And Then There Were Six...

Funny Quotes

2012-01-08T11:13:00.000-08:00

Ashley : I was a cool kid.

Tyler: The leaves are blowing off the tree. We need to get more!

Aiden: I want to go see the baby happy-lina. (javalina)

Isaiah to "Pop" who was eating a cookie: Put you hands up. Now. Good. Give me you cookie. Now. (gets cookie) Thank you.

Christmas Day! Hip Hip Hooray!

2012-01-05T13:14:00.000-08:00

I will simply sip my machiatto, and let the pictures do the "talking"!

My prayer for you is that you have a blessed New Year!

If you don't know my family...
this post might be boring for you...
no witty insight into life...
no lessons to learn...
just random family shots that I'm willing to share...
because...
we have lots of family that lives far away...
and the boys are adopted and their biomoms like to see them grow up and do fun things...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

The boys coming down the hall to spy what Santa brought them!

This is the spy plane from Cars 2. I had no idea it shot missiles...

Well, it used to shoot missiles...

Perhaps I should have gotten him a hair brush to go with his tooth brush...

The teenager! She wakes!

(and is promptly put to the task of assembling the first toy!)

When she FIRST began looking at colleges...

she tracked the distance to the nearest Trader Joe's...

I've since explained that there will be plenty of good stuff wherever she decides to go.

Plus she got a gift card to RoadRunner Sports...

She can run to wherever!

Hey Kid! Now that you have your own Angry Birds game ~ LEAVE MY PHONE ALONE!

These two have had a long night! Neither one stayed awake through present opening...

Jesey (the Queensland Heeler) found their gifts two days early and spent the rest of the week eating them!

2012 Baby! The year she graduates!

Tour books for our European Mommy/Daughter Backpack trip across Europe!

Shelby got toe socks and clothes!

Aiden got TWO MONIES!

This kid is a money freak! He would rather have money than a gift.

He also got a "Cars" hat.

OK - enough gloating!

Ashley does this guessing thing before she opens any gift. They guessed the gift correctly ~

a power inverter for her cigarette lighter in her truck.

Seriously? How do you guess something like that?

I have no words...

when these two are together...

anything can (and usually does) happen!

Tim was so excited that he got a box from Victoria's Secret! LOL!

We have matching SNAP Fitness memberships. I know ~ we are adorable...

Look what my awesome daughter bought me!

A copper bowl fireplace! LOVE IT!

Tyler made me Christmas Tree ornaments!

These are so much fun!

Christmas Morning, 2011!

Shelby (15), Ashley (17)

Tyler (5), Isaiah (3), Aiden (3)

Dog pile on Dad!

Christmas morning relax time! Just chillin with the raisins, popcorn, and toys!

Christmas Eve at the Roth House!

2012-01-04T05:26:00.000-08:00

All the little creatures were snuggled...

into one bed...

in hopes that Dear Santa...

would not scare them dead!

Yep. Sometimes. There just are no words...not even from me...well, I guess a few!

Aiden slept through the last half of Christmas Eve service and was a little disoriented and crabby by the time we got home, delivered Reindeer Dust to grandma's, and then sprinkled (dumped) Reindeer Dust at our house...He was just not in the mood to do anything but snuggle with mom. Mom, however, had other "things" that needed to be dealt with. (Daddy was at work, and the teenagers...well, you will see. Teenagers are teenagers! Consider the source!)

Me: "Ashley...wrap this for me please."

Ashley: "Ok. Whose name do you want on the tag?

Me: "um...Let me get my list."

Me: "It's for you!"

Ashley: <Snarl Face!>

Marco and Ashley

Marco decided to "decorate" Ashley's box to make up for her having to wrap her own gift.

He's so nice!

He's so groovy!

Here is Shelby!

And then the human wrapping began....

Ninja Shelby!

I didn't know Ninja's smiled.

Arabian Princess Shelby...

Now I'm just confused!...

This is what I have to deal with on Christmas Eve....

I love every minute of it...

kinda...

till 2:am hits...

then I'm toast!

Reindeer Dust

2011-12-31T20:15:00.000-08:00

This year, we decided to make "Reindeer Dust" to guide Santa and the reindeer to our home.

Where we live in the country we have random critters run through our yard.

Many recipes call for glitter, and if we lived in the city, that would be great, but we don't and I didn't want the rabbits, birds, javalina, or any other nocturnal critter eating the glitter and getting sick.

We used barley, magic reindeer dust (sugar colored with food dye), sunflower seeds, and rolled oats.

I gave each of the boys a spoon, and said, "Fill up your containers!"

Fill away they did!

The reindeer dust was very popular...

OK ~ This is grossing me out!

Mary Poppins would get along great with this kid..."Just a spoonful of sugar..."

Love this kid! He has his container packed tight!

Off to Grandma's house...for a quick "dusting"...then back home to "dust" our yard!

Yep, these are classy kids!

Aiden with one croc and one untied shoe, Tyler looking like a grandpa with white knee high socks and slippers, and Isaiah...well, we never know what he will show up in. Tonight he actually looks pretty good!

Aiden is DONE! He has had it! He just wants to go in!

Aiden in a pouty/whiney voice: "Why haf leave dust? I no wanna."

Me: "Because you made it. Now let me take a picture and you can dump it on the ground for all I care."

Do I hear "Mom of the Year"? NOT!

This kid already dumped his!

Tyler sprinkled the entire yard!

The little critters were very happy with his "dusting"!

Off to bed to wait for Santa!

A Random Shot of Tim and I...

2011-12-30T06:00:00.000-08:00

In October, we traveled to Indianapolis, IN for a Mr. Rooter Reunion. There was a formal dinner...and...here we are!

The Family Photoshoot!

2011-12-28T19:24:00.000-08:00

Each year, I want a picture Christmas card. Each year, I get...

ugghh...

I'm not available then...

Just Photoshop me in...

WaY too many excuses to make this mommy happy.

When it got down to the last minute, I pulled out the big guns...

GUILT!

Now, this has to be played just right...

otherwise...

it backfires.

This year...

it almost backfired.

Ashley didn't care. She doesn't like to be in pictures, and Tim HATES to have anything to do with a camera!

So, while on our way to Grandma's for Sunday night dinner...

we detoured to the local park...

I was armed with my tripod and a friend of Ashley's.

I figured I would set up the photo, and all Marco had to do was "shoot"!

Here is what we came up with...

This one is cute...

I can work with the shadows...

however...

do you see the kid in the front?

Seriously? I FINALLY get my time with the family, and "goofy" shows up.

Now, we are talking! Picture #4, and I'm feeling pretty good.

See ~ now that wasn't so bad, right?

By now, Tim decided we had a good one and we should go home...

I had other ideas. I like choices. I wanted a water shot! Down to the creek we go!

Between Aiden's hand placement and Tyler's cheesie smile...

this was a No!

Isaiah was being a goof ball and trying to "fall" into the water.

The thing about having multiple children...

is getting ALL of them looking at the camera at the same time, all smiling at the same time, and all cooperating at the same time!

When you get a man who is "pacifying" his wife, a moody teenager, and three "cRaZY" little boys...

there will be funny moments.

I'm so glad we had Marco to go with us and grab a few of the poses that I "set up"!

Ugghhh....what is Tyler looking at?

The kids are getting grumpy...

Dad is beyond ready to leave...

but Mommy isn't done!

Grumpy Aiden had BETTER turn that frown upside down!

I kinda like this one, but I wasn't sure...

There was one more spot on the way to the truck that I wanted to try out.

(Maybe this is why they don't like taking family photos...I'm picky!)

...and then...

we get a good one!

A little tweaking...

and that is the one hanging on our wall!

Enjoy a few random shots from the 30 minutes that we were at the park!

Ashley & Isaiah

Dad & Aiden

Marco ~ My "shoot" man!

Since he is wearing Ashley's letterman jacket...

we decided to say the "M" stands for Marco...

not Mingus! (His high school rival...)

My boys!

Ashley & Marco

The Kids!

There is this really amazing tree that I tried to climb this summer when I had the kids at the park for the Spring/Father's Day photoshoot. Tim, being a much better climber than I, went right up the tree to take the kid pict. I love these kinds of pictures.

Here is Tim!

I snapped a photo of him while he was on his way down from the tree...

itsn't this a great tree?

I love my crazy family...

even when I'm fighting with them to take a good picture!

Pizza...the Highlights Way

2011-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

In the mornings, the boys often read their Highlights while I make breakfast. This particular morning Tyler found a pizza recipe he wanted to try...

Enjoy their fun!

(BTW: the pizza's were AWESOME! and the kids ate a ton of veggies!)

Funny Face Pizzas....

the pictoral how to..

Reading in the am...

First ~ you have to pick out a good recipe.

Then~ you have to go to the supermarket to get the supplies.

Next ~ you make the dough...

(because this mommy doesn't do frozen/premix)

Taste test time!

(The dough is rising!)

Time to practice our cutting skills.

Aiden thinks this is fun!

He stretched his bell pepper out long!

Tyler only likes the broccoli leaf part.

Kneading the dough...

Everyone gets a turn...

Everyone gets to practice!

Roll it...

Extreme concentration!

Sauce!

CHEESE!!!

Check out Aiden's.

Tyler made an awesome smiley face!

They are ready for the oven!

Yep ~ mommy made one too!

While the pizzas bake, the boys practice cutting some more, and they ate the rest of the veggies.

Checking out the pizza!

This is one happy boy with a happy pizza!

