Rocks on the Roof and Random Ramblings........

We came home from church today and as I pulled in the driveway, I noticed 2 large oak leaf sized objects on my roof. After a closer look, I discovered that I had 2 fairly large rocks on my roof. How tacky! I unloaded the kids and proceeded to the basement to hunt down a step stool, then grabbed a broom from the kitchen. I went outside, still in my skirt from church, and attempted to hit the rocks off the roof with the broom while perched at the top of my 3-step ladder. No luck, I still couldn't reach the offending rocks! This irritates me to no end because it makes my house appear trashy and un-kept, and regardless of the interior condition, I still like to keep up appearances that all is tidy and neat. Besides, today the winner of the HGTV Dream Home will be revealed and, at the time assuming it would be me, I was about to be on national TV with 2 rocks on my roof! My only redemption is that I didn't win the Dream Home, so the world will never see my embarrassment. The weird thing is, the kids found a half-eaten donut on the ground where the rock thrower must have stood. I questioned my children at length and they all denied involvement. So here I sit, inside the un-kept house with 2 large rocks perched on the roof and no HGTV Dream Home to brag about and strange as it may sound, I'm OK with that.

My kids had a 4-day weekend, a mini-spring break. My husband is a Scoutmaster so he took his troop on a 2-night camp out. The plan was to go hiking some trails in the forest. On Friday they hiked 10 miles and had another 10 miles to hike the next day, but Saturday morning the kids were dragging their feet and finally got on the trail so late that they only had time for a 5 mile hike. (Nice plan kids!) My husband told me this story while expressing frustration that the kids lacked motivation Saturday morning, he just couldn't understand why. I had to laugh, they were obviously completely worn out. My 11 year old son and some friends joined them Saturday at the camp site, but had a different leader on the hike. They completed the 10 miles and had a great time. He was in bed before 8 pm that night, no fighting, no back-talking. I suggested to my husband that a 10 mile hike would be beneficial for our boy every day! While they were at the camp out, I took the other 4 kids to their friends baptism. She's a sweet girl and her baptism was really special. Next, we went shopping with my mom and we found a beautiful white baptism dress for my 7 year olds' upcoming baptism in June. We had a good time and took the kids on our own version of a 10 mile hike through the crowded mall. Sears was having the best sale! Besides the 50% off sale on the baptismal dress, we also found two $50 dresses on sale for $9 & $10, they will be cute Easter dresses for the girls. For my 5 yr old we found a $20 outfit marked down to $6! Finding bargains is such a rush! I am also grateful for my mom's generosity in buying all the cute clothes for the kids and I really appreciated the help with the kids. I NEVER go to the mall. This shopping trip was a first for my kids in a long, long time and their behavior was really good. My 9 year old daughter LOVED the mall, I thought I would never get her out of the dressing room, she tried on every dress in sight! The baptism dress!

Taking a break to play around at the mall.

Destruction,er...um.....Construction?

Below is the "before" photo. I was sitting in the living room with the kids and when we heard the roar of the saw, followed by a thud. I had mentioned to my husband earlier that day, that I would really love it if he got the window installed, but I thought he would be busy all night working on the bedroom doors. I ran downstairs and saw the large hole pictured below. The thud was the siding falling to the ground. I ran outside to further check out the hole. The first thing my husband said, through the hole, was, "is it centered?" WRONG question to ask after the hole is already cut! He then said, "if it's not....I'm in trouble!" Nervous laughter.....Well, it was perfectly centered! Way to go Mr. Home Improvement Guru!!!
Next, the window was installed. We still need to buy the white trim to go around it. I love the window. It lets tons of light into our former dungeon of a basement. I am excited to keep the project progressing forward and more than ready to get the kids in their new rooms and the baby, almost 14 months old, out of my bedroom. I am starting to feel crowded with all 7 of us crammed into 1100 sq.ft. upstairs. It will be nice to spread out a little!

Citrus Climbing and the Cute Crop!

This box of tangelos and grapefruit makes the perfect jungle gym.

Our 7 year old just got this new crop/bob haircut. Isn't she cute? It is so low-maintenance. Perfect for a 7 year old on the go with no desire to get within 10 feet of a hairbrush.

Potato Soup

If you eat potato soup and use your hair for a napkin, you can sport this hairstyle!

Valentines Eve at the Lake

We enjoyed and unusually warm wonderful February day at the lake. It also happened to be Friday the 13th, but we weren't scared. I brought my camera to get some photos, but the kids didn't want to sit still and pose for me. As the sun was setting I snapped the photo below. I love the warm glow of the sunset so I tried to get a group shot, the one above. The kids wiggled and whined and the glow was gone before I could capture it in the group photo.

