Ahhh The Joys Of Motherhood

In an earlier post about Riley's birthday party, I wrote the saying "Ahhh the joys of motherhood!" Have you ever noticed that whenever that saying is used, it's in the negative? Why is that? I mean sure I totally understand why...screaming kids, changing diapers, kids with the pukies..."Ahhh the joys of motherhood". But why don't we ever use it in the positive. I mean there are so many things to be thankful for about motherhood.For instance: The best part of my day is when I get to go in to Paityn's room in the morning to get her up for her bottle. She is always so happy to see me. So anxious to begin another day. So excited to be here. She is a wonderful example to me and I love how much she loves me. I love hearing laughter coming from downstairs. Then walking down the stairs and turning the corner to see my girls dancing to Hannah Montana. I love how embarrassed they get when they realize I've been watching them. But then how excited they get to show me their new dance routine. I love when Trevor is tired and he begs me to tickle him. Not just anyone can tickle him, just his mom. I love when he is so tired and I ask him if he's tired and he says no but his eyes are shutting as he says it. He's so eager to stay awake because he doesn't want to miss a thing. Kids are great examples of how to enjoy life. How each day should be. We should wake up with enthusiasm and thankfulness. We've been given another day. Another day to laugh, to grow, to love, to smile, to dance, to sing. So from now on, I'm going to use the saying in the positive. I am thankful for my kiddos and the love they have for me. I am thankful for their hard times and rough days because that is when they need me most. I'm thankful for their inhibitions or lack thereof because they do what they want to do. I'm thankful to be a mother and I hope to always remember how blessed I am to have my children. And for that I say "Ahhh the JOYS of motherhood"!!!

Rodeo

Last week our ward Elder's Quorum had a rodeo party. It was a lot of fun. The kids got to ride the horses and pet the goat and sheep and play with the cows. And then we had a BBQ. We had a blast and the kids want to go back and ride the horses again.

Cami up on the horse
Riley going for a ride
Trev back in the saddle
Me and Trev by the cows
All the kiddos...Mckall, Carly, Cami, Alyssa, Riley and Trev (held by Chad)

A Party Fit For A Hula Princess

This year Riley wanted to have a hawaiian birthday party. So that is exactly what she got. We had a tiki toss game, pin the flower on the hula girl game (thanks Kelly), bubble gum blowing contest, hula hoop contest, and we made candy leis. The kids had a blast. I had fun decorating and coming up with ideas for the party. I love planning parties for my kiddos. It's so much fun to see their excitement. Ahh the joys of motherhood. Here are some pictures of the festivities

All of the party guests with their candy leis
Getting ready for cake

Spanking machine

The decor

Getting ready

I decorated the deck for Riley's birthday because her birthday was the day before the last day of school and it happened to be field day that day too. So when she came walking around to go to the park she got a big surprise. I think she liked it.

Posing by her signs

VIVA MEXICOOOOOOO!!!

The whole crew went to Mexico again this year. 26 people. 14 adults. 12 kids. 2 pools. One beach. TONS OF FUN!!! We had such a fun time. We pretty much just stayed by the pool and the beach the whole time. We attended some fiestas and ate til we were past capacity. We went through two bottles of sunblock. Had a couple of sunburning incidents.We had one incident with a jellyfish. Penny got stung and Andrew came to the rescue. We danced and sang. Built sand castles. Got our hair braided. Only had two sick kids while there. Got massages and played golf. All in all it was a FANTASTIC trip. We loved it and had so much fun. Thanks Papa and Grandma and Mom and Dad for the fun time. We can't wait to do it again. You guys are the BEST. We love you tons!!! The whole crew at the FIESTA

Riley and Cami on the airplane to Mexico

Ready for the beach

Paityn sacked out on the lounge...pre- sunburn

Cami getting her hair braided. Riley got her's done too but I didn't get a picture of it

Fiesta night. This was the party we went to. We love this one. It's all you can eat and all you can drink...no alcohol of course...there is a ton of entertainment including a man who does the balloon hats. So fun!!!

The first day out Paityn got FRIED...and I mean crispy. So we made a tent out of towels the remaining days we were there. It worked well. She did AWESOME

Me and Trev at the party with our hats

Chad and Riley with their hats

Cami in the pool being a mermaid

Riley and Kaelynn being mermaids

Me and Trev swimming

Me and Trev and Pait being silly

Drinking it all up

Riley with her goggles

Cute Cami

Paityn being pretty with the flowers

Me and Riley on the lounge

My sweet three

All of us on the beach at sunset

Isn't this a cute shot

9 is FINE!!

Today Chad and I celebrate our nine year wedding anniversary. Time has flown by so fast. We've had our share of rough patches sure, but the good times far outweigh those. These pictures bring back good memories and they make me laugh to see how young we look. I have changed a ton but Chad...not so much. That's a good thing though right?

Happy anniversary Chad!! Thank you for the past nine years. We've made it through some very hard times and I know that only makes us stronger together. We're still holding tight together and I know we always will. I'm so blessed to have you as my husband and the father of our children. Thank you for everything. Here's to many more anniversaries, many more good times and many more good memories. I love you!!

8 Is Great!!!

Our baby girl is turning 8!!! Wow. I can't believe it. She hasn't changed much physically over the years but she is definately maturing into a sweet young lady. She has always been quiet but this year she has come out of her shell a bit and we LOVE it. She is so much more outgoing and loves to be goofy and can now laugh at herself. She is such a sweetheart and we are so excited to see what the next 8 years bring. We love you tons Ri-Pie.

Love: Mom and Dad

8 Things We Love About You...

1:You are a great friend
2: You make us laugh when you're goofy
3: You love to dance
4: You love everyone
5: You are smart
6: You are a great example to everyone around you
7: You love you learn and develop talents
8: You are becoming everything we hoped for

One

Two
Three
Four
Five

Six

Seven

Now...Eight!!!