Now, you saw how easy it was to make homemade pizza....

try it yourself!

(Our FAVORITE way to bake the crust is usually on the bbq grill.)

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-21T23:28:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness ~ what a quick year! If you frequently follow my blog...then you will know that it has been suspiciously quiet this year. So quick, go grab a cup of coffee and a biscotti, and settle down to get caught up in our chaos! (Unless you are just here for the pictures....then just scroll down to the bottom. ~ Just a little FYI...watch for 2011 pictures to appear in posts in 2012 - I couldn't believe the number of pictures I found that didn't get posted!)

January brought a new adventure for the twins. Since it was their 3rd birthday, they were exited from our state developmental program and entered into the public school for preschool development and intervention help. That means they got to ride the bus and everything! They hit the school running and have loved every minute of it ~ well, kinda. For their birthday, we took them to the movies for the first time. What a fun adventure that was! They continue to remain close, but they each have their own friends, and their own personalities. Aiden is loud, cuddly, and very active. Isaiah is a bit more reserved, and enjoys role playing and pretending to be a monster. He has discovered Spider Man and is HOOKED! Aiden prefers Batman.

Tim and I are still busy running our Mr. Rooter business. I found that I am far more involved with the business than I ever planned on! We currently have 5 technicians and Tim working out in the field. God has truly blessed us with this adventure. I will admit though, that I often wonder why He brought us in the direction. My life's intent was not to be a working mom. I'm definitely not taking well to this role I'm in right now. Many of my activities have been set to the side while I figure out how to effectively be a good business owner. I quit once, but then I was told that as an owner, I'm not allowed to quit. Who made up that rule? It is a sucky rule! Tim seems to be enjoying himself. He comes home with great stories to tell about the clients. He also comes home with awesome descriptions of the multimillion dollar homes he works in. :)

We were able to grab a few weekend getaways during the year. A relaxing weekend in Scottsdale, and a fast paced few days in San Diego. I've also convinced Tim to remodel the rest of the house so our last leg of this insane journey is the kitchen/dining room/great room. Once it is done, I will post pictures. The color is a lot more subtle than it has been in the past! LOL! Tim has continued his presidency on the school board. It is a position that he takes very seriously.

In March, we were lucky enough to travel to Hawaii. All six of us went, and we loved it. We discovered that all of our kids (except Ashley) LOVES to fly! (Go figure.) Everytime we tell Aiden that we are going on vacation or going to fly he gets excited and says, "Boys going to Hawaii again?" Boy do I wish...! We also found out that Ashley enjoys surfing and Tyler and Isaiah are not good hikers. Our "ultimate boat ride" turned out to be the "boat ride from hell" for Tim and Ashley. They were both so severly sick that it was up to me to contain all three boys. When Aiden saw the dolphins swimming alongside the boat he stepped on the railing and said, "Me gonna go swim with dolphins." It was at that moment that I requested life vests for all the boys! With Aiden, you just never know!

Tyler celebrated his 5th birthday during the year. It happened to coincide with Easter so now he thinks that his birthday is on Easter! He also started Kindergarten this year. What a big step for him! On the first day of school he decided that he wanted to ride the bus since he is a big kid. I struggled with it far more than he did! In fact, I'm not sure he missed me at all. He has the most amazing kinder teacher! She genuinely loves all the kids and wants to help them. She is silly and sings songs and she is perfect! We are so blessed to have her. The Christmas Program was by far the BEST program I've ever seen. Let me tell you, being a teacher for as long as I was...I had seen quite a few! Tim and I had our eyes glued to the stage during the entire performance! (I even forgot to watch the twins! Thank goodness the grandparents were there!) Tyler is going to be a good little actor. I'm thinking of putting him in the summer theater program in June. He never missed a cue! Singing...jamming on the guitar (not real)...hand motions...everything! The worse part...I didn't have a video recorder, a regular camera, or even my phone! I blaim it on the whole 4 kids syndrome...at least I had all of my kids with me when I left. (Except Ashley who was at a soccer game where she suffered a severe concussion...)

Ashley ended her junior year with a bang! Prom was a huge success ~ I was invited to help decorate and I had a blast! I love getting to know all the students. She also found out that she was accepted into the CNA program through the hospital for the first semester of her senior year. It was very odd having children entering both a senior year of high school and a kindergartener! (Plus two preschoolers!) Her heifer "dropped" her second baby in February. It is always so much fun to watch the babies begin to breathe and take their first steps! I recorded it all for Ashley so she could see it when she got home. She has missed both births due to school! Bummer. Ashley graduated from her CNA program with honors and took the state boards on Monday. We will know after Christmas how she did. Still suffering the side effects of a concussion, we are all a little worried about how her testing went. As of Dec. 21 ~ she still hasn't been released to play soccer. She struggles with not being able to take the field for practice, but we want her healthy before she plays again. The trainer has her banned from ALL activity right now. Please say a prayer of healing for her! In July, Ashley and I spent a couple nights in San Fransisco. The trip was mostly business, but we found time to play. It was an adventure with her that I will cherish all of my life. I'm so glad we were able to share that time together. In October, Tim and Ashley took the Grand College Tour. They spent a few days in Southern California touring university after university! Tim texted at one point and said he was confused by which school was which. He also said that he wants to go back to college! Ashley is planning to attend college in California. She plans on...surfing, swimming, and soccer. I hope she finds time to study too! So far ~ she has been accepted to Point Loma. She is waiting to hear back from Biola, Pepperdine, and Bayler (TX). ASU is an option, but she is really wanting to leave the state.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I frequently post small tidbits of our day, and the silly things that go on in FaceBook. You can look me up and "friend" me. One of my three New Year's Resolutions is to be better at blogging. Hopefully, beginning December 27th, you will see more frequent blog posts. I'm rearranging my work schedule to have a little more time at home. It might just be a picture or two, or even just a snippet, but my goal is to stay connected!

Love and blessings to you all!

The Roth 6

Tim, Robyn, Ashley, Tyler, Aiden, and Isaiah

(Due to the slow upload at Blogger...there will be multiple days of pictures ~ not just this post! Keep looking!)

Race Day at the Roth House!

Ready to Go Mom!

This is what happens when you give "Sister" the clippers to cut hair!

My little climber!

Baby Bull Calf...about 2 hours old.

Momma love!

This little guy is so lovable! He is probably the last of Ashley's babies. This will be her show steer for her Senior year.

My mom moved to Camp Verde last November. This was our first of many family dinners!

Scattergories = J + clothing = Javalina Slippers

Shopping trip to Prescott. Three generations! Mom with grandkids in far back...Tyler with Lance's boys in the middle...Ashley driving...me? Riding shotgun, baby!

Tyler with his Prayer jar.

Enjoying the morning with my fashionable young boys. Donuts and lawn chairs are a must!
We were at my mom's waiting for her to get home so the boys could go hiking with Grandma.

"Hiking" with grandma in the woods (aka: her backyard!)

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T06:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day!

Me and My Dad!

June 18, 2011

An Evening in June...

2011-06-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

My family, although appearing in many photos, don't enjoy having their picture taken. In fact, it takes an act of congress, a request filled out in triplicate, and filed 6 months in advance for Tim to willingly take a photo. (OK ~ perhaps that is an exaggeration, but you get the idea right? He does not like his photo taken.)

Tonight was a little different...

* It was date night!

(I LOVE date nights.)

PLUS...

* Tim's mom called, and she is going to see family therefore she needs current photos to take with her...current FAMILY photos...not just KID photos.

Ashley is housesitting at a home in a different town, Tim and I were planning a date, Aiden had been sick, but we found a compromise...

take the boys to Ashley where she is housesitting, and

get a family photo there!

It's in a town that we don't eat out in often so the dynamics were perfect!

I love the flowers in the garden ~ they added an element I was pleasantly surprised with.

All in all...

I LOVE THEM!

There are only three, but that is all we needed...here they are.

Tim and I

The Family

Roth x 6

Persian Nights...Prom 2011

2011-06-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

My Persian Prom Princess...

Ashley, April 2011

Prom

At first she was excited for prom....

then ~ she decided she didn't want to go...

Finally, she went...

and she had a BLAST!

Nothing like last minute decisions...

Getting ready...

Yep, she did her own makeup...

threw her hair in a ponytail...

note the polish free fingernails...

One last look...

then off for Mommy's photo shoot!

I think this is one of my favorites...

subtle and classic.

I do love this close up though...

I absolutely ADORE the smile.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
(2 Timothy 3:14-15)

"I am the Master of My Universe!

Don't you just feel like bursting out in song...

"He's got the whole world in His hands,..."

31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way

2011-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

Cleaning...

Not Cleaning...

CleANing..., but why?

So, it's no secret that I HATE to clean. Well, I should rephrase that ... I don't HatE to clean...I just don't understand why we need to do it! Yes, there is the roach and insect issue, but beyond that ~ WHY???

True, a clean home is honoring to God and your family...have you read Proverbs 31 or Titus 2? Go, now and read. If you are like me you will shake, get an eye twitch, become nauseous, get a sudden migraine, your palms will sweat and you will feel the need to hide in the closet (with the lights off and the door closed!).

I always wonder: "How can I ever measure up to that?"

Housework takes time away from reading, chatting on FaceBook, watching movies, playing in the yard with my kids, doing yard work, planting/growing a garden, exercising (hey, I might exercise more if I didn't have to clean), taking pictures, blogging...do you get the idea and the visual image that I have other things to do besides CLEAN?

