Pigtails.....FINALLY!

Yes, I know that my daughter has NO HAIR!! She can blame her mother for that one, and I can blame my mother, and she can blame hers, etc etc etc! We did not stand in the hair line in heaven! We waited far too long in the fair skin line! Having never cut Cara's hair except her bangs ONCE it was a glorious day today when I was able to let her have cute piggy tails! I absolutely LOVE it when I see a little girls with piggy tails! I almost forgot to document this glorious occasion until I got her in the shower after coming home from painting with the twins. I would do this to her hair everyday if I didn't think it would break all of her fine thin hair off. I LOVE IT!!

Definately the naughty look! The red paint on her chin is proof!

I just LOVE those big blue eyes.

Aren't little kids profiles so cute? She is checkin' out all the paint she got on herself and singin' herself a little song. She is always singin'......just like her momma.

Thompson week?

Okay this really seems repetative. We have spent the whole week playing with Leah and Emma. It gets so lonely for Cara when the kids go to school. Its just me and her all day long. It has been so fun for them to play together and become better cousins with each other. Let's see......clean the house or play with Odie and the girls? Odie called me today and wanted me to run to Target and Micheals with her. At Micheals she let the girls pick out something to paint. Emma picked a pumpkin, Leah picked a fish, and Cara picked a snowman. We came home to Odie's, ate some cheesie crisps, and made a fabulous mess having a great time painting. Me and Odie painted river rocks. I was amazed at how relaxing it was to just sit and paint. The girls were silent as they painted too. It was a fun fun day! Thanks Odie for lettin' us tag along with you today! HUGS and KISSES!!

Men are soooo competative!!

I will give you ONE guess at what you think Kris and Grant are doing......YEP you are right! Kris sat outside every few evenings with Grant working on "Grants Pinewood Derby" car!! Who's car? Oh yeah, Grants! I almost forgot already. It was funny because Kris was the first one of the neighbors who started on the car (that I noticed). Then after a few days, I noticed the next door neighbor doing the same thing sitting outside working on "his sons" car. And a few days later, two houses down, they were outside in the garage working on "their sons" car. Dad's take it so personally when it comes to the Pinewood Derby and having "thier son" win! Kris only has this last one to do, and then, no more Pinewood Derby cars to make....ever. I keep telling him to tell the Elders Quarem President that they need to do an "adult" race to get the competitiveness going between the men, and not the boys. It is neat to see them work so hard and be sooo meticulous about a piece of balsa wood. Kris gets really into the design and shape and aerodynamics of it all.......FUNNY to me! I am proud that he at least takes the time to care about it and to spend the time working with our boys on projects together. I love that about him.

Hey Grant, hand me that tool

Every little detail has to be "perfect"

Lolly was caught "red handed" eating MY toast while I was taking pictures of the boys. DEAD MEAT!! I absolutely LOVE toast, but I only eat it with homemade bread. Weird I know, but I could survive on the stuff......oh, and with homemade peach, plum, cherry or raspberry jam!! YUMMY for my tummy! I am hungry just thinkin' about it!

100th day of school

Lolly came home from school sportin' these "cool specks" that she had made today because it was the 100th day of school. She knows the routine, and I got a picture, and Cara was standing there patiently awaiting her turn to get her picture taken. WHAT HAVE I DONE TO MY KIDS?? I wouldn't have it any other way. These pictures are priceless to me and they will be able to see how much their mother loved them by documenting their "every breath" as Aaron puts it. My mother was the same way with pictures, and I hated always taking pictures, but am grateful for them now. Like I said, welcome to my life.........through the lens of my camera!

Aren't those so cute?

Has to be and do everything "just like Lolly"

What is that look for? They are NOT your glasses and you are NOT ruining them! Lolly will be sad!

Play day again

The twins came over to play again today. It seems like we are seeing them lots lately. We will take whatever we can get of them because sometimes it is weeks when we don't even see them at all. Of course the main item of play was the trampowaleen. Oh, and Leah did not let go of her "princess Fiona" the whole time. She got that ratty doll from a neighbor. It was their doll but Leah absolutely LOVED it and so they gave it to her. I tease her constantly about it. I am bad, I know, but she is sooo funny when I tease her. Emma obviously didn't want her hair done today! She is hillarious some times.

Leah and "princess Fiona". Love the cock-eyed piggy tails!

Emma and Cara's Disney Princess boom box that is soooo annoying, and of course they all fight over the dang thing! Don't you just love the "do" she is sportin'?

Cara with a matching Emma "do". Total rats! She must have snaked the radio from Emma.

Leah and Emma

Girls Night Out

I got a call when I was at Skateland with the family. It was my favorite girls.....the "spice girls"! They were heading to the movies and then to Kim's house to do a Valentine craft. Kris was such a sweetie and let me leave the "family activity" and head off to meet up with the girls. We saw 27 Dresses. It was such a fun girlie movie! Then we headed home to change into jammies and go over to Kim's. We made scrapbook wall hangings for Valentines Day, and boy were they CUTE!! Thanks girls for the fun evening, and Kim for letting us destroy your table!

Molly, Kim and Kris you are sooo cute!

