My New Love of Broadway

Last weekend I spent Saturday watching this:

Did some shopping here:

And ate a YUMMY dinner here:

The best part was doing this with my mom and sister...

Next stop.......

I CAN'T WAIT!

1st Grade is Underway!

Yes, you may say it is another blah-blah-blog post for back to school, but I guarantee to all the mommies out there it is WAY more than that. So here it goes!

The night before, while giving the boys haircuts there was a discussion.

Landon: Why does Colton get to be the first one to go to school?

Me: Because he is older, he will always go to school 2 grades ahead of you.

Landon: It isn't fair, how come he gets 2 recesses and lunch at school?

Me: When you are in 1st grade you will get 2 recesses and lunch at school Landon.

Landon: I want to be First (the story of Landon's poor "middle child" syndrome life right now).

Me: Guess what! You will get to do everything first before Cheznee!

Landon: BIG Grin ...giggle...

Colton's first day back to school photo... (cheezy, I know, but that is the best he would do for me).

We have 3 extra kids living with us for the week (and their dad) so the first day was a bit more complex then normal. 3 different school start and end times and 4 different schools... We filled up the van and started out at 7:40 a.m. We arrived at Colton's school and what do I see out front? A wonderfully organized mother snapping 1st day photos of her kiddos in front of the school - lightbulb - "AHHHHHH I forgot 1st day photos!!!" Being that we were 20 minutes early, we quickly ran home and with A TON of bribery and begging I snapped this fabulous shot!

Notes of the day:

• Colton held my hand all the way from the parking lot to his classroom door, where he gave me a BIG HUGE HUG, a look of fear and asked me to stay by him in line. (I cherish this as it could end at any moment!)
• His Camo Lunchbox: Turkey and cheese sandwich with mayo only, sunchips, cookies and a Capri sun. So far cold lunch is preferred, but Hot Pepperoni Pizza is the plan for Wednesday!
• After school: He stated that the BEST part of his day was lunch and his 2 recesses of course!
• Came home exhausted, played the Wii to wind down ate dinner and asked to go to bed.

It was a GOOD day!

Dilemma....

I have been doing quite a bit of "fretting" over this room lately. After being in out home for 7 months I am really feeling the NEED to get it warmed up a little. Right now it is lacking that "home comfort." Although the walls aren't stark white they are a light tan and Just might need a little more color on them. I am pretty much into "country" decor and I think one of my problems is that this room is a little more modern that I like. It needs to be countrified! I have boxes of decorations for the blah walls, but think I want to put a splash of color on them first.

This week I have visited countless stores and websites for inspiration! What did I get...a handful of paint chips and 2 magazines. Not so inspired - yet.

So here it is! The DILEMMA Room. (please ignore the toys and the little girl sleeping on the loveseat. - These are BEFORE pictures anyway...Right?)


Yep, it is pretty cold & blah! I have come to the conclusion that I am going to have to work with the pillows I have now, as they are fairly brand new and the furniture of course. I love my couches and chair and this $18 table. SO my color scheme will have to involve blue/brown and gold - maybe I can add something a little more lively to the mix (red - oh how I LOVE red).

These are "currently" the curtains we have. We have two 72" wide windows in this room which have really nice view of our backyard so we really wanted to keep them open so we opted to not put the wide white wooden blinds in these windows (they are too heavy to open when they get that big and I didn't want to look through slats all the time.) I have decided that these curtains MUST GO! They are really nice, but just to formal for my taste. So what to do....Maybe I will go with these (below) which I have in the connecting dining room - basically for looks, and put blinds up too? Or maybe roman shades or something similar (We need to be able to close them for privacy at night.)

I thought of painting a wall the "ice blue" color, but that is not happening. Maybe a soft gold or darker tan. I really don't want the room any more dreary... Maybe I need some more Yellow and or a red accent. I am thinking of maybe a golden color on the 2 walls on each side of the fireplace...

Hmmmm...am so perplexed! I just don't know where to start. Grrrrrrrrrrr, I am usually full of ideas, but I am now full of frustration.

Maybe I just need to go Here (above) and sit and think for a bit with a bowl of ice cream or a diet Pepsi. HGTV here I come.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

You take us FUN places...

You teach us NEW things...
You love us every day...

We are so HAPPY you are our Daddy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Today is your day!

Wow, 7 years! It just seemed like yesterday I was all giddy about being a NEW MOM! My life changed the moment our eyes met. Our sweet little "starter child" has grown into such a caring, honest and loving boy. Every day I get to see you grow and learn. You have such a desire to do good and truly care for others. You have taught me how to be a mother and have always tolerated my not-so-shiny mother moments with unconditional love. Every day we continue to learn so much from each other. I cannot wait to see what this next year will bring.