In my efforts to be a better wife (in the house keeping area), I bought a book. (Escapism...it's my reality! If I'm reading a book about what I need to be doing then it doesn't really count as procrastination or avoidance.) 31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way. I grabbed my phone (because my mom has my Kindle...thank goodness I have a phone that has a Kindle app...whatever would my mom do?) and started reading.

I made it through the introduction just fine! I thought, "Wow! This lady has truly nailed it on the head! I'm so glad she wrote this book JUST FOR ME!"

Next, I got to Chapter 1..."Why Clean"
Why, indeed...
My thoughts exactly...

Then I got to the homework part...

Identify specific reasons you want to make your home a haven, and then complete a mission statement based on those reasons.

(Oh boy...doomed for failure in the first chapter ~ the first day.)

So, I did what every obedient wife does...I went to my husband for counsel, and I asked him, "Why do we want a clean home?"

His response: A blank stare. Maybe he had gas. I don't know...maybe he was forming a politically correct response, or trying to justify a clean home because deep down inside perhaps he too wants me to do more blogging or reading...or jeepers creepers more exercising! His verbal response was something like this.. "Because I want to know what our house would look like clean."

My response: "Whatever." I said it with dignity...not teenager sarcasm...I'm an adult!

Finally, I sat down with paper and a pen to create a list of why I want a clean home...Here is what I came up with ~

Why I want a clean home...

by Robyn

so I don't see mounds of dog hair floating on the floors
to have nice, shiny floors
it smells good
so my children don't get sick
I think...cleaning is suppose to make you feel good (I'm not real sure about this one!)
so people can sit on the sofa without dog fur sticking to them when they leave
so I don't have to panic every time someone shows up to the door
so the bathrooms are clean when guests show up
I think it might be pretty awesome to actually be able to see through the window...currently the windows are "artfully" decorated with finger prints and nose prints (4 kids...2 dogs...1 cat...at least I relocated the chickens!)
so I can be outside playing or working in a garden
so people can come to my home and feel comfortable
to serve my family as a Godly wife
to serve my husband with respect so he loves me.

After creating my list, I wondered...how much of this is authentically me? I know that I want my friends and acquaintances to enter my home and feel comfortable. I know that a clean home makes my husband feel happy when he comes home from work. I know that I feel happy when I walk into the house and it is clean. I can't help but wonder though...what is it going to take to turn myself around. Is a Mission Statement going to be enough?
We will see...

A personal mission statement provides clarity and gives you a sense of purpose. It defines who you are and how you will live.

Great...this is what I get for living in the age of technology...I can look up anything I want easily, but I don't know how to put it in to practice. I could use a little help here friends...

Robyn's Household Cleaning Mission Statement

I will serve my husband and my children by providing a clean and welcoming home to family and friends. I will put God first and seek His help to maintain the discipline and self-control needed to maintain the daily chores.

Now, I need to figure out a plan...

please...

someone....

tell me what "daily chores" are!

A Cat's Life

2011-06-12T06:00:00.000-07:00

I love when my teenager comes into my room early in the morning to snuggle with the cat, and converse with the mom!

What great friends the three of us are!

No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.

~Leo Dworken

This quote is so true...

Can you see the cat hair on my comforter?

Tigger came to live with us when Ashley was 2. She would haul him around in doll buggies, and child size shopping carts. She put boas on him as well as clip on jewelry. If Ashley was dressing up ~ Tigger got dressed up too. During the early years of roping...when Ashley had roping lessons ~ Tigger got roped.

Tigger has attacked large animals and small animals.

Now, 15 years later, he still gets into bed with the kids and waits for them to wake up. At that point he begins purring while they "maul" him.

By the way...He HATES to have his picture taken.

No Fear...of Cold Temperatures or Shallow Water

2011-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

We swim because we are too sexy for a sport that requires clothes.

~Author Unknown

Caution: No Diving

Shallow Water

Guess he can't read yet...

Will someone PLEASE wash this child's face?

Who is his mom?

There's a lot of LoVe in this little BaCkYard!

I Love My Kids!!!!

Isaiah & Aiden ~ 3 yr * Ashley ~ 17 yr * Tyler ~ 5 yr

Dinner at the Roth Table...

2011-06-10T06:00:00.000-07:00

Busy day?

Just don't want to eat the salad?

Eat little, sleep sound.

~Iranian Proverb

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

There was never a child so lovely but his mother was glad to get him to sleep.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

...JaGgeD toEnaiLs...

*sTicKY, diRty HanDs*

{ The peacefulness of sleep. }

Isaiah, May 2011, 3 years old

Summer Frivolity

2011-06-08T06:00:00.000-07:00

You are worried about seeing him spend his early years in doing nothing. What!

Is it nothing to be happy?

Nothing to skip, play, and run around all day long?

Never in his life will he be so busy again.

~Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emile, 1762

I love birthdays...

2011-06-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE birthdays!

It doesn't matter if it is mine, yours, a friend, a kid...I just love them!

Last week, my friend Pat and I met for dinner. We ate at a Foxconcept restaurant called sauce. We had pizza, salad, lasagne, and I had a glass of wine...and we TALKED! and Talked... and talked... then we decided to walk (since we missed the movie). The beauty of AZ is the number of outdoor malls. This particular spot was no different. The weather was beautiful, our tummies were full, we missed the movie so obviously ...the next logical step was to sHoP!

While shopping, Pat ~~took~~ dragged me into this cute boutique called Charming Charlies. Oh my goodness! Can you say, "I Love It!" I tried to walk out, but she blocked the door. What was I to do? There are racks and racks of jewelry, shelves filled with purses of every color and size, and clothes! and shoes! I couldn't contain myself. Well, actually I did ~ I didn't come home with everything I wanted...but enough.

Here is a photo of the dress that I picked up...along with the chain necklace! (and some other jewelry...I'll show you another time!)

Random Ramblings and Scenic Images

2011-06-06T21:14:00.000-07:00

Tyler...just spotted the water fall.

Beautiful isn't it?

This is it! Well, kinda...maybe not really...

2011-06-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

OK - this is by no means all of the Hawaii pictures that we have, but I'm tired of doing Hawaii posts...so...

This is obviously a hiking trail that we went on.

If you are so inclined to view all of our Hawaii pictures...

call me ~ we can do lunch or coffee and then talk Hawaii!

Enjoy!

Getting started!

Yes, I allow my children to eat random berries along the trail...

Ashley smelled it! It must be ok.

Wild ginger! Yum!

Can you believe the size of the trees?

Tim harvested some type of "potato" root or something off of the tree...

Aiden doing a karate move ~ fighting off the wild, invisible Hawaiian monsters.

Ashley Surfing in Hawaii

2011-05-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

While we were in Hawaii, Ashley had the opportunity to go surfing. We found an instructor, made an appointment, and away we went...

The water was very rough. In fact, the instructor called the night before and suggested finding an alternate spot, but we decided to stay at the original site anyway. Although the water was rough, there wasn't any rest time inbetween sets, Ashley stuck it out. She looked worn out by the time her lesson was over. Needless to say, she had a blast! She loved the whole experience...well, except when some other people came for a group lesson...they kept surfing right over the top of her. Guess they didn't teach surf etiquette!

I'll let the photos speak for themselves...by the way...she was up on her first wave! I don't think these are in any order...they are just here! Enjoy!

Before you look...

You HAVE to ask me about the first time we met the instructor...

You'll understand when you look...

It is a truly hilarious story!

Surf School 101

Ashley and her surf instructor

First things first...

surf safety.

Lie face down, and paddle...

up to your knees...face up watching...

then pop up! You need to be standing...

Here is the pier she was surfing next too. Look at the water ~ isn't it beautiful?

At one point, it rained, and the most amazing muted rainbow appeared.

The mountains you see in the background are usually covered with clouds. They say it is very seldom that you actually get to see the peaks.

Guess what? We saw them the day before!

Back to surf lessons...

heading out for the first wave!

She is not a tall person and so it was difficult for her to get out to the "surf start area"...

(I'm positive that is a technical term.)

Aiden...at least he has on his swim trunks today...

Last minute coaching while waiting for the "right" wave.

Here she comes!

OK - enough commentary...I'm sure you can determine what is going on...

Look at that face!

The joy and excitement!

She loved surfing...

(Pepperdine is looking better every day!

Malibu baby! ~ and it's only an 8 hour drive!)

Dad took time from his reading to help build sandcastles...

always the professional ~ wearing his Mr. Rooter t-shirt even on the beach in Hawaii...

Maybe we can write the whole trip off? OK - Nevermind.

Isaiah...

Surf in....

hustle back out...

Break time ... at last...

She said her throat was burning from the salt water....

The end.

I have no words...

he is just so stinkin cute!

and funny...

Here is Aiden at the beginning of the surf day...

jeans and a cowboy shirt...

I didn't know that he was so tricky ~ he actually got his swim trunks on under his jeans.

I'm still a little confused as to how he managed that!

The three boys! Tyler soooo wanted to go surfing with sister.

Hanapepe Bridge

2011-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

I think the sign pretty much says it all....

as we were driving one day, I saw this sign and told Tim to "Pull Over."

I'd read about the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge in a tour guide and thought, "Hey, Why not?"

Isaiah and Ashley were asleep in the car...Tyler said, "uh...no. I'll stay here with sister." So...

I drug Tim and Aiden out to the bridge with me.

Up they go...

Aiden checking to see if I'm still following them...

