What a summer

Well if any of you read my previous post- you know that I have failed horribly on one of my resolutions. HAHA!! I have good intentions- really I do! This year has been good and I am thinking I will just do a slideshow with the highlights just so it is on record for myself and my kids later in life if they want to read this blog. It is now on my to-do list for the next couple weeks. Wish me luck on that one!!

Okay- here comes my venting.......
In Alaska, we always look forward to our summers. If we are lucky, we get awesome weather that lasts for most hours of everyday. Last summer was quite a bit rainy- bummer!! But this summer has been amazing as far as weather goes. Other than the weather- this summer has been a struggle for me! Summers are always crazy busy and I always have to remind myself that it is just a couple months out of my year, but this year has been extra tough. The stresses of having MANY extra bodies living at my house (which I love and hate at the same time), Sam building a shop on our property and the joys of having three rambunctious kiddos has caused me, for the first time ever, to tell my sweet hubby that I really need a break! Unfortunately, I will have to wait until company is gone to do so. But at least there is a light at the end of this tunnel- a weekend away with no worries or responsibilities is coming my way!!

I have been so negative about this summer to friends, on Facebook and just in general- but I want to focus on the positive for a second...
I am so grateful for my children and their awesome, active personalities. They keep me happy!
I am grateful for my dear husband, who works so hard to provide for our family and keep us all happy!
I am so thankful for my friends! Their listening ears and thoughtful prayers are a blessing!
I am so grateful for a beautiful home to rest my head each night and all the extras inside and out of it- the Lord has blessed our family more than we could ever imagine!!
I am so happy that many friends and family are able to come visit us this year- it is always nice to share time with those you miss so much. And we love showing them this beautiful place we live!!
I am so thankful for each day the sun rises- just one more day to enjoy my blessings!

Thank you Lord for this beautiful summer and allowing me to live it!!

Waiting and Hoping

As the Christmas season fast approaches I am both happy and bummed. Happy because it means yummy kitchen smells, Christmas carols, and smiling faces on my little ones. But bummed because I realize another year has gone by and I have not accomplished all that I wanted to. This blog would be one of those things. I know people have made excuses for me- I have three kids, I am a mom, I have MOPS, I have a house to run. But really- I have discovered that I have a time management issue!! I am fully aware of it but choose to ignore it most times. Well I am striving to make one of my 2011 Resolutions to update my blog and then to keep updating at least once a month. I know that this is sometimes the only way for relatives to see the kiddos as they grow and learn, so it is my goal to let everyone else enjoy my family as much as I do.
So for those of you who care enough to check in every once in awhile- Thanks!! And I WILL be posting/updating soon. I would say that it will before Christmas, but honestly I don't think that will happen. Sam, Luke and I are playing the parts of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus for Bethlehem Revisited for  our church so the days before Christmas are jam packed. But have a little faith in me and I won't let you down.
As for now, we wish you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

DELAYED!

I am fully aware of my blog being so far behind. Just like most things in our house right now- not caught up! But I promise that I have many very cute pictures of all my kiddos that I am wanting to post on here. It will be blog overload but if I don't do it, I will be bummed. I am just needing a couple hours of free time in the evening- so hopefully next week I will find that time. I need to get through Halloween first.

Currently, we are in the middle of remodeling our entryway and cleaning up after it. We are also looking forward to a trip to Arizona in a few weeks.

So just hang in there and don't give up on me- I will be posting soon!! Check back in a week or so! Love to all!

3 Months

Here are a few snapshots of the Little Luke man at his 3 month milestone.

He is starting to figure out his hands. He loves sucking/chewing on his fingers and thumb.

He has learned to grasp the toys that hang on his playmat. He smiles constantly (except in a picture below). This little man has been the perfect addition to our family. He is so easy and just loves attention!!

A little tummy time on the Boppy- it doesn't last too long with this little guy. He would rather be up looking out at all the things going on around him.

His favorite playtime is on his play mat. He loves staring the colorful animals in their huge eyes and grabbing onto the rings.

Now this picture just absolutely cracks me up!! Brookie loves her hat and was totally thrilled when she realized that Luke had one similar to her. She put the hat on and they both wore them for a good 15 minutes, but of course once I decided it was time to take a picture of their cuteness- all hell breaks loose. Brookie didn't care that Luke was mad, she wanted the picture smiles or not. It will be a photo I will certainly cherish.

Thumb Sucker????

Each night Luke just chills until he is finally ready to go to sleep. Usually, I go put him in his bed with his pacifier or cuddle him to sleep. But tonight he figured out his own solution- sucking his thumb. I do not want him to be a thumb sucker but I loved this!! My little man is so very cute!!!

Barbie Pool & Easy Bake Oven

Today we busted out two new-to-us toys and it made my kids day even more fun.

I had bought a Barbie swimming pool a couple years ago and was just waiting for a bday or Christmas to give it to Brookie. But since the kids took swimming lessons, Brookie always wants to play swimming with her Barbie's. She was trying to find a box or basket to be the pool today, so I thought it was the perfect time to bring the pool out from hiding. She was absolutely thrilled.

We were also given an Easy Bake Oven a month or so ago and I was honestly putting off trying it. We were at Wal Mart today and Si spotted the mixes that go with it. I didn't have an excuse to not get one. So once we got home that was all I heard about until finally after dinner. The kids loved putting the little pans in and taking them out. They (along with myself) didn't like that it took so long to cook the one cookie. But they both enjoyed two sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles. It was a fun activity to do with them. They were proud of themselves for making the cookies all by themselves. All in all, the kids and I had a fun day and I was glad that I put other things on hold and just took the time to do little things like these.

Waiting for the oven to warm-up

The anticipation

Brookie's finished product

I love my kiddos so much! They are both so sweet, but we have been having out battles lately. Many struggles with just attitudes and having to learn how to deal with new situations. But after taking a look at my own attitude each morning and trying to be more understanding with them has really been a benefit this last week! I just hope that I can remember to step back and enjoy these moments, because as I have already figured out- the time flies!!

Saddle Ridge Ranch

We just had a fun week at our Vacation Bible School. The theme this year was Saddle Ridge Ranch. We had a good ole time!! YEEHAW! The kids loved the music/dance part the best as always! Here are a few pictures from the event. I wish I had more to share. It's hard to show how much fun it really was with only a couple pictures.

Hayrides at the Hoe Down. Silas was right there up front!

Little Luke sporting his cowboy flannel shirt for the Hoe Down.

Brookie and her friend John.

Silas and our neighbor friends, Michael and Devin.

Me and my kiddos at Saddle Ridge Ranch!