MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Christmas day is fast approaching and I can't believe it! This Christmas season has been wonderful and I have enjoyed every moment of it. One of the things that really makes Christmas fun is seeing the boys so excited. It can't seem to get here quick enough for them. I love their enthusiasm for all the things we do. Carson keeps teasing me that I am training them well. I figure the kids will only be young once so live it up! One of my favorite things we do every year is light a Christmas candle and read a scripture about the Savior and a Christmas story. They seem to be getting the idea that Christmas isn't all about Santa Clause. Carter keeps saying to me, "It's better to give than to receive, right mom?." So I think he is getting the idea. The boys also chose presents for each other and they helped wrap them. Right after Matt was done he goes up to Carter and tells him what it is! Luckily Matt isn't the most clear speaker so Carter didn't really hear what he said. They definitely make me laugh.

The year has gone by fast and like most of you it has been very eventful. I know my lack of blogging doesn't really show that. So in a nutshell here are some of the big things that happened to us this year: Carson started working as a Pest Control technician, we layed new flooring in our house, Matt turned 3, Carter started preschool, Matt started playgroup, Carter and Matt started their first year of soccer, Carson coached Carter's team, Carson got a new job as a Financial Analyst for Wal-Mart, Carter turned 5, Matt is finally potty trained and Carson hit the wonderful milestone of 30! As I reflect on the past year it is clear to see the many blessings in our lives. The most important being our Savior and Family and Friends.

I hope all of you are doing well and like the song says, "...may your days be merry and bright."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fall Happenings

It feels like Winter is upon us in Arkansas. So it felt like if I was going to make a post of some of the fun things we did this Fall it was now or never. Memories have definetly been made and I would feel ungrateful if I didn't record a few. Now that I am caught up I hope I won't have to make a catch up post for the Winter as well! Enjoy!


One major milestone we exprienced was Carter started preschool. He is loving it and so am I!


Both boys also began their fist year of soccer. Carson was able to Coach Carter's team this year. It was fun to watch all of my boys playing.


Carter did really well at soccer. He was agressive and great at throw in's. He only cried twice. Once when his teammate tackled him and the other when the game was over and he wanted to keep playing.


Matt had a lot of fun in soccer. He loved his coach and he loved to stop playing when he saw and airplane fly overhead! Oh the joys of wathcing a 3 year old play!


Mom came for a visit and we went to the War Eagle Craft Fair. In a word it was "AWESOME."


Carson rode his bike 50 miles in the Tour de Cure. Next year he wants to train for 100 miles!


Another thing we did when my mom came for a visit was take the boys to a pumpkin patch. They had fun picking their own pumpkins. Matt chose a white one and Carter a big orange one.


For Halloween this year we threw a party out at the farm. Carter was a scuba diver. His first choice was the ocean!

Matthew wanted to be a train conductor driving Toby the tram. Toby is one of the many train friends of Thomas.


Carson decided to be Zoro and I was Lucille Ball. Fake eyelashes are sure hard to wear!


One thing I love about Fall is all the leaves changing colors. I just wish Winter didn't have to follow. It spoils my excitement for the season.


Carter celebrated his birthday this month. His big suprise was that he got a goldfish. He exlaimed. "But Mom you don't like pets!" I replied by saying, "That's right I don't but I love you so much you can have a goldfish."


Carter is into Ocean life right now so his cupcakes fit the bill. Thanks Sam's Club!


Grandma Nolene and Grandpa Jerry came to visit. We had a lot of fun with them in Arkansas and Branson.


Carson came up for a day and we enjoyed some family time in Silver Dollar City. Now we are ready for the Holiday season!

Summertime Fun!

We have had a lot of fun this summer and we are only just beginning! Here is a snapshot of some of the things we have been up to.

Blueberry picking- We were able to pick a gallon of blueberries this year thanks to Carter's help. We enjoyed the smoothies and the muffins. Next year hopefully Matt will be more of a help and we will even have more!



Beaver Lake- The boys enjoyed the lake and were in there for hours. And that was without a boat.



Friend's houses- We always enjoy spending time with friends. This year our friend Adriane bought a water slide and the kids love it! I enjoy it too, the boys can play and I can sit on the porch gabbing away.



Northwest Arkansas Naturals- We enjoyed watching our local AA ball team play. It is a great family atmosphere. There is a playground for the kids and other activities to do while watching the game.