Signs like this always make me wonder at the intelligence of our society.

Then I took a close look at the bridge...

and wondered about my intelligence.

About 1/3 to 1/2 of the way across I started to hyperventilate.

I could feel the bridge swinging.

Yes, I know it is a swinging bridge, but it was not doing going things to my stomache or my lungs!

I yelled to Tim, "Hey! Stop! I can't go all the way across ~ I'm full of FEAR! I don't like the motion."

His comment, "Thank goodness. I've been sick ever since I stepped on here. I'm doing this for you!"

Awww....he does love me!

If only I had remembered this verse while I was on that bridge....

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

(what can a swinging bridge do to me?)

While Daddy Goes Grocery Shopping...

2011-05-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

The way we roll...

Since Mommy does the cooking while we are on vacation...

Daddy had to go to the grocery store!

Isaiah is walking with Daddy! I love when he holds hands!

OK - so the entire brood was walking Daddy out..

because Mommy was going to take all the kids on a picture hunt walk.

(You know...when you are looking at the scenery, but you don't want a picture of the ocean so you add your kids?)

Of course I seldom get all 4 kids together...

Here is my group!

Love the water spraying up! There were little tidal/spray pools of water on the lava rocks..very fun!

Ashley and Isaiah were inseparable on this excursion.

I found it interesting that there was plant life among all the lava.

My 4 kids exploring...

Sister got tired of waiting for Isaiah to hurry so she just carried him.

Directing the music in his mind...

Mommy...the model...

or...not...

OK - first ~ glance at the picture...

Now, go back and really look at the picture.

What do you see?

Do you see the face of my 17 year old daughter on the body of one of my 3 year old twins?

Kinda weird huh?

I'm tricky that way!

Here is Aiden...

... and Ashley...

...and Tyler and Isaiah...

Remember ~ you're suppose to be looking at the scenery...

not the kid trying to smile, but mad at his mom because he is tired of taking pictures and doesn't want to smile anymore.

More...

Rock Climber Roth

She made it!

The kiddos and I...

Do you see that little cave to the left of Isaiah?

It is TINY...between Tyler and Isaiah..

Do you see it?

Aiden kept trying to get in it. We wouldn't let him because Ashley and I neither one would fit.

Boy was he mad!

I so appreciate the way God has blessed my life!

Nehemiah 9:5
..."Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. " "Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise.

Saturday Night Yoga

2011-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

One of our resort people gave me a child yoga video for the kids to watch....

with grumpy people below me complaining about how noisy my kids walked I thought the yoga would be soothing...

It didn't work...

the yoga video had the kids jumping like kangaroos,

flying like airplanes,

running in place,

acting like an elephant...

it was not soothing nor was it quiet! I just new it was going to be a long week!

But hey! I discovered that two of my kids really enjoy yoga!

Awesome.

This was the sleeping arrangement for the boys...

pull out sofa bed with a couch shoved next to it.

They LOVED it!

We traveled with Tigger and the Thomas blankie...

I'm not sure life would continue if they were missing those elements.

Friday...Another Day in Paradise...

2011-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

Since we had spent a restless night in our rental car...

we decided that Friday was going to be a day of laziness and relaxation.

(If that is possible with three active boys!)

Off to the pool!

Aiden refused to wear anything other than his long sleeve cowboy shirt, jeans, and work boots...

you have to pick your battles...this is not one worth fighting.

Look at the grin and dimples!

This kid was LOVING the water!

Isaiah...although he was in the water...he wasn't loving it like Tyler.

That's my man!

I love him!

Mom and Sister playing with the boys...

Here Ashley and I are wrestling...the water was a bit chilly...I'm not sure who started the wrestling, but neither of us really wanted to get wet yet.

Poor Aiden...he still didn't want to change, and he didn't want Mom taking his picture!

Tyler calls this "Surfing"

Finally! Peer pressure wore him down...or his desire to actually get into the water and play!

Isaiah was done! He came, he swam, he wanted to sleep!

This is how we vacation...

piled together on the sofa...

watching tv!

Our First Day in Hawaii...Oh the surprise that awaited us!

2011-05-10T22:05:00.000-07:00

After we landed (on the golf course), switched planes, landed again, found the rental car place, found our hotel, and went grocery shopping....we got down to the business of settling in!

(The golf course story...all I have to say is this..."You know you live in AZ when your 4 year old says, Oh no! We are landing in a golf course! What is that pilot thinking?"...Yep, he saw the pristine green grass and automatically figured it must be a golf course!)

Here Isaiah (still wearing his headphones attached to nothing!) and Tyler found their bed, and the cable television.

(We don't have cable in our house...24 hour cartoons are cool!)

Want to know what we bought at the grocery store?

Our version of Hawaiian food...because we didn't really know what Hawaiian food was...yet.)

OK - so, we later found out that Maui style tater chips are actually made by Frito Lay and not on the islands...bummer, but the Kona Mud Pie ice cream...can I say I've never seen my daughter eat so much ice cream in her life! She went through 3 of these babies while we were there.

The Kona Hazelnut coffee...yum! Love it! I just found it at World Market...score!

The pineapple...not sure how many we ate while there...a lot. I've never had pineapple so sweet...and the mangos...yum!

Our first dinner in Hawaii!

Hang Loose!

After dinner, I went for a jog with Ashley...well, kinda. You see I struggle when jogging because my ADD kicks in BIG TIME! I jog...see something interesting...lose jogging focus and go check it out...jog...loose focus...you get the idea?

BUT....

While we were jogging...

Daddy and the boys made toe rings with the pipe cleaners.

Why can he have a pipe cleaner toe ring and I can't get another tattoo?

Then, since Mommy didn't let Ashley have a "True Workout", Daddy went jogging with Ashley...

and Mommy took the boys for a walk...

(Ashley never felt like she worked out because she couldn't find that spot where she would run so hard and fast that she lost her breath...guess that's what happens when you train at 3500 ft then go to sea level...)

Looking for fish in the Koi Pond at our resort...

"Cheese"

You can tell from their grins...

"We're smiling because my mom is making me stand in front of this stupid plant because she thinks it's pretty, but we see the pool and we really want to go over there..."

We found a lush field...look mom, no stickers!

Walking down the pathway towards the beach...

I was even able to find a small playground.

Back to the Koi Pond...

(I told you I am easily distracted!)

Aiden checking out the cool fish!

So our fun, interesting, kinda scary news...we were in Hawaii when the tsunami hit Japan and then headed to the Hawaiian islands...

At 11:00pm Thursday night we were told we needed to evacuate the resort. We packed our belongings, grabbed some peanut butter, jelly, bread, and bagels, snagged the pillows and blankets off the beds and loaded up our rental car. The six of us slept in the car in the parking lot of the community college. It was quite the adventure...

The morning after the tsunami warning...

it was 7:30am before the mayor gave the "all clear" notice.

You can see that Tyler slept well ~ he's not a pb&j kind of kid so he was VERY happy to be going back to our room. :)

This is a picture of the "Tunnel of Trees." It is a 1 mile stretch of trees that have grown over to reach each other. This particular picture does not do it justice...It was very cool to drive through it!

Off to begin a new day, and a new adventure.

Aloha!

The Flight

2011-03-23T00:04:00.000-07:00

We had an eight hour flight from Phoenix to Honolulu. I was more than a little nervous.
If you've ever actually met my children (well, the boys...) you would know why I was nervous.

Most of my friends actually started praying for safety, understanding, and guidance weeks prior to our departure! (I'm not kidding! Have you met the three boys?)

During the flight, we had the option of strapping car seats into the plane or checking them. We decided to strap them in. Our kids are usually good travelers, and they are in their car seats often so we felt familiarity would be to our benefit.

It seems we did the right thing. They jumped right into their seats and sat buckled up...the entire flight! (Well, ok ~ we did let them out to go potty!)

Tyler...always (well, mostly) ready with a smile!

Love those dimples!!

Since Tyler is 4 and over 40 pounds he is not allowed to have a car seat on the plane.

No biggie since he has a booster seat, but booster seats are not

FAA approved ~ we had to check his booster seat.

He was a little wiggle worm! I'm glad we had seats for the littles.

Aiden and Daddy

They are all smiles and ready to go!

Isaiah and Sister...

(yes, he adores his big sister)

Nope, she doesn't like to fly and she was nervous how she was going to get Isaiah to sleep during take off.

She always puts herself to sleep during take off and landing.

Don't ask me how she does it...

Ask about the Georgia trip...

Tyler and Mom

(Mom is looking a little tired and worn out...oh yeah...she only had 2 hours sleep.)

He read the safety magazine 3 times before take off...

asked specifically where the kid life vests were...

wanted to know where the rafts were...

when we would get to slide down the exit...

why there was water...

made me double check our safety belts...

had to move away from the window to watch the safety video (as if he hadn't already memorized the pamphlet!)...

tested the window shade...12 times before Mom made him stop!...

from there he moved onto the "in flight" magazines...

thank goodness they didn't have any catalogs.

That kid would have been a major shopper.

Note the blue mouth...

his headphones were not plugged into anything!

large sheet of stickers...check

crayons...check

paper...check

This kid was set...while sister slept!

Fortunately I was able to reach behind my seat to reach his stuff for him.

Aiden was not happy that Daddy slept...

I kept leaving my seat to get his toys...

candy...

water...

(see that water bottle on the left side? They are the best! I'll write more about them later.)

