Cake Pop Party!

With today being a holiday, my family decided we needed to do something fun.  So we all got together to have an absolutely amazing dinner prepared by my parents (Barbeque chicken, salmon, shrimp, salad, rolls...it was to die for and took them 4 hours of prep and cooking!) and then followed that up with Aunt Sara teaching the kids (and adults) how to make cake pops!

It is definitely days like today that I am so grateful to be near family again!  I took almost 100 pictures, but don't worry...I didn't put them all on here.  It's just a warning that there are a lot of pictures involved.

Before the festivities began, me and Aspen (my sister) tried getting a picture of our little babies together.  Aspen's baby was perfectly happy and content just laying on the floor.  Molly had been asleep, so when I laid her down she started doing the newborn scrunchy faces and grunting and curling up in a ball...but it's still fun to see them together.

Jasec and Molly - Molly is 2 weeks older, and you can tell the difference that 2 weeks makes!

Jasec lounging at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Seriously the cutest boy!

And then the fun BEGAN!  Sara was SO patient with all the "helpers" she had.  They started by making the cake so it could cool completely before finishing the cake pops.

All the baking girls.  Note Sara's awesome apron.  I believe it's for one of the baby granddaughters, but it looked so great on her as well. :)

Brielle announced "Safety First!" and had us all laughing

After the cake was done, Aunt Sara gave Addison the beaters...she wouldn't touch them at first

Then Grandma showed her she could use her fingers

Cake Pop dipping - and eating - after dinner

 

 

 

 

 

Even Grandpa got in on the dipping action

Hard at work

Finished Products

Molly woke up and was happy after the party was done

Molly's sweet hair, I LOVE IT!

After things were winding down, Claire got hurt.  Uncle Ben is a big softy...just don't tell him you know that...and was letting her sit with him.  Addison doesn't like to share Ben, so when she saw this she had to squeeze in as well.  Wherever Ben is, there is sure to be at LEAST one grandchild.

 The night ended with some sister love.

Claire adores Molly

Brielle LOVES Molly as well

It was such a GREAT day.  

We hope to repeat these fun things a lot this year!

They FINALLY came!

Let it be known that today is quite possibly one of the BEST days EVER!

Since I am not in the physical shape to go shout this news from the rooftop (plus it's covered in snow, which seems a bit more dangerous than it's worth) I will have to do so from my technological rooftops.  

Facebook and Blogger.

So this is me shouting:

MARTY GOT HIS ORDERS TODAY!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how beyond excited we are for this!  It has been a very long, difficult, emotionally and physically exhausting 6 months, but the light at the end of the tunnel suddenly got VERY bright.  

No more hoping, praying (we'll still pray for other things) and wishing.  Now we KNOW that Marty will be coming home to us for good in a couple of weeks!  That's only 6 more times I have to bathe all 4 kids by myself (yes...I counted, because it's getting old.).  Only about 14 more nights of putting all the kids to bed by myself and sitting in the dark, lonely basement all alone.*

So here we go, back to a civilian life. And I couldn't be more excited!

HALLELUJAH!

*Okay, to give my parents credit, they help out a TON.  They help with baths, holding Molly while I wrestle other kids, making meals - particularly my dad's famous breakfasts.  They help babysit, listen for sleeping children if I have somewhere to go, cleaning, laundry, breaking up fights, entertaining kids, taking kids to church while I'm home with Molly, and the list could go on and on.  Also, they do invite me to watch movies with them, or to hang out at night.  I'm not banished to the basement.  But I usually decline so I can watch my own smutty shows without them judging while also listening for the kids.

We couldn't have survived this phase without my parents, that's for sure!

For Daddy

Dear Daddy -

Mommy has been a huge slacker about taking any pictures lately.  Something about being tired and busy I guess.  Anyway, we finally convinced her to get the camera out this morning - and not her cell phone camera - and take some pictures of our Sunday morning. 

And get this - we actually convinced her to put the pictures on the blog so you could see them!  We have a lot of pull around here apparently.  We're the puppet masters.  So, here are some pictures just for you!

Brielle:

I have gone from one extreme to the other.  Instead of NEVER wanting my hair done at all, I now always want it to look extra fancy.  Mom has been a pretty good sport about it, but it takes her a lot longer to get me ready now.  I also have decided that having my picture taken is not so bad and try to cooperate.

Claire:

I have taken over Brielle's hate for having pictures taken, and instead of smiling I look pained in most pictures mom took.  She curled my hair today, I told her it makes me look like Zoey.  Do you know Zoey?  She went to kindergarten with Brielle.  Mom says I look even better than Zoey, I look like beautiful Claire.