The kids had a lot of fun climbing on the big rocks and throwing the small rocks in the water.
Below: I had to say something stupid to finally make him smile, he was having a grumpy day.

She put her heart shaped lollipop down for a second for this pose.

My oldest daughter, below, is always ready and willing to be photographed.

We had fun climbing, walking along a muddy trail, and finding animal footprints.

Crossing Over

We attended the Blue & Gold banquet on February 6. The banquet celebrates the birthday of scouting and the boys are presented with awards they have earned. Our oldest boy progressed from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. They had a cross-over ceremony for him. It involved removing his cub scout shirt, crossing a "bridge" then putting on his boy scout shirt and officially become a boy scout. We are very proud of him and hope his enthusiasm for scouting continues. The yummy cake.

Getting ready to cross the bridge.

Welcomed by the Scoutmaster (Dad) on the other side.

Getting some ZZZZZZZ's.

This is why I don't live in Arkansas!

http://www.ky3.com/news/local/39424892.html

This is a crazy news story, it's short but hilarious! Click on the link above!

Yes Sir!

This morning my husband told our 5 year old boy that it was time to get his coat on and leave for preschool. He said, "Yes Sir! Yes Sir! .....three bags full!"

Snuggling, Smiling, & Sleeping...

I thought these photos were cute. Babies are so fun! This little girl is adored and spoiled by the whole family! It really is fun being one!

Snow Day Photos

Some of the photos are dark because I took them at night.

I saw my husbands car pull up to the house after work, but he didn't come inside. I looked out the window and saw him flying down the hill on the kids red sled. Then the kids talked him into pushing them down the hill on their sled. I bundled the baby up and sent her outside for some fun in the snow with daddy.

Obeying the scout law gangster style!

I asked my 5 year old to tell me what he was doing when I took this picture. He said, "obeying the scout law!" He can't wait to be a scout.

The Big O-N-E!

Thank you Grandma for the cute card and $2 bill.

The ice cream was too cold.

Opening presents and playing games.

Getting Stuck & Getting Messy!

This is what you look like when you eat your brother's art project.

She mastered climbing, but tends to get stuck. She climbed in the toy box, but got upset when she couldn't get out. She also likes to test what things she can fit inside of, like the drum that she got her bum stuck in.

Bush twin's letter to Obama's girls

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/28809961#28809961

Click on the link above. Watch this beautiful video. It's worth your time!!! It's so sweet. It's nice to see the genuine sincerity of these twin girls. After all the nasty comments Obama made about their dad during the campaign, it's nice to see the twins take the high road and reach out to Obama's girls. You will have to watch a 27 second commercial before the video plays. PLEASE WATCH!

Here's to hoping four years will go by so fast!

Goofing Around & Goal Setting!

Daddy's Girls!

For Family Home Evening we talked about goals and the kinds of goals we can set, then we made the collages pictured below. When I was a teenager we called it "treasure mapping." We cut words & photos out of magazines that represent our goals for the year, or for our whole life. Our 5 yr. old boy just loved cutting and pasting. He made 3 or 4 "treasure maps." His first one featured a Kansas City Chiefs beer cooler, always save cola, and photos of 5 old men politicians that we didn't recognize. Our works of art are below from L to R: top row; 11 yr old boy, me~ middle row: 5 yr old boy, Husband, 9 yr old girl~ bottom row: 7 yr old girl.

Baby girl unloading the dishes! She is officially a toddler! Today she took 5 steps in a row and I got it on video! I can't believe she is walking. She is growing up too fast.

I Can't Believe I have an 11 Yr Old!

For his birthday he had 4 friends over. They watched the Sugar Bowl [stinky Utah beat Alabama): ] They also played Apples to Apples, Electronic Monopoly, hide and seek, and flashlight tag. It was a crazy night, the damage total stands at $112.00, some things were left on the floor and crushed. Our son got a lesson on responsibility, and putting things where they belong. For his b-day he got a nerf gun, battleship game, and some cash. The boys had fun and my kids slept well that night.

On DVD January 20th!

My 5th gr. son got me hooked on this book, The City of Ember, and the 4 book series. Now, I can't wait to see the DVD. A good read, especially the 1st & 4th book. You can find the book in the Juvenile Fiction section at your library or book store.

Spelunking!

Above: Our girl found the trail that goes above the cave. If you look close, you can see her wearing a purple coat & waving.

This park is so much fun! There is a large cave and a small cave to explore and trails that go over the cave, through the woods, along the lake, and over a couple of bridges. You can also feed some very fat ducks.