He actually got pretty good at waking his dad up. He would tickle him in the nose or ear with the pipe cleaners. :) LOL. That kid is a joker!

Aaaahhhhh......

Finally...

The Professor slept.

My kids are AWESOME travelers!

They each carried their own (age appropriately sized) backpack with toys and in flight supplies,

and

they had a pull along backpack with clothes, stuffed animals, and blankies.

(OK - I confess...they each some of my clothes in their pull alongs!)

Hawaii...Here We Come!

2011-03-22T00:03:00.000-07:00

For many years we have been talking about going to Hawaii when Ashley turned 16. A couple years ago, after the twins were born (and placed with us), and Tyler was living with us, Ashley said, "Guess we won't be going to Hawaii." Tim and I talked and decided...lets just do it! So, we saved and saved and guess what? We are in Hawaii!

How do you travel to Hawaii with ...
a husband who hates to fly...
a 16 year old who hates to fly...
three toddlers under the age of 4 who either haven't flown or don't remember flying...
and
a mom who always overpacks...

You read A LOT of online suggestions, and ask your experienced FaceBook friends!

I was prepared...
1. We were not checking bags. We don't fly often enough to get the free luggage rates, and $35/bag was not in our budget. That meant one carry on and one personal item each. (Oh crud! How am I going to do it? I started panicing in October!)
2. I researched Hawaii's car seat laws...good thing too since they are way more strict than AZ!
3. Got the ridiculously high rental rates to rent a car seat and decided to take our own! It meant three bulky items to carry, but we saved $300!
4. I packed each boy their own backpack with: stickers, paper, crayons, blanket, stuffed animal, pipe cleaners, chapstick, and a ridiculous amount of candy.

Feeling guilty for all the candy...

I mixed Craisins, cashews, and sunflower seeds with the m&ms.

Yep, pretty tricky of me.

Unfortunately, if you sat with Tim...he made you eat the nuts first!

He was less than thrilled with the giant candy bag!

Just a small sampling of what went into the candy bag...

The plane ride was 8 hours! I wanted my kids happy. I figured we could get them back on track when we got home.

Here is Aiden...

eating the donut that I got him for breakfast...

did I mention that I was going for "Mom of the Year"?

Tyler...my junk food aholic! Yep, he's all smiles!

We basically took up residency in one corner of our gate area.

6 people

12 bags

3 car seats

5:am - we really didn't care!

Isaiah waiting for the plane.

So glad I washed his shoes before we left...

sheesh! Some mom I am...

Did I mention the "Mom of the Year" thing?

Yep...

My Four Kids

with the Hawaiian Airlines Plane!

Yippee!

OK - so he's about done and we haven't taken off!

Always the awesome sister...

not sure if they were looking at pictures,

listening to music,

or reading texts.

My amazing 16 year old being patient with her little brother...

watching planes land and take off is super fun though!

The Boys...

waiting...

Off we go!....

Three of These Critters is Not Like the Others...

2011-02-25T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not entirely sure when this was taken...

I found it on my camera chip.

It must have been a "Sister" day.

I love that she takes photos for me when they are being goofy.

An Afternoon At the Park

2011-02-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes...

the kids just need to leave their own home.

Sometimes...

mom just needs to get away from the mundane.

Sometimes...

we find ourselves at the park!

Tyler...always ready with a smile..

Isaiah...

seldom unsure of what he is doing...

probably best I don't know!

Checking out the competition on the swings...

wondering whether or not it is worth the walk over there.

This little monster was climbing UP the slide ~

not sliding DOWN the slide the way it is intended.

(Do any other moms fight this battle?)

No matter how calmly you try to referee, parenting will eventually produce bizarre behavior, and I'm not talking about the kids. Their behavior is always normal.

Bill Cosby

Fun times with new found friends!

"Beat you Tyler!"

We have a monkey among us!

With so many kids at the park that day...

it meant there was a good chance that "Tag" would be on the agenda.

Here Isaiah is sneaking around the slide to see who was near him!

Love it!

I love that we have intermittent days of sunshine between the days of rain and snow.

18 Years of Wedded Bliss...

2011-02-23T05:00:00.000-08:00

Side note: This post was started and suppose to be in October of 2010...It is now February of 2011...

Yes, we are still married ~ no, the weekend was not last weekend...it was 4 months ago.

Remember I said I was trying to get caught up?

Colossians 3:14

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (NIV)

Don't we still look 20 and 23?

OK - maybe not.

We spent our anniversary weekend in Sedona. Tim let me have free reign over all the plans. I'm so lucky!

Friday night was dinner at Picazzo's Pizzaria. If you've never had pizza there...go try it! It is organic and gluten free (so I can eat there!), and I really like it there! Then back to the room for endless hours of TV! We don't have cable in our house. If you live in Camp Verde that translates into...no reception! We take full advantage of ignoring each other and having our own tvs (Tim in the living room ~ me in the bedroom. We had a 1 bedroom suite)! Not romantic...but a lot of fun. I ended up falling asleep early!

After sleeping in on Saturday morning, we made a quick trip to Safeway for bagels and fruit then we headed to a hike that I've been wanting to try. Devil's Bridge. It was an amazing hike. So much fun!

Back to the hotel for a quick swim while TIM MADE LUNCH FOR ME!!! Margheritta pizza. (Have you figured out what my favorite food is?) More cable tv watching...reading...napping...total relaxation!

Saturday night's dinner was at Dahl & DiLuca. Our concierge made the reservation for us. It was heavenly! We had a private booth with a curtain to keep us secluded from the rest of the restaurant, and they sprinkled rose petals on the table. Very sweet. The food was great. Tim is ready to go back again, but after exploring the restaurant after dinner, we decided that we want to sit "in the open" next time. The ambience is very open and friendly.

Sunday brought another hike (Bear Sign Trail)...this one was leisurely. Very leisurely....almost boring! Time spent with my honey is always nice though. (Yes, I was a bad girl...I broke our tradition of trying a new church each location we visit. Being in the beauty and splendor of God's glory both days though...I totally felt Him with us.)

Back to reality...and here's to another 18 years...

The Twins Start School...

2011-02-22T05:00:00.001-08:00

The first step of education is to have one's eyes opened and be turned from darkness to light. (Acts 26:18)

The day the twins turned three ~ they became eligible for the developmental preschool at our local elementary school.

We had been planning this for quite some time...

(of course any time you have Special Education children it seems as if that is all you do ~ go to meetings to plan!)

I had been talking to the boys about riding the bus with Tyler,

going into the classroom with other kids,

sharing,

being nice,

not missing mommy,

not crying,

and

not hitting.

I decided it would be easier for the boys to get on the bus and leave me versus me take them to school and leave them. Not sure if my psychology was correct, but...it seemed to work!

Here they are...all ready to jump on the bus!

Tyler was already on the bus (he's fast!), but he was watching for Aiden...

Up he goes!

By Mom!

Look at that smile!

(ok - so he was looking at Isaiah who had decided to stay on the porch...he wasn't so sure about leaving mom)

All is well...

He climbed right up there.

(sad thoughts pushed away!)

Bye Mommy!

Wuf you!

I love you to my little one!

Keep your love for one another at full strength, because love covers a multitude of sins.

~I Peter 4:8

Tyler and Aiden immediately grabbed a seat together.

This is typically Tyler's seat, but he was happy to have his brothers with him today.

He eagerly shared with Aiden.

Isaiah was looking a little unsure of himself so I decided I better take one last picture and get off the bus!

(This is a really cool seat...it has a harness seat belt built into it!)

The kids are only gone a total of 3 hours...

during those 3 hours of the first day...

I...

1. called Tim and told him I felt "weird". I just felt discombobulated.

2. Picked up my mom and took her to the grocery store.

3. We both did grocery shopping.

4. I hit Starbucks.

5. Ran a few more errands.

6. Took my mom home.

7. Called my friend Tammy and told her I felt "weird".

8. Hit Starbucks again.

9. Dropped off my mom.

10. Went back to Starbucks.

11. Filled up with fuel.

12. Went home, finally.

13. Unloaded groceries.

14. Made lunch.

15. Sat outside waiting for the boys to get home.

They were so excited!

The day went great!

Here they were all showing me their handstamps.

(That means they were good!)

Since it was their birthday...

they were given crowns, a pencil, and of course

the happy birthday song.

My three boys!

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the LORD!

(Psalms 113:9 Holy Bible ESV)

Devil's Bridge

2011-02-22T05:00:00.000-08:00

This last October, Tim and I spent the weekend in Sedona for our 18th wedding anniversary.

We love the location because it is close to home (which means less driving and more quality alone time), and it offers a variety of hikes for me to explore!

Saturday morning I chose "Devil's Bridge"

Yup...that's me!

This is the bridge from below. Isn't it absolutely amazing?

The truly amazing part is how it is being held up...

the rock formation on the right is simply a bunch of rocks piled together. It just doesn't seem sturdy...

and yet, we kept moving forward!

Here's Tim...exploring the crevices along the trail.

I love the red rock of Sedona.

You can see so much history!

Awww...aren't we cute?

Here we made it to the top of the Bridge.

Tim is on the far side simply "being still with God."

It was very awe inspiring...when at the top, I just wanted to sit and listen.

It was spiritual in the God sense, not the whole crystal cruncher sense.

Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." (Colossians 1:15-16)

Do you see the crevice to the left of Tim?

What exactly is there to hold this huge slab of rock up and together?

Here we are below again...on our way out.

OK - here is the bridge...now look above it to that weird looking rock...I made Tim find a way to get there...

