Summer has Offically Begun!
Although it was only about 75-80 degrees with a breeze and the water was freezing the kids had a ball! Hudson was content to watch from the "shore" but would get in every know and again and Poor Jonah was shivering so bad he was shaking! Emma hung out on the tramp to keep warm. Logan and Payton hardly noticed it was cold they thought it was a riot and want to go back every day. 
As you can see in the pictures, Logan gave it 2 thumbs up!
There is something about flowers...they brighten the world and make people happy (women in particular), not really sure why exactly but it's true just the same. 
So after years killing many innocent flowers, I went totally artificial. 
Last saturday a couple of my sisters neighbors threw a shower in honor of the upcoming new arrivals. They are adopting 2 little boys and the SAME time from Ethiopia and are going to need all the help they can get! It was no suprise to me to see the outpouring of generosity from her friends and neighbors~we all can't help but love her and her family! They had a great turnout and received several donations for the humanitarian project (for the orphanage etc)
As you can see from the pictures theses are going to be 2 of the best dressed kids on the block! Not only are they coming to live in a loving home and family but a whole community is celebrating their arrival!
What do you get when you crack nearly a dozen eggs, milk a loaf of bread? A messy fun night of learning and laughter. The boys helped me make french toast for our "breakfast" dinner, it took a bit longer but it was much more fun!
I let them crack the eggs and stir the milk and dip the bread in the slimy mixture~they were totally engrosssssed in the process. They had me cracking up, they thought it was so cool.
No surprise to me they both ate ALL there dinner and have wanted to help every night since then with dinner. They even are washing there own dishes! What have I done?!!!
Dear sisters and mom,
I was thinking that before our lives take on a new version of crazy we should have a girls night! If an overnighter isn't possible we could still have some fun together.
I think we should make this happen before any of the following events occur: Shelly leaves for Ethiopia and goes from 3 kids under 7 to 5 kids under 7 (heaven help her!), my handsome (and well-to-do) prince charming comes along, Chars goes on a granola only eating health kick, Mom's money train rolls in, and Krystal Skye has a chance to break any more hearts we should have a girls trip!
Do you guys remember how much fun we have had on the last two? Here are some pics to refresh your memory...
Time is of the essence so we must act quickly!
Who's with me?
It's now April fools...and Gracie's birthday! Wow my little darling niece is 2~ time has sure flown by. 
These are the top 5 reasons she melts my heart:
1-She is ALWAYS runs and hugs me the moment she sees me
2- She loves Logan and Payton and says their names so cute
3- Has a spark about her, and a little bit of spice- So sweet and happy 90% of the time
4-She is ALWAYS happy to see me
5- Gives big hugs and says goodbye when SHE is ready to go
We are so lucky to have this little miracle girl in our family....It was a rough road to get her here (mostly for Shelly) but man is she worth it or whAT?!!!!
Love you little Gracie Mae!
Tonight the boys and I got our egg game on and finally decorated our Easter eggs. This year we went with the STAR WARS theme to go along with their recent obsession! They were so funny and cute. I helped very little which was a little more messy but more fun for them! The dipped, re-dipped, double dipped, triple dipped and dip again! Lots of color changes on these eggs. It was a good opportunity to teach them about the color wheel and what colors can make other colors~ Anyhow our eggs took on a more ArTsY feel-I was so proud of my little artists!
The family egg hunt is tomorrow~so stayed tuned for more details and pictures of out Egg-stravaganza!
I have been reading Sheri Dews latest book. If you have a chance to read it, take it. There are moments when I feel overwhelmed and worn out because there is so much to do; but the reality is that I am so blessed!
"Challenges that tax our faith are usually opportunities to stretch and strengthen our faith by finding out if we really believe the Lord will help us."
Some of my challenges pale in comparison to others, but they are still challenges. I have been given so much...When much is given much is required. I'm glad the Lord loves me enough to help me grow and learn. This book has been so uplifting and makes me want to be a better person and member of the church.
I also bought the new CD from Kenneth Cope. He is a LDS artist and has done a lot of EFY music and things of that nature. I love his Music it's so powerful for me. Church music is always so uplifting.
Life is good people. Good books, Good music, Good family, Good friends, Good job~what more can a girl ask for?
They say you can tell a lot about a woman by the state of her purse! I fully agree and I have accepted Charlyn's challenge of purse tag! Spilling the contents in my purse:
*mini clutch: for when I don't want to carry my "big" purse:
*visa check card
*Drivers licence
*loose change - ummm $6.29 in loose change!! I'm rich!
*Minty chap stick
*a pair of fabulous earrings
Cute post it pad, (given to me by my char so I can randomly give my number to handsome strangers-thanks Char.)
Picture of my boys
A pack of Trident gum
2 Pens, one that works and one that doesn't
3 pars of earrings
2 necklaces
The stack of bills I need to pay
My cell phone
2 sets of car keys
Girl stuff
3 lipgloss's (pink, clear sparkle, and nude)
Mascara
Nail file
Safety pins
Superglue
Tissues
Ibuprofen
A protien bar
Receipts
and on the bottom I found crumbs and other random bits!
I pass the challenge along to all of you brave enough to disclose the contents of you purse. :)
Do any of you remember who this is? Ice Ice Baby came over the airwaves!! Talk about a
FLASHBACK, I new most of the words and sang right along just like the good 'ol days!!! For some reason that song is nostalgic for me. The boys got into it too and before we knew it we were all singin' ICE ICE BABY ...TOO COLD TOO COLD ...Good times! I hope this brought back memories for some you! "word to ya mutha" Thanks for the memories Vanilla!
Hudson has a new STAR WARS obsession. So he requested I make him a Darth cake for his birthday. It's amazing how happy you can make a kid with a little frosting!
The boys and I bought him a lightsaber, it was red just like Darth's! That was a total hit he was so excited and cute! He even made "mean" faces to show me...
The kids had so much fun playing and celebrating at the party. Another successful gathering for our clan.
* if you want to see more pics from the party scroll down to the slide show.
In honor of my recent "classifieds!"...
One sister for sale!
One Sister for sale!
One crying and spying young sister for sale!
I'm really not kidding,
So who'll start the bidding?
Do I hear a dollar?
A nickel?
A penny?
Oh, isn't there, isn't there, isn't there any
One kid who will buy this old sister for sale,
This crying and spying young sister for sale?
~Shel Silverstien
**This is dedicated to Char
My darling nephew Hudson is turning 4! I can hardly believe it! He is the sweetest little boy ever. I can count on one hand how many times I have seen him misbehave~NO JOKE.
One of his favorite things is to come to the salon to get his hair cut with his dad. I get his his rootbeer and his sits patiently waiting for his turn. Just looking so cute and acting so sweet.
He's a charmer with those darling dimples! He'll have the ladies all swooning one of these days. Anything he asks I give. That is just a fact. My cell phone-sure. My lipgloss-sure. My purse-sure. My coke-sure. Candy before dinner-sure. Anything you want it yours.
I love him! love him! love him! He's a JOY to have in my life!
YoUr AuNT MeL LoVeS
YoUR GuTS liTtle
BuDdY!!!!!!!