Addison:

I didn't go to church today.  Mom says it's because I still have a little bit of a gooey nose, but I think it's because she doesn't feel like she should put Grandma and Grandpa through that torture.  I don't know what she's talking about, I'm an angel!  Mom says my hair matches my personality today.  Whatever that means.

Molly:

I'm busy being cute and growing.  I mostly sleep, but mom caught me in my crib wide awake and took some pictures.  And don't worry, I still go cross-eyed sometimes.  I know how much you love that.  Mom swears she caught me smiling...she just must not have heard the gas I passed afterwards.  My hair is still an awesome mohawk in the back, mom does nothing to tame it because she thinks it's so wonderful.  Mom says my stork bites are kisses from heaven...Claire asked why so many people in heaven wanted to kiss me before I was born, I guess I'm just that special.

 Here's proof of going cross-eyed

And the supposed "smile" mom caught.

So there you have it Daddy.  We miss you and love you SO MUCH!  Hurry home, we can't wait to smother you with love!

Love-
Your huge gaggle of girls

Molly VS. Brielle

There have been some freaky moments since having Molly where we'll look at her and it's like looking at Brielle's baby pictures. I wasn't sure if it was just our imagination, or if there really was that much similarity in the two.  So, I decided to look at a picture of them both at about the same age and, well, look for yourself.

Molly

 

Brielle

Again, is it just me that sees how freaky the similarity is?  I know the quality for Brielle's picture is poor, but they actually also have similar stork bites on their foreheads.

Apparently our genes don't have a 4th combination after all and it started over again.  Brielle obviously thinks it is the best thing EVER that Molly looks like her.  And it will be fun to actually have people not question if at least two of our kids are siblings or if they're from the same father.  

People.  Seriously.  Think before you ask questions!

We sure love ALL our girls.

(On a side note...crazy how far camera quality has come in 6 years right?)

2012 Resolutions

After having a rough 2011 in more ways than one (I know, you're all sick of hearing me whine and complain about it) I have been really seriously thinking about New Years resolutions for 2012, and how to make this a great year.  There is no obligation for anyone to actually read this post, as it's probably boring.  But for me, I wanted to write it out so I can check back and remind myself of what I should be working on this year.

Now, there are the typical ones that I always want to do: Lose weight, be more organized, be more patient, be more awesome.  But this year I REALLY want to improve myself, my family and my relationships.  This year is the year I want there to be more joy in my life, and so I am being more specific about my goals.

Myself:

1. Play the piano more frequently

I LOVE to play the piano and used to sit and play for at least an hour every day.  I haven't done that since having kids, but I want them to learn the same love of music I have.

*

2. Personal scripture study

I've never been very good at this...and actually, my scriptures right now are still in Washington. Oops.  

But this year I want to improve, even if it's just a verse a day.

*

3. Keep my bedroom clean

For some reason my bedroom is ESPECIALLY hard for me to keep clean, and it becomes a catchall. This year I want a relaxing sleeping space.

*

4. Eat healthier

 I'm not talking a complete lifestyle overhaul, that will never be successful.  But making some small improvements to start out with.  I want to feel better and have more energy to keep up with my kids.

Family:

 1. Family Home Evening

We were good for a while, but this year being all crazy and living apart, we haven't done it at all since July.  Yikes!  But this year we WILL do better.

*

2. Family Scripture Study

See above description...it's the exact same.

*

3. Get Out.  Be More Physically Active

I want to go on hikes, walks, bike rides, camping, or just play in the backyard together.  We've been a bit sedentary and boring in 2011, but this year we will enjoy God's creations more as a family.

*

4. Watch less TV

We have already improved on this, but I don't want all of our "together time" to be spent watching movies or TV.  I want to do things listed in #3.

Relationships:

 1. Date Night

Marty and I haven't been able to go out on dates very often.  This year I want to try to go out together with no kids, no distractions at least two times a month.  So get ready grandparents. :)

 *

2. Be Present/Available

I want to really be present in my relationships with family, especially my husband and kids, and available for them.  Take time to really listen to them, enjoy their company, be involved in their interests, put away distractions and just be together.

*

3. One on One Time With Kids

Pretty self-explanatory.

So that about does it.  There are some other things I will work on as well, but those are the big ones.  It seems like a pretty long list, but it's doable, and I'm very excited for what 2012 has in store for my family!  

It's going to be a great year no matter what!