I'll tell you about it another time...

It was fun...until I slid off the edge!

The Twins Are 3!

2011-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

So, yeah...I'm really behind in my blogging...I'm going to make an effort to get caught up before Spring Break 2011. The posts may not be in order, but they will be here! Onward! To the Birthday Bash!

It's so hard to believe that the twins are 3! We are so very blessed to have been given such a gift. We are thankful each and every day for their arrival into our home.

This year, we decided to take them to a movie for their birthday. We were fortunate enough to have an appropriate movie showing in the theatre. :)

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...that's why you are here, right?

The Movie!

Aiden and Tyler in front of the BIG poster of their very first theater experience.

Isaiah, of course, had to choose a different poster...

can you believe that he spilt water all over himself before we went in? only my kids...

Here we are...well, we minus me...I was behind the camera doing a lovely job of focusing on the metal railing!

Yep, we separated the boys...it just seemed safer that way!

The theater did fill up...we just like those front row seats so we arrive early.

Aiden is sure enjoying his first Icee...

Here is Tyler...he was very glad that his brothers had a movie party!

He loves movies.

He loves popcorn.

He loves Icees.

and

He loves being with the family!

Yep, Isaiah is trying very hard to spill, again!

Aiden decided that he was all settled in and ready for the movie to start...

He looked at Tim and said, "Daddy, push play please!"

It was hilarious!

Trying to show mommy three fingers...still working on that one.

Sister, being 16, didn't get a special popcorn box so she tried to share with Aiden.

He wasn't too keen on the whole sharing thing...

Don't worry, we bought Ashley popcorn, plus...she ended up with candy!

OK - so the group photo of all my kids didn't work out.

They were so DONE!

The Party!

Aiden admiring his new train...

Unwrapping...

Chick Hicks!

Getting ready to sing and blow out the candles...

Make a wish!

The three boys with Grammy and Gramps!

No party is ever complete without a tickle session with Gramps...

first Isaiah...

then Aiden...

and the grand finale...

Grandpa and Grandma Betty and Gage all called and sang happy birthday to the boys.

They love that part!

Happy Birthday Boys!

You are loved.

The Great Christmas Angel Wrap Up!

2010-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

What happens when you get two women together who love the Lord and want to serve women?

You get the co-chairs for Parkside Women's Ministry!

This is Julie and I...

no, our outfits weren't planned, but weirdly/kismetly/ironically we do this matchy thing a lot.

It is almost scary.

Then, Julie and I, over a cup of coffee (with double shots) and a salad (because we try to be healthy ~ despite our caffeine addiction) we created/invited/bribed other women to join our team.

The other team members are:

Amy!

She represents the younger ladies in our church.

She is so hip and trendy...

and..

Cecy!

Cecy represents our middle~older generation!

We like to call ourselves the Mission Possible ladies! If you want to see a funny video that we made for our "Wrap Up" teaser...check out our Facebook page: Parkside, Women's Ministry. It is so funny!

For December's Mission...

Our church has a Christmas Angel tree each year. The idea is that we find families in our church and community that are in need. Our church congregation chooses an "ornament" off the tree and purchases gifts for our friends.

Every year we have such an amazing response from the congregation to donate gifts. This year was no different. So, as the Women's Ministry team ~ we decided to spend a morning wrapping the gifts to ease the burden from our staff.

A group of women showed up on a Saturday morning to wrap the gifts. We brought a brunch dish to share and a roll of wrapping paper ~ and wrapped away! It was so much fun getting to know the ladies in a social atmosphere. Thank you ladies! Your kindness and generosity are appreciated.

Carol is a wrapping queen! She got right to work...no chit chat for her!

Carol also volunteered at the Samaritan's Purse "Operation Christmas Box" this last November. She and her husband went to California to the distribution center. She said it was an amazing experience. We love and appreciate all the she and her husband do for our church! They are true servants of the Lord!

This is Nancy! She brought bright conversation to the morning. She and her husband also went to the Samaritan's Purse - distribution center. Nancy said it is something that everyone should take the time to go and do. She said it was a trip worth while.

Thanks for your help, Nancy!

Julie and Betsy!

This was the first time I had ever met Betsy. She is so much fun. It is always nice meeting new people and making new friends. Thank you Betsy for taking time out of your day to come help us...even if you still had your own presents waiting at home to wrap!

This is Ms. Ellen. Shhh....she wasn't really here this morning... or was she?

Ellen is the wife of our Shepherding Pastor...she was suppose to be home cooking and cleaning because the staff Christmas party was to be at her house that evening.

Here are the few of us that made it through the morning from beginning to end...

Wrapping sure made us tired...

Julie and I are headed to Thanks a Latte...

Anyone else in need of an esspresso shot..or three?

The Pre & Post Effects of Christmas and It's Lovely Parties...Part 1...Yes, as with many things in our life ~ we have multiples...

2010-12-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo! Mr. Rooter of Yavapai and Coconino Counties has been opened one full year!

This year, we celebrated Christmas dinner early with our Mr. Rooter family at our home. I cooked a big meal for all of our employees and their families. It was so much fun to meet wives and kids. It is especially fun for the older generation (hee hee ~ that would be my mom! ha ha Just had to get that jab in...) to spend time with the younger generation. That's right...the grandkid generation. Oh how she loves that role. She spent time with the kids reading to them and just being a grandma.

Grandma Goof talking with Levi and Aiden.

Nate ~ He sure knows how to let his hair down (or up as it seems).

Here are a few pictures from our Mr. Rooter Family Christmas Celebration...

Nate and Denise

Yep, they've been in the blog before so they are family in many ways!
Love you guys! You are awesome!
Starbucks anytime soon Denise? Call me! :)

The Kid Table

L - R: Isaiah, Chandler, Marco, Ashley, Cameren, Shelby
Aiden is slightly visible on the left behind Chandler

Larry, our Field and Customer Service Manager

Telling a very funny story...he had to use major gestures...

This is Aiden's reaction to Larry's story.
We know Aiden, we feel your pain...

Tim, the "Boss Man"

Nate and Levi.
I love when daddy's take time to read to their kiddos.

Boss Man does dishes!
He knows not to allow food scraps to go down the drain, and he always scrapes greasy residue into the garbage can.

Dan and Rose
Aren't they simply stunning?
We are so happy to have you working with us Dan.

Larry and Janet
aka: Pop and Grandma Goof
...other regulars to the blog...

Levi and Tyler telling stories and singing songs.
Tyler sang "Jingle Bells" for Levi.
I totally love when kids really PLAY together. Fun times.

Larry and Tim hanging in the kitchen...
disregard all the remodel mess...
it is the Roth Mystery House ~ a home in constant remodel!

Tim and Levi have a special bond. They both love each other!
Here they are reading together. I'm not sure who was reading to whom...

We are so very thankful for all of our Mr. Rooter employees and their families. Thanks to all of the wives and kids who were so very patient the last month or so with the crazy hours. Here is to a new year full of prosperity and good tidings!

Merry Christmas 2010!

2010-12-11T20:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas Friends!

Tyler ~ in front of the kid decorated Christmas tree.

My 4 kids plus my nephews, Chandler and Cameren
December 2010

I'm so glad you stopped by today. Can I just say...Martha I am not! Not the Biblical Martha and not Martha Stewart. Sheesh! It is Dec. 11 and I JUST finished up the photo Christmas card. It should go out in the mail next week. Hopefully you will get it by New Year's!

I saw a Martha Stewart show about creating and making your own photo Christmas cards. Martha Stewart I am not. They are uploaded, printed, stuffed into envelopes, and soon to be in the mail. Enough said.

This year has absolutely flown by! Can I get an "I hear ya sistah!"? Anyone?

The beauty of a blog Christmas letter is that it is totally environmentally friendly, you can review our year in more depth (for those of you who only check the blog once a year), and I don't have to figure out which pictures are the most important because I'm limited to 1 page. The bad thing about a blog Christmas letter...I am not limited to space! You did remember to sit down with a hot cup of coffee, right? If you follow the blog...you know how we like our coffee!

Tim and I, 18 married years

Let's start with Tim and I...we are still married.

Tim is the school board President, working for his parents at Roper Plumbing, and also working at our Mr. Rooter Plumbing business. He hasn't had much time for hobbies lately due to work, but we are all doing well. He tries to find time with the boys and Ashley each week. He attends as many of Ashley's games as he is able, and loves wrestling with the boys. I am still staying home, but I work nights in the office doing the bookwork/accounting/paying bills stuff. I've recently discovered Zumba and think it is the coolest thing since Ben & Jerry's New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream. I'm still taking pictures every chance I get, running around with the boys, and trying to stay sane...one hair color at a time...but you can follow my chaos in the blog.

Ashley, 16

Ashley, 2010 Colonel's Daughter

Ashley is a junior in high school. She turned 16 this past May and hit the road driving...literally! It is actually very nice that she can drive herself to school ~ especially since we send her to school in Cottonwood! She went to Baylor for soccer camp this summer. She is pretty interested in their programs of study...we will see where this takes her... She coached a U12 boys soccer team for AYSO, and she is also on the varsity soccer team at the high school. She studies harder than anyone I know. She is also taking a Spanish class at a community college not too far from her high school. It makes for a couple late nights, but she is so dedicated to her academics. I'm amazed and please daily with her. She is such an incredible young lady. She, along with her club members, was also nominated (and won) the Governer's Award for Excellence in Youth for her work with the Interact Club where she is President. She also won the Colonel's Daughter contest this year.

