Monday, April 28, 2014

Beautiful Sunday Evening

So...let's get real here.  Things haven't been exactly peachy with Marty gone.  Sure, we're alive and surviving, but things have been rough at times - especially when it comes to a certain 4 year old who misses her daddy and is acting out - A LOT.  Lots of tears and screaming, but we're doing our best.

Anyway, Sunday was another one of those FANTASTIC (except the opposite) days where we had a few tantrums, including one hysterical screaming fit that lasted 45 minutes...all because I told her she could get her own cup of water.  Oh yes.  This is my life.

We finally got over that, played with the cousins for a little while, ate some dinner and then we went outside.  I had originally gone outside to try and get some pictures of Claire - who turns 7 this week - but soon everyone else followed, and they played and played in the driveway and park.  It really turned the day around and helped end it on a much better note.  And because I had taken my camera outside with me, I took the chance to sit and take a bunch of pictures of the kids.

And now, you get to enjoy those pictures!  You're welcome!
(you can click on the pictures to see them larger)

Jeep Rides - always a favorite (it was a bit windy outside)

Molly makes some funny faces

Brielle - I blackmailed her into smiling nicely with a picture of a horrible face she made.  Total parental winning moment.


Claire - The attempt at 7 year old pictures didn't go as great as I'd hoped.  Then I sat down to just watch the kids play and all of a sudden, she remembered how to smile and be cute in front of the camera. :)



Addison - this kid is kind of a nut, but so funny.
(don't mind her outfit, she had been playing dressups before we went outside)

Molly - what can I say.  She's the cutest little girl.  And SO sweet.
Especially her "cheese" face

We had a limb hanging down low enough that the leaves hit the car when we'd drive in and out of the driveway.  I mentioned that I should probably cut it off, but Claire discovered it worked great as a "Tarzan vine".  So they swung back and forth on it for a while until it finally broke off.  Which means they took care of that job for me.

Can I just say how much I'm going to miss our huge, long driveway?

Anyway, back to what we were talking about.  After the limb was broken off from the swinging, they used it to play "tree tag".  Someone would hold the limb and chase the others around with it.  When you got touched by the leaves, you had to freeze.  I only took pictures of Molly's turn with the limb, becuase it cracked me up.


And there we have it!  A beautiful Sunday evening out in the beautiful St. George weather.  Grateful for moments like that to get is through the tough times.



Thursday, April 17, 2014

Happy Easter!

Sending out a big HAPPY EASTER from our little family to yours. 
We hope your weekend is filled with fun, laughter and family.


And what photo opportunity would be complete without outtakes and being given free reign to make silly faces? 


Happy Easter!

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Happy Birthday Brielle!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIELLE!

It is so hard to believe our sweet Brielle is 9 years old!  Where does the time go?  (Am I sounding like a broken record??)  It always shocks and surprises me as we get to another birthday or milestone and I realize just how fast time is flying by. 

It's Brielle's last year in the single digit age - WEIRD!  Brielle is such a sweet and special girl.  She always seems to have a smile on her face, and is the biggest help to me and her sisters.  She makes this time of being a single parent a little easier as she sees things that need to get done, and just does them.  Including calming Molly down, getting people snacks, unloading the dishwasher and turning on shows for whiny kids. 
I don't know what I'd do without her!

We had a nice day celebrating her birthday on Saturday, and then took some pictures for her turning 9 which turned out fun!  (Shout out to Aunt Sara for the cute scarf, and Hadley's for the dress!) I don't have a lot more to say (shocking I know) because it's just surreal that the little girl that made me a mom is already 9.  Makes me feel so old!

Enjoy the pictures!

She wanted some action shots of her doing hopscotch.

More pictures - some being silly too.

Celebrating on Saturday:
Watching Frozen for the millionth time.

 Getting ready for cake and ice cream! 

Thinking hard about what she wants her wish to be.

Blowing out the candles

I took these few pictures with my nice camera, and then the battery died...which is why the pictures above are all from my cell phone.  I didn't plan ahead very well.
 The kids waiting for the cake 


And there we have it.  
We sure love you Brielle, and are SO glad you are part of our family!