Tuesday, February 22, 2011

I had another birthday

The annual "Me with the kids on my birthday" shot.  I'm so confused as to why we're not in the middle of this picture.  But at least there isn't any camera strap in the picture this year! :)

My birthday was on a Sunday this year.  Between Facebook ,church and my family on skype, I had well wishes all day long.  One sweet friend even stopped by with chocolate cake and candles.  Darren stayed away from any extra meetings, made me a yummy dinner and took a picture of me that I don't hate.  Yep, I had another birthday...and I'm fine with it.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Christmas Recap

Hey better late than never.  Christmas was so fun for me this year.  While I have never been busier, I managed to give myself a deadline for pictures, sorta stick to it, and really enjoy the week before and after Christmas.  We didn't do our big party this year...I was just too tired and the season already felt rushed and smooshed with a million things to get done.  We did host a dinner for the members of the bishopric and their wives and laughed our guts out the whole night - they all are so much fun!  I do have to say though, that I missed our holiday party and will have to bring it back next year. 
This is how most of December passed - with Spencer at the tree - pulling something... anything... EVERYTHING off of it!  It nearly drove me bonkers and I eventually gave up fixing the tree's decorations.
Christmas morning...how I love these few moments!  They might be my favorite part of the whole thing!  The kids are usually still asleep.  Darren and I have been debating for at least half an hour whether or not we should go wake them up and finally the excitement gets to be too much for me and I head across to the other side of the house and kiss sleepy little kids until they are awake enough to know what waking up means that day.  One quick picture and then into the living room we all go!
Everyone goes first to their Christmas boxes.  These are full of the stuff that most people put into stockings.  We don't do Santa - don't judge me.  Besides, these boxes hold way more than a sock.  My kids come out on top in the end. ;P

I could seriously eat this kid for breakfast!  He's so yummy to me!  Yes, I do realize he's sporting my mother's haircut.
Everytime we entered a store in December, Elijah started begging for the Hiro train.  I really thought this kid would be over his Thomas the Train fascination by now...not so.
This Christmas was one of the most fun I have ever had.  The budget was set, everything was paid for in cash, and I knew there were some seriously fun things under that Christmas tree.  Things that the kids were absolutely going to love. I'm not the mom who encourages a list of what the kids want for Christmas, but this year listened early and picked up things I knew they were going to go crazy over.  My one regret is not having the video camera running when the kids each opened the controllers for the Wii that Grandma bought.  It was pure pandemonium and so much fun!  Hope your Christmas was a happy one too.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

A few of the kids

At the Chandler parade of lights (Dec 4th)
Making a gingerbread house with Grandma Stewart (Dec 12th)
With mom at the Mesa Temple to see the Christmas lights & nativity (Dec 18th)
The kids in their new Christmas PJs.
This picture must be taken each year.  The dress was a surprise for Lexi under the tree.  She looked so beautiful in it today so I made them all let me take their picture together again.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Parker's always writing

I often find in his room random bits of paper with the beginnings of a story he's writing.  But today's random find was a little different.  It looks like we watch a bit too much Biggest Loser at our house. 


20 cups of water
Parker's workout
30 pushups
56 jumpy jaks
run mile on tred mell
bung Eligha 100 times (seriously this was on there and then scratched out!)
10 cups of mealk
1 cup of sald
weig in

This next one is a story I found not too long ago.  

The 3 Knits
Parker Stewart
November 3, 2010

 Once a pon a time ther was theer knits.  One hansom and charming, One handsom to but not realy charming, and one uglly his amer was tented had a woden sild and tented soword.  One day King roupet said a anowsment to the three knits "in tow weeks my doter known as prises rillen, will have her tweny fith birthday and will mery the one how deveets a dragen, all the knits will come on her birthday to the batllfilld in tow weeks.  all the knites, servents, sqires, queen Emly, and the prises herself.  Then he walked a way.  the knites thot about this.  Then they stared traning.  The first knite was traned by a dorf.  The sekent knite was traned by a royll srvent and the thrid knite was traned by killing a dragon.
  
 

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Friday, December 3, 2010

I love everything about this picture


But my favorite is Elijah's choir boy hand pose.  Too funny considering this little boys personality.  This was taken at Thanksgiving while I was getting ready for the impossible...a perfect extended family photo.  I needed someone in the picture while I set my white balance (still not quite right as the snow on the ground has a bluish tint) and so these two hopped in the frame for me.  These two are best buddies.  Elijah changed our life so much when he was born.  He changed how we were as people, as parents.  He wrapped his Daddy very tightly around his little finger.  On most occasions, Darren is still there.  This one is getting printed out...remember when they all did?  Kinda miss those days.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Ummm....

Clearly, I have issues.  I mean a year ago I went through these and threw away at least 20 bottles.  I'm embarrassed to tell you how many there are.  It's my little thing...that I do for myself...apparently...quite often. 