Part of the Colonel's Daughter pageant is to ride a reigning pattern.

Brother and Sister
circa 2010

Tyler, 4

Tyler turned 4 in April. He started preschool at the elementary school this year. He LOVES it! He rides the bus to school and thinks he is the coolest! He is still wearing glasses, but I think he actually likes them. He has an amazing vocabulary...he often makes me laugh with his choice of adjectives. He's also a huge photo hound! He loves to have his picture taken! I often hear, "Mom, take a picture of me doing this." or "Mom, take picture of me eating." or whatever. He just loves being in a picture. He enjoys watching movies and playing on the swings. He and the twins are often found in the throws of an all out karate/punching/kicking/yelling match. (Usually it is friendly...) We also entered him into the Little Guy contest at Ft Verde Days. He didn't win, but he got to dress up, have his picture taken, talk to strangers, and ride in the parade. He thought it was pretty cool!

Tyler and his hole to ????

Aiden ~ digging in the rock pile

Aiden & Dad working at the computer

Aiden....is 2. I might just stop there! Wow. That kid is hilarious! He is most definitely our gentle giant. He goes around giving kisses and hugs to everyone, but if someone is messing with his sister or his brothers... look out! He has a temper, he has weight, and he isn't afraid to use it! He adores Kung Fu Panda, Toy Story 3, and anything Buzz Lightyear. His speech is coming along. He has a large vocabulary, but it seems I'm the only one who can understand him. (I'm not sure how to take that...I would like to think that I'm still an adult, but I feel as if I'm sometimes only 3...)

Mom and Isaiah

Isaiah is a 2 year old with an attitude. Not the cute attitude that some kids have...the attitude that a 15 year old has. Boy this kid is giving me a run for my sanity! His cuteness is often his only saving grace. He is also delayed with speech, but he doesn't seem to know that! In fact, I heard Ashley ask him the other night, "Do you ever stop talking?" He replied, "No," and kept on playing in her room...driving her crazy! She loves it though! (She really does...so long it is him... the others...NO!) He is my eternal soccer player, but he also likes karate. He is often found having intense karate fights with the air, bushes, stuffed animals, his brothers, the pillow... Oh how I adore him.

Isaiah (left) and Aiden digging for gold.
I can only hope they find enough to pay for college!

Please take time to view the blog. We have had some funny moments. I'm hoping that I will have more posting time in the coming months...the boys were accepted into a developmental preschool for 2 1/2 hours 4 days a week starting in the middle of January. Look for more Random Roth Ramblings!

May you all have a blessed Christmas!

Much Love!

The Roth Six

Tim, Robyn, Ashley, Tyler, Aiden, & Isaiah

(Robyn also Facebooks...There are infrequent posts there too...)

Ashley on parade day...being escorted by the Calvary

Tyler ~ Our very own "Tom Sawyer"

Tyler and Ashley, 2010

The Rain is Bittersweet....

2010-10-07T00:44:00.000-07:00

The Rain is Bittersweet...

A short commentary...

by a mom of a girl and 3 boys (but the girl wasn't home)

I Love the Rain!

I love the way it sounds,

I love the way it looks,

I love the way it makes my skin feel,

I love the way it turns my grass green,

I love the way it feeds my plants.

I don't necessarily love the way it makes my hair curl...

The rain is bittersweet...

I love that my boys aren't afraid to play in the rain...

or the mud!

I'm not so sure I like the fact that they found a sink hole in the pasture...

The rain is bittersweet!

Jessey does not like the rain.

She does not like the way it sounds.

She does not like the way it looks.

She does not like the way it feels.

Her hair is naturally straight...lucky dog!

I love that the "Mud Blog Monster" is not afraid to sludge through my house leaving a trail that looks like a giant slug slimed his way in the back door, through the living room, down the hallway, into two different bedrooms....and finally resting in a bathroom (already occupied by another sludge like creature that chose the crawl through a window...covered in mud...yes, the walls also appear as if a giant slug slithered up them!)

I love that the Mud Blog Monster has mud up to eyeballs, literally. It has already started to dry. I don't think he will cover his face quite so completely next time.

The rain is bittersweet!

I love that he is willing to roll in the mud and get dirty!

The rain is bittersweet!

Guess I'll need to get out my tiara...again!

Rain + Dirt + Boys = Dirty Muddy House

The rain is bittersweet!

Life Interrupted...

2010-09-29T13:34:00.000-07:00

Please excuse my absence.

My son told me, "Mom, this house is a mess. We need to clean it."

Lucky for him...I heard the "we".

We will be back shortly...

after we...

sweep

drink coffee

mop

drink coffee

dust

eat snack

(grapes, tomatoe slices, & strawberries)

disinfect bathrooms

drink coffee

change sheets

drink coffee

make beds

whine about cleaning (me ~ not Tyler)

wash windows

drink coffee

pick up dirty laundry

create a random blog post and waste precious cleaning time

clean kitchen

* wonder where Aiden and Isaiah are hiding

(found them out in the pasture with the "nice cows")

I thank the Lord that He was with them...they aren't always "nice cows"...

(then I found them out in the other pasture with the chickens)

take out trash

wonder why the heck I fall into my child's neat freak desire

He is bummed. He has to work ALL morning. Wednesday's are usually for a picnic in the park or story time at the library. Bummer...for all of us. We are here cleaning. I hate cleaning.

Yes, it is a tiara. Yes, they are calling me Princess Mommy. Of course I told them they had to call me that!

Titus 2 tells us to be busy at home. I hate it when God talks to me through my children. It just doubles the guilt. Clearly I wasn't listening to Him so he spoke through my little 4 year old boy.

Yes Lord. I hear you. I will submit and obey.

Oh yeah...about the blog post and wasteing time...

and coffee drinking...

Coffee!

2010-09-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Coffee ~ Coffee ~ Coffee!

I have ~~created~~ inspired monsters...

huh?.....

First with my daughter...with whom I can simply whisper, "Coffee", and she smiles and says, "Yeah!" Then we find a way to feed our habit. She was too young to corrupt ~ yet, it was all so natural.

No coffee here...give us time...we will find some...

(We used to send her to Phx for a goalie camp, and one night when I picked her up...
I had Starbucks for her! The coach was not happy, but we were!)

Look! Coffee makes us talented... or something...

Coffee!

(Thank you Lord for this child.

Can you stand that grin?)

Now... my poor sweet baby boy. He stumbled into the kitchen the other morning, put his little plastic cup up near the coffee pot and said, "coppee", in his tender, sleepy voice. I'm so sorry, baby! Of course I will get you some morning coffee...NOT! But I did laugh...and gave him a sip of mine. :)

Alas, he has become a coffee theif. Do not leave your coffee unattended when visiting us.

Consider this your warning.

Seeing as how "Daddy" has him in both of these photos...

I've decided not to take all of the blame!

Did I mention that I don't make my own coffee?

Yes, I'm well aware of how to say "Princess".

In two languages even! You know, just in case...

If Tim (he fixes the BEST coffee!) doesn't get the coffee ready for me...

I have been known to load up the entire crew and find my way to the freeway for coffee at Starbucks.

(yes, in my jammies...I'm lucky to find my way through town and to the freeway before my morning cafeine)

I love coffee...chocolate...coffee...good conversation...chocolate coffee...

Why isn't my mom drinking coffee?

Tim in the Roper office enjoying a cup of coffee.

Hmmm...maybe it's not just me...maybe coffee is just our "Family Tradition."

The View From Here

2010-09-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Arizona...

where it is not just a desert.

This is the view from our house.

One of the things that I love about Arizona is the monsoon season.

Here in Northern/Central Arizona it hits July 4th weekend and lasts until the middle of August.

I have to say...it is the BEST time of year.

The sky stays stormy...

the clouds move in and move around...

This is the western view from the backyard.

I love the lavendars and greys in the clouds.

(In the heat of the summer...the sunsets are orange and red. It makes the sky appear as if it is on fire!)

Straight shot from the backyard. There are little pockets in the cliffs. It is such a nice place to wander around.

Look at the sky though...

simply amazing.

(Can you tell we live in a valley? We are surrounded by mountains.)

(Tim and I do a little traveling. I've never seen a more beautiful sunset than an Arizona sunset.)

I took a watercolor class at the college a couple of years ago.

I would try unsuccessfully to capture the beauty of the sky.

Then my teacher let me in on a little secret.

She said, "You can't recreate what God made. Only He can create such beauty."

Ashley

2010-09-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

Strength.

Dignity.

Grace.

Saved.

Pure.

Lovely.

Teenager.

God's Girl First.

Mine Second.

2 Timothy 2:22-25 (The Message)

Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God's servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey.

Isaiah...Enough Said.

2010-09-16T06:00:00.000-07:00

Isaiah is my baby.

He is the youngest (by 30 seconds).

(Of course I allow my children to stand on the furniture and threaten their brothers with brooms. If you notice...dad is sitting on the couch laughing as well.)

He is the stereotypical family "baby" except technically, he came before Tyler (who is almost 2 years older than him.)

Yeah, we pretty much goofed up the whole birth order with adoption. (Tyler came last...well, I think he is last...never know what God has in store for us...)

(Do you see the scar over his left eye? He has had stitches in that same spot TWO times! I think between he and Aiden I don't need to take them to the ER for stitches...I'm fairly well versed on the knotting technique...about the pain med stuff...)

