages, notes home, etc... instead of being lost on the kitchen table or on the floor of their rooms.


The kids had a great time making their magnets for their boards, and hopefully it will really help in keeping everything together this year.

We also put new hangers up for backpacks/jackets at the back door. Hopefully this reduces the clutter in the main coat closet... it was difficult last year to find what was needed to quick run out the door with everybody's stuff piled in there.



Taylor is excited to start 5th grade. He wore the LOBSTER shirt that he paid for. His teacher is Mrs. Daynes.


Jordan is in 2nd grade and excited to be in Mrs. Rubie's class.


Haven't they both grown up so much???


After a quick breakfast in the morning (they wanted CEREAL... what kid just wants cereal when their mom is willing to make pancakes, eggs, waffles, WHATEVER in the morning? My kids, that's who...) we were off to the bus stop.


And our Cat, (who thinks he's a dog) followed.


Everyone at the bus stop will know Nigel. Silly kitty.



Neighborhood kids ready for the first day!



The three 5th graders: Taylor, Hannah and Spencer. (Waiting for a friend to send me photos of the three 2nd graders: Jordan, Sam and Christian.)


The bus came and they were off. The girls and I walked back up to the bus for the return trip home and there was a lot of excitement. Madison and Reagan missed the boys all day long!







We're excited for the school year!

Camping in the Backyard

This weekend, we were planning on attending our Ward Camp-Out. The kids were excited! Plans totally fell through as we ended up taking Brian back to the eye doctor on Friday morning. We felt it was best to stay behind. So in order to compromise with the kids, we set up the tent in the backyard!

Of course, we needed to eat... so out came the dutch oven!


And plenty of drinks we don't normally have.



Camping out just wouldn't be the same without S'mores....


Our little "campfire"





Had to put this photo up because the girls look PLASTERED. See what happens when you even give them Root-BEER????

At about 10:45 PM, we ended up back in the house. The kids would just NOT SETTLE DOWN. It's one thing to chat and not sleep when you're actually camping, but when your tent is set up next to the neighbors fence, you end up having to play by the rules.

We are totally going to do more back yard camp outs in the future... The kids loved it!

Down in the Garden

I honestly meant to post photos of the garden as it progressed this year. Now it's the end of August, I'll only get to remember what it became instead of what it once was. :)

Looking into the first raised bed (which honestly, isn't very "raised"... we put the beds in before we laid the sod, so they're more of a sunken/raised bed...) you'll see the "herb" garden - dill plant (oh wait... that died...) Cilantro (oh wait... that died too....) spinach (oh wait... no spinach left....) lettuce, radishes, basil, more basil, lots more basil, parsley, oregano and two different types of cherry tomatoes. (Sweet 100's and Sunsugar).



Along the fence we have Brussels sprouts, brocc-a-flower, cauliflower, green beans that were not green beans at all, just a growing vine (grrrrrr....) and then some onions and chives. In the distance, behind the pool, is the empty chicken coop that is now being used as the compost pile. (Bring back my chickens!!!!!)


Flower Garden (Obviously) and our blue irrigation hose that is running to the front yard.


Taylor stood by my tomato plant to show how tall they are. If I look out my kitchen window, I see just the tops of tomato plants and it makes me happy.


The big, mama basil plant that is YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!


Looking over into the tomato garden.

Pepper plants, a few beets, and a cucumber that finally started to produce.


A shot of the whole backyard. I'm going to miss it back here when it snows.


Reagan playing in the irrigation water. I don't mind... I used to do it as a kid too.


Front yard banana squash.


See? There's one hiding in there!



And it wouldn't be a garden without a zucchini plant, right? Love that it's growing in the very front flower bed.

I'd call the garden this year a success. I'm excited for next year as I'll be armed with this years knowledge of what to do and what NOT to do!