Adam-Ondi_Ahmen

Memorial Weekend we decided to take a drive. It's so nice to have the early church block to get home and relax. So, we headed up to Adam-Ondi-Ahmen, it's only about 70 miles north from us. It was a nice little drive. I had hopes to get up here in the early spring before it got too hot but I didn't make that deadline. It was rather hot and humid. It was my 2nd time coming here with the boys but Danny had never been up here. We took a small hike down to a lower valley and then were tired out from walking so we took a short cut through the tall grass/weeds. Well, needless to say, it wasn't a good idea. We ended up with 5 out 6 of us getting a tick. It was kind of crazy! But on a positive note, I was able to get a few cute pics of my kiddo's.

This is where we picked up all our dang ticks!

CLOSE-UPS OF MY OFFSPRING

Josh's Preschool Graduation

Josh has officially graduated from North Cross preschool. It happened way back on May 17th and I'm just now getting around to posting it. 

Mrs Dolato, Josh and Mrs Depetre

The 2011 Graduating Duck class.

They made these special cupcakes for each of the kids.

Look at my cute boy! Getting so big!

 I was in perfect position with me camera on and ready to have his name read. Then some man had to come walk in front of me. The annoying this of it all is that I had watched this man get up and down like 6 times and walk in front of many camera's because he happened to be sitting on the front seat. So, I missed his name being called but I still got some cute video of him. Enjoy!

This was a fabulous preschool. I highly recommend it for anyone in Kansas City. His teachers were great with him. The whold staff was really nice and friendly. He did so many fun crafts and activities amidst all the learning. It really was a great school, so good in fact the Colton has told me many times, "I go there." He wants to go there so bad but he has one more year before he's able to attend. Anyways, Josh, has been enjoying his summer break but soon he'll be getting up early again. We signed him up for a kindergarten kickoff at Meadowbrook Elementary. It's a 2 week introduction to kindergarten to help prepare them for the school year without having an entire school full of kids making them feel more overwhelmed.  However, he'll only get one week in before he head out to Yellowstone. But we figured one week was better than none. So, Monday - Thursday he'll be at school from 9-3. Such a long day for a little kid. He's going to be one tired kid when he gets home, I don't think he knows what's in store for him, poor kiddo, but he will survive it!

Colton's 3!!!!

This is Colton's birthday celebration. He requested a batman cake so that's what we did. It was so fun and easy. He was so happy with everything he got. He really had a great day!

We want to wish our Colton boy a very Happy Birthday! He's growing up so fast. I swear I was just pregnant with him and now 3 years later, here we are. He is such a character, and so different from his brothers. He's my big -stout- dark- haired kid! He started out big at 9lbs 10oz and is still big for his age. I can't imagine how big he could have been if I'd gone full term instead of being induced 2 1/2 weeks early. He has always been my little buddy but just recently it's gotten really bad, he's a HUGE momma's boy right now. He just recently started to go and stay in nursery all by himself. He's kind of shy and is not as out-going as his brothers are. He is a  big tease, he likes to get in my recliner and tell me: "Haha, I in yo seat!" His other big joke is argueing back and forth with Grandma and Grandpa about coming to our house or him going to their house. He also has some peculiar habbits, one is him pinching our fingers but it doesn't end there he has to then poke his thumb nail under our finger nails. And if it's not that then it's pushing on our bellies, I suppose it's cause their big, soft and giggly. (that's good motivation for me to loose some weight) Colton is just our funny little character. Right now he's into  Caillou, Backyardigans, Batman and Wonderpets. He loves peanut butter and jelly- he'd eat it everyday if he could. He thinks he doesn't have to go to bed until I do. He loves playing with Lego's and being outside. Colton is called our cranky Bear and he really has earned that name. Don't get me wrong he is an awesome boy and can be really good but he can also be a real big stinker. He can give some good scowls and some powerful temper tantrums. And just like each bear has it's tendencies to be cranky it can also be sweet and cuddly. And Colton is my biggest cuddle bear ever! He loves to lay with me or just come give me great big hugs all the time. I love this Colton Bear!!! Happy 3rd Birthday Buddy!

These are photo's taken from the last 3 years of his life.