Ozark Botanical Gardens- We have been here many times this summer. This past week went to a concert where you brought a picnic dinner. There are "Little Sprouts" classes we go to were they do activities and crafts. And we just go with friends too!

Matt Had A Birthday Shout Hurray!

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Happy Mother's Day!

Yesterday we celebrated Mother's Day! And of course being the "Mom" I really enjoyed the day. The thing that I enjoyed most about the day wasn't the flowers and the cards but were the talks that were given in church. As I pondered over what was spoken of in the talks I couldn't help but think about the righteous women that have touched my life. From my own Mom, to Grandma's, Aunts, Cousins, Friends and Church Leaders I have had wonderful examples of the divinity of Womanhood. I feel very blessed to have witnessed the examples of love, nurturing, patience, service, creativity, faith, and strength to name a few. So I would like to thank all the women I know for being an example of a "Righteous Woman". To all women I hope you had a Happy Mother's Day! One of my favorite quotes that I go to when I need some encouragement is from Sis. Hinckley. Here is what she said:

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenck's lawn.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."


Enjoy your life and really live!!

Fun in the Valley of the Sun

About a week and a half ago I made my annual tax season trip to Arizona. The boys and I had so much fun. We enjoyed all the family time, the parks, the museums, Tyler's baseball games, the attention(I am speaking for the boys not me) and of course the weather. In fact I think I timed it perfectly. When I left Arkansas it was miserable gloomy weather, then I went to AZ and enjoyed perfect weather and by the time I made it back to AR spring had arrived and the weather was perfect. The following are some highlights of our trip:


Of course the trip wouldn't be complete without a day to the train park with cousins. It was great fun and quite funny- lots of kids and fewer adults.


My camera went crazy and I had zero pics of the train park. So thank you to Aunt Carma for sending me some.


We went to the Zoo with Grandma Nolene and Grandpa Jerry. The boys had a blast!


They have a new Komodo Dragon exhibit that was really neat. Carter was worried that is was going to breathe fire at him!





We enjoyed a day fishing at Riverview park with the family. The boys had fun except Carter wanted to catch a fish so Grandpa said he would take him again and in the meantime they went to Bass Pro.


One day Mom, Payton and me took the boys to the Arizona Natural History museum. They really enjoyed it. Here they are panning for gold.


I locked Payton up in the jail for being sassy! not really, she was just the only one that stood in the jail long enough to take a picture of. Here is an interesting fact I learned there: There is still a law in Arizona that prohibits riding a horse into a saloon in Prescott.


Carter was fascinated with the dinosaurs but was a little weary to get close to them.


I know Matt is little but he is down right tiny compared to the footprint of a Dinosaur!



Mom took Payton and I to the comedy club Jesterz and to dinner. It was lots of fun and great girl time!






Grandpa took the boys fishing again. We saw a fish but didn't catch one. So we decided to go to Pete's Fish and Chips took make up for it. Yum!




I think I succeeded in wearing the boys out if they can't even make it all the way on the couch to fall asleep.

Happy Easter!

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Volcano, Volcano, Volcano Erupting!

For many years now Carter has been all about trains but now his interest seems to be shifting to volcanoes. So volcano exploration is all we seem to do now. When we go to the library Matt still gets his train books but Carter insists on Volcano books. Which is great, however non-fiction volcano books are more made for 6th graders and not 4 year olds! Nevertheless Carter still wants me to read it to him. We recently checked out a Volcano movie and it brought back memories of high school geography. Boring! But not for Carter, he found it fascinating and was soon spouting out facts about Volcanoes. Such as, "In 1984 Mt. St. Helens erupted and lava exploded out of it!" Carter also loves playing "Duck, duck, goose" but now he said he wants to play a new game called, "Volcano, volcano, volcano erupting!" I am really enjoying this stage with him. It is so fun to see him take in the world around him.

A couple of weeks ago we had playgroup at our house. So can you guess what the Letter of the day was? That's right "V" for volcanoes. We played games and did activities that corresponded with the letter "V". But the kids favorite activity was when they made their own volcano and had it erupt. Oh the joys that vinegar and baking soda can bring to a child's life! For snack time they also enjoyed a volcano cake and vegetables. The kids has so much fun and the best part was that is was easy. Now I am just waiting to see what Carters next interest will be. And in the meantime I am just enjoying this part of his childhood!