Audrey's Tricks

This is Aurdrey's latest trick. She was sitting on her bum in it just swinging back and forth. She was going pretty fast too but when I got the camera out she had switched to standing. Still cute. Just ignore the naked running babies in the background. Luckily you can't see any little parts. But it gives you a pretty good idea of what it's really like at our house.

New flat iron

 So earlier this month I bought a new flat iron and was so excited to try it out. The one I had was getting really old and had so much buildup on it. I was watching the Home Shopping Network and they had a flat iron on demo and I was glued to that segment. I was amazed at the transformation of the hair with the new flat iron. Well that got me thinking that I needed a new one. So, I looked it up and that specific one had horrible reviews but I was not detered. I began a search for a fabulous iron. I researched it for weeks, read reviews, watch you tube video's and had it narrowed down to 2. It was between a Sedu or a Solia. They both had the same ratings, same technology but prices were significantly different. The Sedu was endorsed by celebrities so thus it was asking for twice the price. So, I went with the Solia. I really like my new flat iron. These pictures don't do it juctice. The color is really yellow and I had to take them myself. But in person you could really tell a difference in the smoothness and frizziness. All I did was quickly dry my hair with the blow dryer then I took before and after shots of the results.

Old Flat Iron

New Solia Flat Iron

So, there you have it. Can you tell a difference?

Just for fun

She's loves to chew on wash clothes

Clean girl

Hi mom, I see you have the camera.

Biggest blue eyes-ever! He really didn't want a picture taken

Josh holding his pirate ship and drinking a soda

Nate reading a book from school. This made me realize how big is getting.

Sleeping Colton

 One day we return from running errands and Colton had fallen asleep in the car. So, I unbuckled him and he woke up and walked in the house. Well, he couldn't make it any further before he fell asleep again right on the steps. He made it in the door from the garage and was out cold. I didn't realize this is what he had done because I was putting groceries away so he ended up sleeping there for a good 10-15 minutes before I found him and laid him on the couch. When this boy is tired, he can sleep anywhere.

Audrey 10 Months

 I thought it would be fun to put up some pictures of our Audrey girl. She's now 10 months. I can't believe we're nearing her 1 year birthday already. She's a very mild mannered baby. She is extremely addicted to nursing. I'm so in trouble with this girl. She's not going to be easy to wean. She's not a big fan of food. She's rather picky. It has to be full of flavor, so much so that we think she came down to the wrong white family cause she loves Mexican food!! She loves hugs and kisses which is good cause she gets plenty from us all. In fact, she's down right spoiled! But we love this sweet heart! Hope you enjoy the pictures of our cutie pie.

Look at those big blue eyes-so pretty

Having fun with her exercauser

I left the drawer open and she started throwing things out and climbed right in.

Daddy had her all smiles while sitting on top of the cupboards. He's done this with each of the kids.

She likes playing with her jewelry box

I just can't get enough of her profile

She fell asleep in Daddy's arms. I love sleeping babies

Can't wait for this phase to be over with.

Always playing in the tupperware

Sorry it's sideways. But she saw the drawer open and climbed right in to explore.

And lastly I got one of all the kids. Aren't they cute!!!!

Chore Chart

 We have been so tired of getting after the boys to clean up and help out around the house. All they would do is whine and complain and not do what we asked. It was draining on us all! It reached the point where a week after Christmas all their toys were taken away from them for not picking up. And when I say all, I mean ALL, EVERYTHING- it was GONE!!! You'd think that would have created some anger and some thrashing & gnashing of teeth but sadly their exact reaction in their own words: "oh, it's gone." That's it. Then they happily danced and ran around the emptied toy room like they didn't have a care in the world. So it solidifed my resolve that something needed to be done.

 Thus enter the new way of life: Our Chore Chart. We had a good FHE where we pulled out The Family, A Proclamation to the World. We talked about the part about being a family and what it takes to be a family and in there it talks about work. We told them that the prophets have counseled that work is essential to a happy family among other things but our focus was on work. We explained that work has to be done by ALL and then there will be more time for fun and play time. It really seemed to help. They've been doing everything rather well. And for now their reward for doing chores is to get a toy back each day without "murmuring." Eventually it will resume back to them earning a quarter a day.

 Each day the chores are going to be different, their will be some that will be the same day after day, like pajamas and brushing teeth. But this is how we've chosen to do it. Obviously you could do any variations that fit your family. We used clip art pictures because Nate's the only one that can read right now. So this is what works for us but again you could come up with your own cute creations.

 I wanted to capture their personalities. I think I was succesful. FYI, they did have feet but when I went to laminate them I discovered Audrey had eaten Josh's feet so I had to chop everyone's feet off.

  I think I just want to add some vinyl strips to create 4 sections for all the kids when Audrey's older. For now the last section is going to be for the various chore assignments. But this chore chart has resulted in a cleaner & happier Fritz home.