Happy 7th Birthday Colton!

Your likes: Chocolate anything. Clam chowder in a bread bowl and shrimp. Star Wars - Wii games, lightsaber fights, movies, action figures. Drawing pages and pages of paper & ink artwork. You have a serious talent of making amazing sound effects while you draw - I can just see the gears turning. "Fresh" clean sheets on your bed. Individual slices of Costco pizza on your own paper plate - not in a box! Cherry Slushies from Sonic. Rollarcoasters - all that stops you is your height! Jumping on trampolines. Waverunners, tubing, playing baseball, soccer, golfing with daddy or papa, swimming, silly dancing & bike rides. Your brother and sister. Hugs and cuddles. Friends & playdates. Your puppy, Jaxon.

Your Dislikes: Going anywhere in the car. "Slobbers," you will not share any food products or utensils. Being the center of attention. Being woken up by your brother's Opera singing. Peanut butter. Spiders. Boredom!

What's new: You FINALLY took the leap and learned to ride a bike without training wheels this summer - you were so proud of this and so was I! You are becoming a very good swimmer. You jump off the diving board without fear, you can hold your breath underwater for a really long time and crawl stroke across the pool without touching once! A few weeks ago you were asked to say the prayer in Primary - and you DID it, such a big moment for you...I was moved to tears. You have a new love for Marionberry Jam on toast. School starts in a couple weeks and you will go all day - very exciting for you, although mommy is a bit saddened to think of you being away for so long.

Nicknames: Bug-a-boo or Spud

Mommy's Favorites: Your sincere hugs and "I love you's" fill my heart with joy. The best part is knowing that you really mean it. I love how you are learning so much, so fast. The love you have for your siblings. You adore your sister and will do almost anything for her. You are her protector, to see you holding her hand melts me. You have such a desire to teach you brother new things, although you may get frustrated you continue to try. You have shared a room with him since he was 18 months old and the thought of not having him near is terrifying to you. You are my BIGGEST helper. Your love of babies. Your desire to make good choices and seeing you choosing to follow the Savior on your own is a blessing to witness.

I love you more and more each day!

Landon is 5!

Just a short time ago...

You were the cutest little baby, and now, well... our little beans is five years old, I just cannot believe it (nor do I want to)... You have brought so much love, compassion and fun to these past 5 years. Your love of music, dancing, creating and inventing keeps mommy on her toes. I think you must have the loudest, most unique voice - although rather annoying - We LOVE to hear it. And your laugh, well, it is something else.

You like: Music, especially the Mamma Mia Soundtrack, Kids Bop and singing in Primary. Projects, projects, projects - anything that involves paper, glue, scissors, markers and whatever we can find, (your imagination and creativity amaze me). Cooking (and eating), you always want to help in the kitchen - from mixing and pouring to washing the dishes. Water, baths, swimming, sprinklers, did I mention he loves water? Imagining, playing house, doctor or hotel. Warm blankies fresh out of the dryer. DIRT!

You don't like: Not getting your way. Cleaning up the playroom. Being alone. Loud noises. Waiting for anything! The sight of blood. Being left out. Not being the fastest. Most veggies. Weird smells. Shopping with mommy.

What's new: School, you will go to afternoon preschool this fall and are so excited! Bedtime, you now ask to go to bed instead of resisting - love this! Drawing, you are learning the love of drawing (just like your big brother). Bravery, you are my super hero, so brave and independent, doing so many more things this year on your own.

Your Nicknames: Lan-shank, Landonator, Little Beans, Landon Beans

Mommy's Favorites: I would say your sideways smile and big brown eyes are at the top of my list! You also have this pouty look that just melts me. Your laugh, deep, raspy and so contagious. The way you sing from the top of your lungs (opera style) to let everyone know it is morning. You overflow with love and compassion, caring so much for others. You can get heartbroken so easily, but I love knowing that you want me to hold you when it happens.

As you start a new year full of fun and adventure, may all your wishes come true!

Blue Eyes

Creating again

So, you are probably tired of seeing these photos...but I had to share what I accomplished today. I finally had a moment to do a little digital scrapbooking with this friend last night. I started out with a totally different layout, had it almost complete, closed it to finish later and somehow in my forgetfulness DIDN'T SAVE THE CHANGES! I was SICK! So I closed up my computer and went to bed with the satisfaction that I at least had a fun adult conversation in blissful peace and quiet. So this morning I started fresh! I must say this layout turned out much better. It was so much fun and I must say "the addiction is back!"

Now, if I could just get enough pages done to have a book made.