Isaiah is obstinate. He has a mean streak (yes, I'm working on it!).

He has a speech delay.

He has motor coordination delays.

He has "fashion boy" hair.

(except here...he must have just had a hair cut...sister does all the hair cutting in this house...except mine. No one touches my hair except Missy ~ my totally awesome hair guru)

He has been voted, "Most Likely to be a Fashion Model" by the Roth kids.

There are some days that he looks like Ashton Kutcher.

(he grabs his phone and starts texting when he gets mad or in trouble...I think he is trying to contact sister...she is his favorite.)

Most days he's just my goofy child.

Praise and Prayer Please

2010-09-15T22:03:00.000-07:00

Just a Random Quick Update...

On Friday, we (the little boys and I) will be traveling to the Phoenix Children's Hospital to meet with the nurse practitioner of a developmental pediatrician. We've been waiting for two months for the referral to go through. If finally did! Thank you God! The nurse practitioner will determine if Isaiah is in need of a developmental pediatrician or not.

Please pray for wisdom of the nurse practitioner to give us answers to Isaiah's disabilities. We are hoping to get his hip issues dealt with and praying for some answers to his cognitive delays, and vestibular issues.
I will have all of the boys with me...please pray for me to have compassion and understanding. I will need both to deal with all three boys in a waiting room and an office. (Have you heard that my boys are not quiet?)

Thank you!

Note to my husband...

2010-09-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Mr. Roth,
You are at a school board meeting doing really important school board stuff. (I know not of what is on the agenda ~ ever ~ due to an agreement that we would not speak of school board stuff to each other. Thank you, and amen.) I just FaceBooked (is that really a legitimate verb?) a note about ~~needing~~ ~~wanting~~ desiring a good cup of coffee. In my comment/note/facebook I mentioned that you make the best coffee. I just want the world to know that I think you are the best husband in the universe (and that is big)! You greet me with a smile (most of the time), you give me hugs and kisses, you provide for our family, you take an active role as our spiritual leader, and you make great coffee (did I mention that part?).

I think you are groovy!

Beyond commenting on your amazing coffee making skills...I mentioned that I'm a princess. In true princess manner...I would like to be addressed as such. Not in a condensending tone, but in a reverent tone. So tonight, when you come home and I'm asleep in bed (for once not FaceBooking, blogging, working, or doing whatever with my photos), you may kiss me goodnight, and say, "Goodnight my darling, princess wife. I love you." (But whisper it, ok. Because I will be sleeping.)

With all my adoring affection and love,

~~Mrs. Roth~~ Princess Robyn
AKA: Big Momma
AKA: Mommy
AKA: Aunt Robyn
AKA: Robyn

PS: Will you please load the coffee beans and set the timer on the machine so that I can wake up to the aroma of coffee brewing?

Please? It will save you $5 and the cost of fuel to take myself and the kids to town and another $5 in junk food (aka donuts) that the kids will bribe me into purchasing because I'm so in love with coffee and it makes me happy and I want all my children to love me....and be happy!

i love and adore you!

(Note to self:

Weird hotel room ~ camera on a timer shot...

needs major Photoshop!)

Justin & Friends

2010-09-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

Do you like music?

I do. I'm a huge fan of music, in fact...

I love music.

I love all types of music. (it's the whole child of the 70's, teenager in the 80's, college and whatnot in the 90's and I'm still going strong!)

My favorite music though...is music performed live and raw. With just voices and limited instruments. (must go back to my church camp days...just voices and a guitar)

In August, Radio Shine, a Christian radio station, had a benefit auction. I think auctions are awesome. They feed my ADD soul like few things do. Auctions offer things to buy, at a quick rate of speed, and the winner is often a surprise. (Can you tell I'm a big eBay fan. I was actually banned from eBay by Tim because I was winning things that I forgot I bid on!) This year, Radio Shine was offering a dessert and coffee concert by singer/songwriter/worship director Justin Unger. The concert was to be in his home! I was all over that! I had the day marked on my calendar. This event was not going to go unnoticed! (In fact, it was such a big deal in our home that Tim called from work to ask if I had started my bidding!) There were four ~ two person tickets available. My competitive soul was in high drive. I was going to win! At all cost! And win I did! I ended up with two of the tickets which meant that I had to decide who I was taking with me. Would it be me and the girls? or Tim and I with another couple? or Would it be Tim and I with Ashley and a friend. Oh, the dilemma of decisions.

Here we all are...standing in Justin Unger's home!

(By the way, all the money earned through the auction went back into Radio Shine. The concert, the gifts, timeshares, and other items up for auction were all donated. Thank you donors for supplying such great gifts to such a worthy cause!)

I gave Ashley first dibs, because I think she's kinda awesome. Since she is currently coaching a U11 boys soccer team, she opted out (she has practice on Thursday nights, and Justin's concert was Thursday) and she is also a great student and she would need time to study before school on Friday. (No ditching for my girl ~ she is so unlike her momma! Thank you God for giving her great wisdom!)

See what happens when she has a late night? This was Saturday...can you imagine if it had been Friday? She might have fallen out of her chair in class! That might have been embarrassing!)

So...I deferred to Tim (please, someone mark that on the calendar for me!) and we asked our friends, Nate and Denise. What is somewhat ironic about all this is Denise and I have been friends for a few years. Nate and Tim have been friends for awhile as well, but we've NEVER done anything together as a couple. (How weird is that?)

We started our evening at Olive Garden. Denise ordered the portabella raviolis. They looked amazing. I would have loved to have tasted it, but it has a roasted red pepper cream sauce (can you say, "YUM!") that looked to die for, but I don't eat dairy. Bummer for me!

No, we did not coordinate. Actually, the guys did all the planning. Poor Denise didn't even know where she was going or that dinner was involved. She was simply told, "We are going to some kind of concert with Tim and Robyn." She is such a good sport. I'm too uptight to have plans left like that. I have to know everything!

We finally made it to Justin's house and we were greeted by his friends, Brad and Kirsten. They directed us to the correct house and the evening was simply wonderful!

We were introduced to both Justin and his lovely wife Fallon. He had an awesome display of desserts and coffee for us to consume. It was a little surreal thinking that I'm in the home of a famous singer!

Throughout the evening, Justin would share tidbits of information with us on where he gets his inspiration (the Bible), some of his background, how he met his wife, stories from traveling, how their dog at one time had a hungering for the Word, and just about anything that popped into his head. He gave us the opportunity to ask him questions as well. It was a truly fun evening.

Me ~ being me ~ took my camera. (Have you ever known me to be without it?) Well, I was ~~slightly~~ very uncomfortable not knowing how others would take the invasion of a camera (I've found that most people don't like it when there is a camera around.) So, my pictures while at Justin and Fallon's house are limited. I would have loved to have shown you the tasty desserts that they served, the Bible sitting on a shelf, more pictures of us just talking with him, but...I refrained. (I also didn't want them to think that I was totally stalking them!) Here is a brief recap of our evening...

This is Brad. He is one of Justin's good friends. Brad leads the high school and college group worship at the Heights Church. I first saw him when we were visiting the Heights. He was leading worship that night since Justin was in Nashville. Can I say that he is awesome? HE IS!

The girls seem to agree. :)

Fallon graced us with her lovely voice. She sings on a couple of the cds.

Grace.

Dignity.

Modesty.

Generous.

Lovely.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

"Brad, you're so dreamy! All the girls think you're a cutie! Will you please take a picture with me?"

OK - so I didn't really say that. I was actually telling him a story about when I took one of Ashley's friends with us to church and during the greeting, she got to shake his hand. It was the "Hand Shaking of the Evening." Oh to be young again....or not.

Of course I took a picture with him. Duh. I have to gloat to Ashley somehow.

I feel so old...

and short.

I think she printed the picture, ripped my side off, and has the other in her locker, on her bathroom mirror, made multiple reprints and is currently selling them on eBay...or maybe she just said, "Wow Mom, You really are a freak." Something like that...

This is where Justin was laying down the law...in no uncertain terms was I to take his babysitter...Brad.

Yep, it's true. Brad is an amazing babysitter. I'm still working on getting Brad's number from Justin, but with another baby on the way...he might be needing Brad more than I do.

The evening ended with gifts...from Justin, Fallon, and Radio Shine.

The "boys" couldn't wait to see what they got! It was so funny to see these two men, who normally could care less about gifts, get excited about what was in their "goody" bag.

Thank you for the awesome gifts Justin!

Silly boys...

The night was made absolutely perfect when I got home and found this...

The twins sound asleep, snuggled in bed with sister...

Tyler snoozing with Mater and Friends...

on top of his bedspread instead of under it...because it's easier to make his bed that way!

Ellie keeping Aiden's bed warm...you know, just in case he wakes up in the middle of the night and wants to sleep alone. Yeah right. That won't happen!

(Yes, the twins do sleep with their beds that close to each other.)

By the way...Justin's new cd..."Some Good Advice" is out...or will be within a day or so...GO BUY IT!

It's awesome!

Cameren

2010-09-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

This kid is amazing.

He is my brother's son.

Cameren is a wrestler, and if you are able to capture a smile on his face when he knows you are taking a picture...well, then you are fortunate.

Cameren spent a lot of time at my house this past summer. I'm so very thankful for him. He was a tremendous help with my little boys. He would play endlessly with them, read to them, teach them how to wrestle, how to play soccer, how to hit a ball off a tee, and just be an amazing "big brother."

I'm fortunate to have him as my nephew.

I love you Cameren!