Mini-golf

We'll have to make this one of those "don't tell Carson and Chandler you got to do this" secrets...or daddy for that matter.

11 years

Brian and I were married 11 years ago today. Instead of lounging on a sandy beach miles from here, we are doing the same old. The same old that makes up this crazy, chaotic and happy life we both wouldn't trade for anything. Lucky us. Eleven years down eternity to go. Happy anniversary darling.

Nine

(my laptop cord is on the blitz, so this iphone post/pic will have to do)

All of this children growing up on me business has got to stop! Chandler turned nine today and is starting to show signs that he is growing up. As we were walking into Applebees this afternoon he said, "Mom, will you just promise me one thing? Don't tell them it's my birthday." I kept my promise.

Tonight I made his regular requested birthday dinner: sweet and sour chicken and chocolate cake. Afterwards, we all said some things we like about our Chan-man. Grandpa Woodward said it best; "we can always tell when Chandler is happy, (then a little under his breath) and when he's not." He's been  that way since day one!

Hard to believe we'll be sending him off on his mission in a short 10 years. I just hope the next 9 years slows down a little. We love our Chandler and all that personality that has kept us entertained all these years. 

My baby is one.

I didn't know I'd be so sad. It is a good thing she looks like she is only 9 months old.

She really wanted the cupcake. 

Then we started singing.  Singing always makes her quit screaming.

A year old already! I'm so glad that I spent so much time on the couch holding her those first few months.

Happy Birthday baby Clara and my sister Chelsea!

Kate's new dress.

For a little girl who is already planning her wedding, getting a new dress to wear to church is thrilling. My mom was going to buy her a new dress for her birthday last month, but at the end of the day we came up empty handed. Everything was too trendy, low quality and not girlie enough. So to Joann's it was. I think the dress is perfect, and most importantly, Kate does too. It has me convinced that sewing is the way to go. Maybe we could get a pattern swap going on...

Ding dong the blog's been dead.

Warmer weather, fussy baby, 300+ baked and frosted sugar cookies,

reading, sleepless nights because of fussy baby, trying to keep up and

not keeping up, practices, laundry, dishes, and overall craziness of

some not to be mentioned children that I swear is a result of spring

has got me counting down the days until summer vacation and not

blogging. However, last night, Brian and I went to the temple and what do you

know, all my problems were solved and I'm sufficiently renewed. Bring

on the weekend!

 (Clara, during a bright spot in her week yesterday at the park.)

These are the days.

These are all the pictures that I took of my children on Sunday before we left to church. Not a one of them would be considered fit for a magazine. But to me, they are perfect. I'm sure that one day when each of them have left my little nest I'll get teary eyed remembering the cute things they said, the little tantrums they had and what an ordeal it was to get them all ready for church all by myself while daddy was at his church meetings. These will be the good old days for sure.

the scoop.

You may not know it, but while some can't keep their children outside, I can't keep mine inside.  I think it may be because 3 boys in a row close together means you always have someone to play with???  So with the constant kicking of a soccer ball or throwing the baseball around we are discovering we have outgrown our yard.  And so, we're looking to upsize our yard for these growing boys.  It also won't hurt to have some more work for them to do around the yard as they get older and more capable.  We have no clue where, not far for sure, but selling our house is the first order of business. 

Some like it hot.

The new breakfast of champions. Chips and salsa.

For Sale

Children not included.

Remember how I'm trying to have greater patience? Well, that is why
I'm laying next to Kate in my bed at 8:30pm instead of doing other
things that indeed aren't as important.

Five

It was the most anticipated birthday to date.  He had his primary class at church counting down, he had his preschool class counting down and you better believe that everyone at home knew how many days till the big day.  And so at 6:30 am on Friday he was knocking away on the wall of his bedroom no doubt summoning for his breakfast in bed.  I went to his room and sure enough, there he was sitting up in bed humming "happy birthday to you" eagerly awaiting his requested Honey Bunches of Oats with strawberries on the side.  And what were the wishes of this five year old on his birthday you might ask?  Go to the egg farm and give a tour to his friend Owen (a tour not to be outdone I understand), play a computer game on dad's computer, borrow the wii from grandma and get a transformer.  All those wishes came true so I suppose it was a success.  And really, it's already been FIVE years?!  We love this boy.

happy

This picture I took of my baby Clara today makes me happy.  Because she is happy!  The antibiotics she started on Friday are doing their job and she has gotten relief from the ear pain that she's had for who knows how long.  She's been trying my patience.  But it's not her fault.

Speaking of patience.  Our family home evening lesson tonight was on patience.  Because it's a lesson we all needed.  And when it came to bedtime the children were mighty lucky that their parents had just given that particular lesson!  We gleaned our lesson material from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's recent sermon on patience he gave during the Priesthood session of General Conference.  If you're looking for some extra inspiration on the subject yourself go here for the video.  The first part is particularly interesting.