Today making his silly face

2010

 

2009

 

2008

Nater taters

This is a video from Nate's 1st Grade music program. The theme was all about farms. His enthusiasm was a little on the low side because we later found out he was getting sick. Try and enjoy it and forgive the shaking because Audrey kept bumping my arm.

This was taken right before his program. I had been cleaning all stinking day and hadn't had time for a shower plus Audrey had been kind of cranky all day too. So, when Nate got home from school, I had him on Audrey duty just so I could get a shower. Seriously, she had been fussy all day unless I held her so I knew this wasn't going to be a fun time for Nate. I jumped in the shower quickly and got out and didn't hear her crying so I continued to get ready. After getting make-up on I decided I'd better check on her cause usually she'd have found me by this time. Well, this is what I found when I came to the family room. Nate was holding a sleeping girl. It was so cute that I had to get his picture. I couldn't sleep in that position but evidently is was comfortable enought to put her out cold. I was so pleased the sight that I made sure to reward Nate for a job well done. He sure can be a big help when he chooses to be.

Best Mom

In honor of my 200th post, I decided to make it a special one. And since it so happens that it's Mother's Day, I am going to dedicate this to my Mom. I'm very grateful to have the mom that I do. I've learned a lot from her. Growing up I knew that she'd always be there for me, even when there were times that I didn't want it. Thankfully though, it never deterred her and she always loved me for me. I've learned from her to love my children through thick and thin and always let them know I'm there for them. She was always faithful and dedicated to any calling she recieved and had a strong testimony of the gospel. She led the way and I've tried to follow in her footsteps. She's a hard worker. She kept a clean house and keeps things clean no matter how busy she is. My house always manages to stay clean whenever she visits- that's an extra bonus when she comes to visit! This is something that I lack but look up to and hope to master one day. She's a good cook and I refer back to her recipes over and over again. She's patient, she puts up with me calling her day after day at work just to chat. I could go on and on about what I've learned fron my mom and it would take up pages. I just want her to know how glad I am to have her as a mom and let her know that I love her very much. I'm a lucky girl to have you!
        Happy Mother's Day to
            the best Mom!

I was fortunate to have my mom with me for all my births with the exception of Josh. She got there when Josh was 5 days old but all the other kids she was right there to see and hold them.

Nate

Josh

Colton

Audrey

This is up at Browne Lake the summer of 2004. Danny was in Iraq and Nate and I was living with them.

This is June 2009 when all the family came to visit us in Missouri. This is at Adam-Ondi-Ahmen

She's true to the name of Grandma because she does love to spoil her grandkids. These are some happy boys after a fun-filled day of  Chuck-E-Cheese

Grandma loves to spend time with us in the hot tub. I'd like to say it's relaxing but with 3 energetic boys in with you it's nothing close to being calm and relaxing. But she puts up with all the splashing cause they love the hot tub. Once boys are out, we've been able to have many good talks, just something about hot tubs that get ya talking.

I promise we didn't talk about wearing white bottoms, it really was a coincidence. I wouldn't be the mom I am to Audrey without my mom and she wouldn't be the mom she was to me if it weren't for her mom; my Grandma.

Lastly, this is a good one of my parents at Kyle and Erica's wedding. This was chosen because of their faithful examples as parents. Although this wasn't their last wedding (Kellen and Holli would soon follow) it does show that they were able to lead all their children into marrying in the temple.
I can only hope to live up the the legacy that she's creating as a mother and grandmother.

May Update

I've been meaning to update the blog for the last few days. I just haven't had a lot of free minutes. So I figured that I'd update you on our lives. We have been busy with the usual stuff: school, church, activities, cleaning, work and so forth. We celebrated Danny's birthday the other day. We went to Bass Pro shops and bought us a tent on his birthday so that we can go camping for Mother's day weekend. We are headed up to Smithville lake for the night. We are all pretty excited. We were able to visit with Danny's dad and Mari this past week. They took us out to our favorite bbq restaurant. The boys have really enjoyed the belt buckles that they gave them. The weather has been getting warmer so we've been outside a lot more. So, we've kind of been boring the last few weeks but here's some pictures of a few things.

The best I could get of the 4 of them just after we had them taken professionally.

Mr. Nathan.