Sunday, November 7, 2010

This boy has my heart

While I was in Mexico last week I just kept going back to this picture on my camera that I snapped of Spencer the night before I left.  It's what got me through my five days without any kids or husband around.  This and the snorkeling, Chichen Itza, great food, two fabulous sisters, card making, market shopping, the beaches of Cancun and Cozumel.  Somehow...I muddled through.  But seriously, I can't tell you how many times I grabbed my camera and found this picture on it.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Halloween 2010

I missed Halloween this year.  I was in Cozumel visiting Daniel and Rebecca.  I left instructions with Darren to get some pictures of the holiday though and he came through like a champ.  
 


Harry Potter, Thomas the Train, our personal chef, and Superman!
Apparently here in Arizona it's still so hot that Superman wears knickers instead of his usual tights.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Darren with our four munchkins on his 33rd birthday.  How we love this man!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Elijah is in Preschool

I really went back and forth for a long time about whether or not to put Lijah in preschool.  In the end I decided to do it.  He really loves it!  Of course who wouldn't?  I've got great friends who remember cameras so luckily I have some pictures of him on his first day at Busy Bees Preschool with Teressa Robinson as his teacher.
First day of school - August 10, 2010
Carpooling buddies - Elijah, Kate, Kruz, & Jex
Field trip #1 - Local airport.  Elijah kept trying to tell the guy giving the tour all about his Uncle Brad who has an airplane.
Sitting inside the jet with Jex and Kruz
Field trip #2 Gilbert Fire Station - Both the AM and PM classes with their teacher. 9/30/10
That hat was HEAVY!
Elijah is such an 'arm around' little guy.  He loves to do it.  These little girls just let him too. 
Elijah being silly as usual.  While the airport and planes were cool they didn't compare to the awesome factor of the fire station.  This was a fun field trip even for me!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Late Summer Camping

I have so much to catch up on.  I know some grandmas who are waiting for pictures of what we have been doing around here so I've made up my mind to get a few things up here.  
 It's no secret that I love camping.  Fortunately for me, so do my children.  We arranged to go with another family who are so fun to be around.  The Holbrooks are up for fun anytime and although we only got to stay one night, it was great to let the kids loose and just sit back and relax.  Their dog Lucy was practically mauled to death by my kids.


Renae was such a trooper.  This is where my baby wanted to be the entire time.

Two happy campers.

I love this face.

My two sweethearts posing with their "guns".  "Take our picture Momma!"

His poor little eye.  This boy is sooo allergic to mosquito bites.  His forehead was huge!

This is right after I told Parker that yes, he could bring the stick home with us (where it currently resides).  I'm a nice mom like that. :)
You can't tell from the pictures, but Alexia was there too.  I'm not sure where she was hiding while the camera was out.  Probably off on an errand for her momma.  That girl is the best helper I have.  It was such a fun time going with friends.  We will definitely be doing it again.  Thanks Holbrook family for coming along for the fun!

Monday, September 27, 2010

A love letter

Dear Paper Towels,


It's true what they say - absence really does make the heart grow fonder.  You weren't in my budget for the past two months and I'm telling you...I've missed you.  Life here just wasn't the same without you.  I realize I took you for granted.  I thought that a rag or newspaper could take your place. But I was wrong, and I've changed.  I'm making you a priority.  I never want us to be apart again. 

Your's Affectionately,
Heidi

Sunday, September 19, 2010

First day of School

For most of you reading, this may not seem like it's coming too late. But my kids have been in school since the end of July so I'm playing catch up.Alexia is in the 4th grade now with Mr. Cederstrom as a teacher.Parker is in 2nd grade with Ms. Mortensen - who was Alexia's 2nd grade teacher as well.I was a good mom who walked her kids to school that day. It was nice outside with clouds and a slight breeze. So after dropping the bigs at school, the littles and I headed to the park, where we lasted about 15 minutes. Spencer really liked the swing (his first time at the park) and it was funny watching him watch Elijah.
"Momma...why you always got that big black thing poking out from your face?" I'm pretty sure that's what he was thinking in that moment.Oh...there's the smile. It's never very far from those chubby cheekies.And this boy...well I was queen for the day because I took him to the park. That's always nice.
Good gravy. Why does Elijah always look like an orphan? I swear, between my letting him dress himself, all the bumps, scrapes, and bruises that come from being a boy who plays hard, and needing a haircut, most days this boy looks homeless. Who is his mother? Poor baby has to wear his big brother's old clothes. He's a bean pole compared to what Parker was at his age and everything seems to hang off the boy.
See what I mean? If I tugged just right those shorts would be at his ankles. And lets take a minute and not check out the little boy behind him with the gel in his hair and matching, well fitted clothing on. Darn little over achiever. :)