Kansas City Temple

 This is what our temple looks like as of Monday, January 17, 2011. This was part of our family home evening. We drove to the temple to get some pictures. Unfortunately Cotlon had fallen asleep and it was drizzling so we didn't want to get Audrey out. But we'll return for some more pictures as it continues to progress. It's ahead of schedule at this point and we're looking at spring of next year for it to be done. Everyone is getting so excited. I'm getting super excited as I see it's progress, I can't wait to go in and do some sessions. Even the boys remarked tonight that they're excited to see inside it. This temple is seriously only 10 minutes from our home. It's so close! It's going to be great to have one so close to us. It's going to be such a blessing to all the saints out here! Hope you enjoy the pictures of our temple!

I absolutely love this saying; just seeing it today brought such peace to my heart.

Snow Day

 
 So we finally got hit with a big winter storm. Starting on Monday it snowed and snowed all day long; about 6 inches of snow covered the ground. Of course school was canceled on Monday, then because of snow plows not being able to reach all residential area's it was canceled on Tuesday. Then on Tuesday night we had some arctic air come in presenting issues with ice on the roads and frigid temperature for the children hence Wednesday's classes were canceled too. For 3 days in a row they have had snow days. So Tuesday before the low temperatures hit they wanted to play in the snow. Then they decided to help daddy shovel the driveway. All 3 had a shovel and did their best to help clear the snow. They didn't get far, it's hard work to shovel snow but they really did try and wanted to help their dad. And of course it took longer to get them dressed and undressed than it did for them to play in it. Once they were inside they were warmed up with some yummy Stephen's hot chocolate with whip cream. Although school has been out for 3 days we are surviving each other due to some strict scheduling in their behalf.

Nate loves this ski mask. He wears it to school each morning.

Josh is headed to the garage to get his shovel

Josh uses his muscles to pick up the snow he's shoveled.

Nate really is trying his best to get it cleared off

Colton cannot be left out so he's coming for his shovel.

Colton's little shovel

Taking a break from shoveling.

I just had to get one of Audrey through the patio door. This is what a sweet baby girl was doing while I was out taking pictures of the boys in the snow. CRYING!!!

Birthday Retreat

So, my birthday was Jan 3 and honestly I wasn't looking forward to it coming. It's not because I was going to be another year older but because of other circumstances. Well, after some lengthy discussions with my hubby, he planned something for me but I had to agree to it all with out knowing what it was. I did know that we were headed out somewhere and had to pack a bag for me and the kids. So right after church we came home, ate some lunch and headed out. Still not knowing where we were going, I had my guesses but no clue really what was in store. We headed in the direction of St Louis but knowing Danny I knew this probably wasn't were we were going, he just wanted me to think that. Well, after an hour or two, he finally let me in on where we were going. Osage Beach. It's a part of the Lake of the Ozarks. He had rented a small cabin on the lake and had it planned for me to spend an entire day shopping. Osage beach has a HUGE outlet mall, 110 shops, with FANTASTIC deals. He allowed me to get shopping for anything and everything I wanted with absolutely no limits. I'll admit that was a little overwhelming cause I don't spend much on myself and what I did spend was outrageous and makes me feel a little guilty. But I got some really cute things that are classics to carry me through for a few years. It was a really good day. He did a good job entertaining the kids all day long while I shopped alone all day. He would take them to stores then go to the car and watch movies with them, then I'd eventually meet up with them and nurse Audrey. We had a fun lunch at an Italian restaurant and then did more shopping until dinner time. We shopped all day and the kids did fabulous all day long. They were rewarded with an LED flashlight that will see much use. We didn't get home until 10:30 that night, they were exhausted, Danny and I were exhausted- it was a long day. Danny did good-I owe him big time!

Pictures are in order of what we did:


Momma's little girl loooooovvvvvved the hot tub!!!!



We all love the hot tub. One day we will own one.


Most adorable girl ever eating some pizza.


Dinner time at the cabin. (This picture made me realize how much weight I've put on lately, yuck! But I think with the new clothes I got it compliments my figure better)


They are all literally in the middle of saying "pizza"


This is a picture of the lake at dusk, it was taken right off the deck.


All my cute kids dressed up for me for my birthday.


I think this is cute of the boys looking at the lake.


I love how Josh is hugging Colton in this one.


Just chillin-watching some morning cartoons.


Love that smile!


Danny does not like bathing the children, can't you tell by that face? But since it was my birthday, there wasn't any argument from him.


A shot of the lake in the morning.


Just waking up in the morning.


Some of the bags

This is a shot of all the goods I ended up with. There is a lot of cute things there and a lot of overlapping of clothing. Can't wait to get wearing them. Thanks Danny!!!!