We got to celebrate Ryan's birthday on Tuesday. It was complete with balloons and streamers and good food. Oh, yeah and a really good cake. Ryan's grandparents came to share dinner with us and it was so nice to be able to visit with them. The kids loved decorating the house for their Dad. We sure love you Ryan, hope you enjoyed your birthday!!!
Our family is and always has been (serious sarcasm here, please take note) at the height of the fashion scene. We truly see it as our job to seek out and find the newest and latest fashions to share with those less fashion minded as us. Take Wyatt for example, he is sure hot pink, low top gogo boots are sure to be "IN" this summer. Paired with a little summer romper you are sure to look smashing!!
Even perfect for on the go!! Business or play. Versatility is always a huge plus!!
Our resident fashioniesta goes more for the cowboy/redneck look. Pink and brown cowgirl boots must be worn on the wrong feet and layering of clothes finishes off the look. Be sure to add lots of patterns and colors. It is so pleasing to the eye!! 
She would also recommend leaving your hair in the same style for multiple days in a row to get just the perfect bedhead look. And between you and me people pay dang good money to look as stylin' as this chica!! All they really have to do is not do their hair!! It is a fashion secret, only a few people know, and you heard it here first!!
We hope you have gotten a jump start on your summer wardrobe planning!! You can thank us when you receive all those wonderful compliments that are sure to come!! Until next time.....
While we were in Lewiston this last weekend we took the chance to go mushrooming. This was my first time going to find wild mushrooms even though my other family members have gone quite a bit. My kids were happy to get outside and enjoy a little different scenery. We were looking for Morel mushrooms. The area we had stopped to look had just been recently logged and it was a little drier than we would have liked. It wasn't as easy to find the mushrooms but the kids had fun anyways.
Ayden found several, but my BIL Jeff was the master hunter. He stayed out much longer than the rest of us and therefore he found the most. Funny how that works!!
Meysa asked about 20 minutes after we got there if we could go. She was done looking for the that elusive mushroom. That is until she realized she could collect flowers. Those were more to her liking.
Some of our group gave up on mushrooms and took up hunting for flowers. They are prettier, but I don't think they taste so good.
As for myself I went in search of the urban legend, the Sasquatch. I think I'll submit this photo as evidence that he truly exists.
My brother Andy was trying to entice Lauryn to give him a kiss and in return he would get her out of the truck. You can tell by the look on her face that she was having nothing to do with any of that. 
All of our yahoos!! They loved climbing on this fallen tree. It was a nice day to get outside. The kids had fun playing and we certainly enjoyed the fruits of our labor. Eating the tasty mushrooms for dinner that night. I'll have to see if there are places around here for us to go mushroom hunting. The kids and I had a great time.
I went to Lewiston this last weekend to welcome home my baby brother from his mission. He has served in the Fiji Suva mission for the last two years. It doesn't seem like it has been two years already. I was big-fat pregnant with Wyatt when he left. Time sure is cruising. Anyway, his flight got in at 10pm Thursday night and with the airport in Lewiston being so small, our large family took over the place. You would have thought that Austin was the only person on that flight. I think there were maybe a handful of other people there waiting for the other passengers. He was basically on the plane for almost 24hrs straight and was exhausted but he humored us with hugs and smiles all around.
My mom would have made any offensive tackle proud by the way she bolted through anyone in front of her to get to her missionary first. And if you know my mom you know that isn't typical for her but I don't blame her one bit. I would have done the same thing!!
My Dad was happy to see his youngest home as well.
And then he was attacked by a gang of children. To say the least he was a little shell shocked. He kept looking around like he couldn't believe that he was really home. We are so glad he is home with us now. We spent the weekend soaking him up. He shared a lot about the people and culture of Fiji, what life was like for him there and how the missionary work was. He spoke yesterday in church and bore a simple yet powerful testimony of being obedient. There are wonderful blessings to be had by being obedient. We had so much fun with him. My kids loved all the gifts that he brought home for them. Ayden and the some of the other nephews got LavaLavas. LavaLavas are a traditional skirt that the men in Fiji wear. Austin was allowed to wear these on his mission as well. The one that Ayden is wearing is a dress Lava Lava, he and the other boys who got them wore them to Church on Sunday just like their Uncle Austin. They were pretty excited about it, but Ayden was a little hesitant about wearing it at first because he wasn't sure how to not show his underwear. After a quick tutorial from Uncle Austin he felt confident that he could wear it and still be modest. Normally for church and especially the missionaries, they would wear white shirts, ties and sandals with the Lava lavas. Ayden didn't have sandals so he wore his socks and shoes. 
I am excited to watch Austin as he readjusts to normal life here in the good 'ole US of A. I already gave him some pointers about approaching girls and what not to say to them because Fijian culture is sooooo very different from ours and I don't want him to scare off all the girls. So hopefully the tips I gave him will prove useful. I am so proud of him and I soo glad he is home!!!
This little thing is FOUR years old today!! I don't know where the time has gone but she is growing up right before my eyes. We celebrated her birthday on Saturday so her Daddy could be there. She wanted pizza for dinner and we had ice cream cones for dessert. Today we are making Pink Cupcakes for the birthday girl to enjoy!! I know I have already said this, but I'll say it again. I love this little miss like nothing else. I am so glad she is mine. Happy Birthday Lauryn!!!
I was woken up at 6:25 this morning by a little girl frantic to find her pink pen. My sleep deprived husband sleeping next to me didn't budge. I guess my day has started. My kids need baths and breakfast to get ready for church. I need a shower. It needs to be quiet so Dad can sleep so he can attempt to be awake tonight for work. I get to take all four kids to church by myself, again. Today is Mother's Day. You wouldn't think it from the sounds of it. Well I am chosing to look at it from the angle of, I get to be woken up by a pink crazed child with blonde hair and blue eyes. I get to teach my children how important it is go to church with your best on (and at your cleanest) and to teach my children that in church is where you need to be on a beautiful Sunday morning. Mother's Day has always been a day that makes me stop and think how grateful I am for my mom (she's the best) and also how thankful that I am to be a Mom. It is a hard job, but was anything of real value ever easy to come by? My children are of a divine value that can't be counted in numbers or dollar signs. I sure am lucky to have them in my life. Lucky that Heavenly Father thought I would be careful enough with his precious spirit children. The lessons I have learned about myself by being a mother, I don't think would have come any other way!!
I wanted to share this video on Mother's Day because when watching it I am reminded of the perspective that I should have about my life. That I am blessed to be living, to have a family and especially to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. What a strength Stephanie has been to me and to countless others who have heard her story. If she can be positive, then so can I.
You can follow Stephanie's blog at www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com.
Happy Mother's Day!!!