So what has Nathan been up to? He is finishing up first grade. This year went by super fast. He's loving his SAGE class but I think he's ready for a new 2nd grade teacher cause he's had the same teacher 2 years in a row. He recently went work with Danny and he loved it! He was treated pretty well by his dad, got some breakfast, had some snacks, got a happy meal and an ice cream. He really enjoyed his time at the airport. Danny said he would teach him things about generators and navigational lighting aids and he would remember everything. In fact he came home telling me facts about how they work. He's getting to be a young man so quickly.

The tree was really beginning to hurt him.

My little Joshy is growing up. He is finishing up preschool. He told me today that he has 5 days left of preschool. We had a mother's tea social at this preschool this morning. He made a portrait of me and I am so impressed with how he made me. In fact it was so good that I was able to immediately pick out which one he had made from them hanging on the wall. They will soon be doing a graduation ceremony for them so look forward to pictures coming of that. Josh is in a very sassy and a smartalick right now. He's a very spunky boy.

Mr Josh

Joshy is sliding down the slide with his sissy.

This is Josh's purse. One day he was out with Danny cleaning the garage when he came upon this old purse. He was thrilled and came running in and asking if he could have it. So, I figured why not let him have it. Well, he has loved it! He really does carry it around with stuff in it. It's lasted longer than I thought he wold with it and who cares this phase will pass one day. Silly boy!

My Colton is getting bigger every day. He will soon be 3 in 2 weeks. He is really beginning to talk more and more. And it is becoming clearer and crisper. It's just taking him a while longer to talk but that's ok cause then he can't talk back as soon. He is such a momma's boy. He loves to pinch your finger tips as a comfort measure for him. He's so stinking stubborn he likes things his way and there is no changing his mind. We're trying to potty train him but he just doesn't have a desire to do it, he's being a stinker about it. However, he does like to pee on this very tree he's standing in. He is finally going to nursery on his own, the last 2 weeks he's gone on his own. He is a funny boy, he loves to play jokes and tease you, he is going to be the jokester of the family.

Mr Colton

Just examining a bug

Oh, this boys is funny. This is where he sleeps now. This is between the crib and the bunk beds. It's just a few feet wide with stacks of blankets and each night he heads to this spot. He has a full size bed but could care less about that he loves it here. The first night he was just on the floor so the 2nd time he headed there we added some cushioning for him. And now the last few weeks this has been his spot and we let him sleep there cause why fight it. We figure if he's sleeping and happy so are we.

He thinks he's big enough for this but I had to rescue him.

Our pretty girl

My little miss Audrey is growing up so fast. She is 13 months now and walking around like crazy. I love to see her little wobbly walk, it's adorable. She has a pretty smile, but sometimes she makes a funny squinty eye smile that I love. We call her a tornado cause she leaves a trail of destruction where ever she goes. She pulls out all the Tupperware, pulls out pads and tampons out of the bathroom, throws things down the heat vents, down the toilet, eats rocks and dirt, etc. She is just into everything. She loves her mom, she's a mommas girl too but she does love her daddy. She does require some daddy time each day. She can say mom, dad, hi, and ya. Her hair is getting long enough for pig tails and it is adorable in there. She loves being outside and will sneak out any chance she see's when the door is open. She also thinks she's as big as her older brothers and can do whatever they are doing. She's a handful but oh, so fun to have around!

Playing around in the grass

The sight of sugar and spice and everything nice


There you have it. An update of what we've been up to. Now I've got to get a move on and clean and pack up for our camping trip.

Jesse James Geo Cache

I found these pictures the other day from our visit with Grandma and Grandpa. We took them out geo caching when they were here. We found a multi-cache that included all of Jesse James's famous spots. So, we traveled up north to St Joseph, down south to Blue Springs and all in between there. These pictures are of the last cache that was hidden in the mountain side. These are the limestone caves that he would hide all his loot and hide from the law. We had to hike about 1mile to get there but it was pretty easy hike and the weather was just fabulous. This was seriously an all day activty but we all had a lot of fun. We were all amazed at the ground Jesse James covered and all of it done on horse back.

Nate and Josh posing in front of some limestone cave

Colton sitting up one the limestone

The boys sitting together up high

Colton, Grandma and Danny hiking on the trail

Nate, Grandpa and Josh hiking

A cute picture of all the kids with Grandma and Grandpa.

Mommy needed a picture with her beautiful daughter, Audrey

On our way out and so ready for some dinner! (and yes our big Nate is the one sitting in the stroller being lazy)