Xander...6 months old

Xander is a delightful, chubby, kissable BABY! We are having so much fun with him. Happy 6 months old...

Petite Jardin

We accomplished quite a bit of work on Saturday. And when I say "WE" I really mean Winston. I have finally convinced him that it is TIME to PLEASE (very lovingly) get busy on some landscaping. I CAN'T stand the wood chips & dirt any longer! After 3 years of living in this beautiful home [FINALLY] there is LIFE growing in my back yard. It is a PETITE JARDIN! Winston & Landon built up the box then got the dirt & yummy fertilizer mixed in. Landon just HAD to remind me that my hands were "TOUCHING POOP". Yeah...I know. He is so excited about these little plants that he wanted to water them 3 times today. Already he is keeping watch, just like a good gardener would do. He has discovered that ants have found this beautiful little garden. AHHHH! Guess we have to take care of that tomorrow. Landon was also quite concerned about the gloomy "May Gray" Day that we had. "Where is the sun for your plants?" & "No, mommy, the bunnies did not find the garden last night". What a good helper I have.

We planted 1 plant each....

Roma Tomato

Beef steak Tomato

Early Girl Tomato

Cherry Tomato

Cucumber

Zucchini

Yellow Squash

Cantalope

Watermelon

Pumpkin

Basil

 Marigold

Winston also built a super cool gate between our house & Aleta's. Now that she has scouts at her house every Monday--we need a barrior. Actually we will be fencing in the entire yard, so the gate was an easy place to start. Xander will be on the move, sooner that I would like. We will also be pouring a concrete patio & putting in some grass until we are ready for the pool (maybe a few years down the road)

So Many Quilts...I've Gotta Make Time

Well...my line up for summer quilt projects has begun.
I am so {EXCITED}!

I realize that I will not be able to plow through them

like in the past with the baby,

however, I am looking forward to getting my hands busy!

Super Sized NINE Patch

I have 6 (yes 6) baby quilts ready to quilt...3 boy & 3 girl.

Lots of babies due in the family on all sides (& a friend or 2).

A few years ago I found this awesome super-sized 9 patch pattern.

It has been my [Go-To] baby quilt--

because it makes 3 (yes 3) of them at once!!!

If you want the directions let me know.

You basically take 3 coordinating fabrics...1 yard each. You fold them half, then half again & cut 9" one way, then 9" the other way. Swap the middle, sides & corners around. Voila! you have 3 quilts!! EASY! I have the minky for the backs--now I just need to get dancing :)

Also in the LINE UP: 

1. A buggy barn design-FQ Stack & Whack Folk Art Flowers

2. Patriotic churn dash/Irish chain kit 

3. A Moda jelly roll pattern

{DROOLING} over so many CUTE patterns on www.modabakeshop.com

Play Time

Play time with Jakob.

They have been buddies since, well, the womb.

They are having fun today building train tracks...apparently the

[TREE FORT] was BoRiNg!

(Baby pic-Jan. 2005 SeaWorld)

Bubble!

My sister in law, Aleta, took this picture of Jace. Perfect for a 10 year old boy! I hope she wasn't driving & picture taking when he accomplished this massive bubble.

23 Days Left!

Ohhhh how I dislike waking a

SLEEPING BABY

from his nap to pick up Kinder kids : (

23 more [SCHOOL] days left 'til summer VaCaTiOn....

Then it's

Clogging camp

Girl's Camp

Swim lessons

 Scout camp #1

Scout camp #2

maybe school isn't so bad after all.

Grandma Elton

The boys had a special breakfast with Grandma at our Ward's Primary activity.

Mother's Day

I had a wonderful, restful Mother's Day. My husband was very sweet. He made me breakfast in BED. Landon was a very attentive waiter :) Mushroom, spinach omelet with sourdough toast & banana/raspberries with whipped cream. Delicious!

Little Xander's tooth cut through!! I'm not sure if I am ready to let the newborn stage go. I guess they can't stay lil' babies forever. Xander fell asleep at 8:30 am, so I decided I would stay home to give him a rest. After 2 days of short naps...he needed it! Winston took the older 3 to church & I got some much needed sleep as well! [YEAH] He slept for 2 1/2 hours!! Then around 2 pm, he took another 3 hour nap. SCORE!

We had Winston's family over for a Potluck Dinner. It was so good! Lots of fresh vegetables & fruit. Homemade bread. Delicious trifle. YUM.

I am very thankful for my children. Each one has her/his own talents & strengths. I love watching them grow & develop into their individual selves. At every age I say, "This is my favorite age"; only to be surprised that the next stage of development is exciting with new things to learn. Sometimes I wonder if I am doing right by these precious souls. I wonder when their mother is going to show up, then I realize-hey wait...I'm the MOTHER! But, thankfully, I was mothered by wonderful women. It's easy to mimic their examples.  My mom taught me to be independent & do my very best no matter what. She taught me the wonderful world of books & reading. She taught me to respect my elders & to learn all I can from them. She also taught me to laugh & enjoy life. (Pictures 1980)

My mother-in-law is someone I look up too. I have learned so many things from her. She is so patient & kind to my children. She delights in all the small & simple things that they do. She has raised a son to be kind, caring & fun. She is always uplifting & fun to be around. I can truly call her a friend & confidante. She gives great advice when I am struggling with a decision. I know I can always turn to her when I need help. I love you Lora. You are a blessing in my life. (Lora with my nephew, Charles & Landon)

Everybody Loves...WINSTON!

I was searching through our files upon files of pictures over the years & I had a hard time finding a picture of my hubby. I finally found this picture & it fits him perfectly.

He is a Man of Faith. A wonderful husband.
A playful, fun daddy. A friend.

A dependable brother. A loving son.

Everybody loves...WINSTON. 

He manages to handle all the pressure & demands of family life,

church activity, his business & Friday Night HOCKEY.

 I {LOVE} him with all my {HEART}!

Jace

I am a BIG brother. I am a LITTLE brother. I am kind, caring & CONSIDERATE.

I think of others needs. I am a BOOKWORM. I am a MaThMaTiCiAn.

I am a CUB SCOUT. 

I am a CLOGGER. I am a SOCCER Player. I am a PEACEMAKER.

I am a SUPER, COOL {10} year old

that loves my family, my playtime & my cousins!

(And I no longer have braces)

Xander

I'm so excited that I captured his beautiful eyelashes.

I see a little glimpse of {HEAVEN}.

"Be a MOTHER who is committed to

loving her children

into standing on higher ground

than the environment surrounding them.
Mother's ARE endowed with a 

[LOVE]

that is unlike any other

{love} on the face of the earth."

*Marjorie Pay Hinckley*