Check out Melissa, Molly and Kris.....they have TOOLS! Watch out Toolbelt Diva!

Me and Melissa obvioisly having WAY TOO MUCH FUN! I guess at 2:30 in the morning the brain gets kinda goofy!

Eat your heart out MARTHA STEWART!! She ain't got nothin' on us! We just have to get the ribbon to tie them all together.....Adorable!!

Friday Night Family Fun = Skateland??

Last night was Ty's first scout outing since turning 12 last month.......GULP! They went up on the rim past Strawberry for a snow campout. Thank you Stacie for saving my hide when I could not find any snow clothes, socks, gloves, and shoes. She came through at the last minute. I called everyone who had a child the same age as Ty looking for snow stuff to borrow. No one but my favorite Stacie came through, in fact most of them didn't even own snow stuff. I mean for heavens sake, we live in ARIZONA! It only snows about as much as it rains....NEVER! Well, this week they got quite a bit of snow and so were headed up for a overnighter. Please pray that my son comes home safe! (Am I having issues with letting go of him or what?) Well the other rugrats had begged me all week long to go to Skateland for the School Spirit night. Skateland? I grew up down the road from Skateland and went to elementary school a block away at Lincoln Elementary. That place is in the "ghetto" now. I tried to tell them that the darn place had burned down when I was a teenager. Total lie, but it was a good try huh? It was a hot hangout when I was growing up, but definately not now. Was the place still in existance? Mommy guilt was setting in fast and so I convinced Kris to come along for a Friday night "Family Night" experience. Lolly and Cara have never skated, so we were in for a fun night. Grant wanted roller blades, and we opted for the "old fashioned" skates of my day for Lolly and Cara. Kris was such a good sport and laced up too. I think he had a better time than he thought he was gonna have. In fact, I saw him break away from the kids and do a little "roller derby" moves to the music. I was really amazed at how quickly the girls caught on to skating. There were kids the same age as Cara, and they lasted about ten minutes before whining and being done with the whole experience. She is such a strong willed little girl, and skated the whole time, and without any whining. She did soooo good. Lolly got a little frustrated because she had never skated before and was seeing her friends have an easier time at it than her. She only came home with a couple of bruises to show for her efforts. But all in all, we had a really good time. We will definately have to do that again!

Daddy helping Cara get her skates on. She was sooo excited!

Poor Lolly took some falls before gettin' the hang of skating. Daddy was really patient with helping her learn.

Out on the "dance floor" baby! Boy does it bring back memories.....long live the 70's and roller skating! Just ask me and Sherry about the Christmas we got new skates!! We remember it like it was yesterday.

Cara caught wind of all the video games on her potty break. She was having so much fun!

Honor Roll Kids

Kris and I just cannot tell you how thankful that our kids do well at school. I would have a hard time everyday they come home from school if they had to have hours and hours of help understanding their homework. Grant is so good to come straight home and get his homework done and signed. He wants to head out the door and play till it is time to come in for dinner. He knows the routine and just is a "get it done" kid. Lolly on the other hand "lollygags" and you have to "gently remind" her, so that she is aware of the goal of playing with the friends who keep knocking at the door. She does not struggle with it, just sometimes takes her time. Ty is at the middle school and has been doing well considering the jump from elementary school and all the fun that entails....six different classes and being more responsible for ALL the work/homework it brings. This morning I was headed off to the school for the Honor Roll/Student of the Month assembly. I cannot tell you how much easier it is for me being only five houses in from the school. I am not always a punctual person, so every little extra second counts when I am getting ready. (I am NOT a morning person either!) Well, I was thinking that they were doing the younger grades first so I had even more time to spare. NOPE, this time they did the older grades first and I totally missed them calling Grants name and to get a pic of him on the stage. LOSER MOM!! I did make it there minutes after and was able to see them call Lolly. Grant was Student of the Month and was on Honor Roll. Lolly made Principals Honor Roll. Principals Honor Roll is when you get 95% or better in ALL of your chore subjects, where as Honor Roll is 90% or better. Lolly loves that you get a "Simonton Stallions" cup and a coupon for a free Cold Stone ice cream for the extra work in getting on Principals Honor Roll. We are sooo proud of our kids!

We are proud of you and love you Grant!

Lolly getting her awards, just passing the Principal Mrs. Griffin

We are proud of you and love you too Lolly! and you too Cara! (with a mouthful of Cheezits)

Biker Chicks

Since Lolly got a new bike for Christmas, she is always out and about with the girls on the street. Hanna is right next door, and is always up for playin' or ridin'. I am really blessed to live in this neighborhood where I know my children have a ton of kids to grow up with, who all have great families with good morals and values.

Headin' off to find the rest of the girlies

Lolly and Hanna

TRIPLETS!!!

Yes, my mother has thoroughly enjoyed having the three girls so close together. She will find something cute, and HAS TO get three of them. Leah and Emma came over today and so Cara ran in, changed her clothes, (of course!) and came out wearing the exact shirt. She has the same brown cords, but wanted to wear her jeans. I, of course ran for my camera. (shocker I know?)

Have you ever seen anything CUTER??

Triple the fun.......and naughtyness! Just look at Caras face, she is up to somethin'

Leah Kate and Emma Jane