Peyton turns 3

Peyton had his 3rd birthday on the 29th.  I woke up that morning at surprised myself by feeling really sad about it.  Since I think Peyton is our last kid, it really hit me that there are no more babies in my house.  You would think I would be happy since the last couple of years have been really difficult with the boys.  Oh well life goes on.

I made invitations online for Peyton's birthday.  They should have arrived according to their estimation by the 20th at the latest.  On the 25th I had still not received them.  I emailed the company.  They immediately responded back with "that's weird, we will check with the mail system."Next day I asked them what they found out.  I received no reply.  I couldn't get them by phone or email.  I finally took the picture they sent me to approve and printed it out.  So the invitations said proof on them.  But I covered it with a sticker.  The day before Peyton's party the mailman brought the invitations to my door.

 In case you couldn't tell by the invitations it was a Thomas the train birthday party. During  the entire party my mom, Carlene and I were pulling the kids away from the cake and train set. My mom said the party would have been just as successful if all they did was come over to eat cake.

 We played pin the 1 on Thomas.  The kids liked seeing Grandma try to play.

 We played Thomas the cake walk

 Eating cupcakes after everyone had a chance to win. BTW, cupcakes with 3 and 4 year old kids is not the best idea.

 We had a pinata..  Waylon really gave it his all!  Poor pinata

 you can't go wrong with a pinata.

 Each of the kids got to take a turn wearing the Thomas the train costume

 finally, it was time for cake.

 Peyton loved opening presents.

 This was the mess I was left with after the kids went home.

Later that night we went to Hogi Yogi with all of the grandparents to have frozen yogurt.  Peyton had a very good birthday.

mom and daughter weekend

So it was the annual Mom and Daughter girls trip with Carlene and Hallie.  We went miniature golfing, did lots and lots of shopping, and went to fun places to eat.

 Addie and Hallie totally didn't get the competitive part of mini golf.  They just usually placed their ball in the hole and ran off to the next one.  At least they had fun.

 We took advantage of Saturday nights kids eat free.

 See how grateful my child is to get free food.

 we bought bracelets to support a good cause.

 The rats left Hallie and Addie presents.  Good thing we didn't see the rats

 Addie woke up with her hair looking like this

 We enjoyed yummy food and root beer floats at Red Robin

Addie wanted me to write that we had so much fun that the adults were too worn out and Addie had to drive us home.

aren't we a funny people

I love facebook and I hate facebook.  It is so good for keeping in touch with friends, new and old.  It is how I find out everything that is going on in my family, neighborhood etc... 
I personally love when people use it to post pics of their kids and the cute things they say ( I better love it because I am sure guilty of it)  I love it because it is nice and shows me how much they love them. Makes me feel that I can relate to them, we have something in common.

I love when people use it to send out reminders of events that are coming up!  I can always use the extra reminder.

I love it when people just post funny things that put a smile on my face.

I love it in times of tragedy, grief and sadness how people reach out with their kind words to show love and support.
I love that anybody can ask any sort of question and someone has the answer. For example: last year I wanted to surprise my mom with a CD of Chester the chubby elf, a record we used to dance and sing to at Christmas time.  I couldn't find it anywhere on the Internet, so I threw it out there on facebook and within minutes, good friend Shirley had the answer of where to find it.  That was so awesome!

I love all the dinner ideas, and fun activities for the family I have discovered by reading friends posts.


But I am amazed at how sometimes facebook turns into a place where people state things that they would never be so bold to say in person. 
I hate it when people post mean things because I can't turn away from it.  I feel that it is my obligation to stick up for whomever I think is getting the bad rap.  I realize it rarely does me or anyone else any good.  It usually just makes the problem bigger and messier with more people getting involved... but I can't help myself.

I hate it when people post something on facebook but then act mad that People know about it.  I want to scream "duh you just posted it for 400+ people and you are going to get mad that people are talking about it. What part of facebook did you not understand?"
I hate it when facebook fights turn into grammar/spelling lessons instead of sticking to the topic in debate.

I hate it when people claim they are not drama, but everything they post on facebook is drama.  If   a drama mama is who you are, wear your title proudly.
I hate that I am posting about facebook on my blog and that I am on facebook and have a blog. (But I love it!)  Truly truly a love/hate relationship with facebook.  kind of like my addiction to diet coke only there is nothing I hate about diet coke...

So I am going to sign off with my facebook advice:  If it isn't something you would ever say to someones face, don't say it on facebook. 

things keeping us busy

The beginning of October my mom, sisters and I went on a girls trip to St. George.

 We stayed in a very nice house owned by Carlene's inlaws.  We all got our own rooms.  Hooray! because I didn't want to hear anyone snoring or talking into the wee hours.

 We went to see a play at Tuacahn.  It was raining and so it was canceled.

 Angie, Kristine and my mom were so upset...

 so very disappointed.

 So went back to the house and ran up and down the stairs and then went to the movie "you again" in our pajamas.

 We all had a good time.

In much sadder family news, 5 year old niece, Lily died of a severe reaction to E-Coli bacteria. (She is the one in pink pants)  She was a very sweet girl.  We will miss her.

 In very happy family news, we were able to go watch Foed and Kelly legally adopt Chad and then become an eternal family.

Addie, chad and Kelton inside the court building after finalization.

We went to the pumpkin patch with Grandma Carla.  The kids had loads of fun.

Addie jumping of the hay.

Trey also went to a different pumpkin patch with his preschool class. 

Addie had a tea party with a couple of friends from school.  That is all for now!

Because I have to throw a post out like this occasionally

What does it mean to be Christ like?  Or even just a good person?

People of my same faith often get a bad rap.  It makes me mad when we are misrepresented and accused of things that are not true.. However, sometimes I think some members bring it on themselves with their 'holier than thou" attitudes.
So I ask you, what does it mean to be a good christian?  Here is what I came up with... this is my own opinion and I am not preaching. I also am not suggesting that I am perfect in the areas I will mention.  Because that would be very FALSE!!!

I think being  a good christian means we are always striving to do our best.  I also think it means we admit when we make mistakes.  We correct our wrongs and we are honest with ourselves and others.  A friend of mine once told me that I am brutally honest about myself.   I took that as a compliment.  I don't want to be one that portrays somebody that I am not.  I want people to see  me as a good person for the good that I do, not for the good that I preach that I do.

I think being a good christian means we don't judge others.  One lesson I have learned in the last couple of years is unless you are the one in the situation you really don't know what it is like or what the whole story is.. give people credit that they are doing their best and making the best decisions for them.

Ask people if there is some way you can help.. don't offer unsolicited advice.

Be tolerant of others.  This doesn't mean condoning behaviors against your personal belief system, but it does mean allowing them to make their own choices.  We don't have a right to tell others what they are doing wrong, unless they ask us for our opinions.

stick up for others.. I have learned that sometimes this doesn't get the results that I had hoped for.. in fact, sometimes, I feel that I have been punished for sticking up for people.  But I still think it is the right thing to do.

teach through example.  I think this means be yourself, live the way you know is best.  but don't tell people how great you are.. If you are truly great, others will see it and want to be like you.

Serve others.  Even if it is inconvenient or uncomfortable

Love one another.. Jesus said love everyone!

fun pictures

 My friend asked if he could take my kids pictures for practice with his new camera.  My kids had a blast posing for the camera.  Well, some kids liked it more than others  you will probably be able to tell who by the amount of pictures each kid is in.