Busy Little Bees

Well we've actually been quite busy this week! We went to the splash pad at San Tan Mall with Farrah and her kiddos. We also saw Toy Story 3. It was really good. I hate to admit but I cried at the end when Andy was explaining all of his toys to that little girl. It was just so sad, him leaving for college. It made me think about Riley leaving and how quickly children grow. Riley liked the movie but it bothered him when Buzz was re-set and mean.

The primary activity was awesome! We had a great turn out and I think the kids had lots of fun. It was exciting to watch them play kick ball and then slip n' slide into home base. After the activity my nephews Trey, Kyson and Ridge came over to play. They had so much fun. Here is a movie of them playing Just Dance on the Wii. They were still in their swimming suits from the primary activity.

Vern also started at his new job!! He is driving a truck hauling parts and stuff. We are really excited here. His last job he had was over year ago and it was only for 2 months. Hopefully this lasts longer. We are grateful he finally found work. I think it will take some adjusting to because he's been home for so long. We need to get back into the routine of actually having a routine and a schedule. It has been nice having him around to help with the kids and other stuff. Now back to the real world where my husband has a job!!

The "Old West" and Our Little Diva

On Sunday after dinner I was thinking to myself, I really wish we could go for a ride today. It was a perfect day to go on a ride. About two minutes after I had thought this, Vern comes in from the garage and says, "Do you want to go for a ride?" I jumped out of the chair and started grabbing the kids so we could go. Sometimes I just need out of the house. Even if it is just to ride in the car. So we drove to the Gold Canyon area. I love driving in the desert it was beautiful and both the kids fell asleep which was a bonus. So, we're out in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road with cactus on either side of us and we pass this big horse trailer on the side of the road. Riley yells at the top of this lungs from the back seat, "OH YEAH! We're in the old west!!!". We both thought he was asleep but he must have woken up just in time to see the horse trailer. I guess you would have had to be there but it was hilarious. He was so excited to be in the "old west". I'm not sure how he decided it was the old west because the horse trailer looked brand new and there was nothing else around us but cactus. But he was adamant that is was the "old west".

I am glad to say that Mattie is definitely a girly girl. I was worried a little bit because she always plays with Riley's "boy" toys. Recently, she has started showing her feminine side. This girl is already into shoes, purses and yes jewelry. If she finds her shoes around the house she has to have them put on. She especially likes her pink flip flops. Sunday before church we were all getting ready and Vern says did you put this on her? I said put what on her? He explained that Mattie was wearing a red heart necklace. She picked that out and put it on herself. This morning Vern said she demanded (not with words but by loud grunting/growling noises) that her pink flip flops be put on and then she kept hanging her pink purse on the little chair. Today at Costco when we went by the jewelry counter she got really excited and started kicking her legs and grabbing with her hands. We are in TROUBLE! She is our little diva.

I don't know why I want to tell about our trip to Costco today but I keep thinking about it and how all our shopping trips are drama. Usually Mattie refuses to ride in the basket and she refuses by repeatedly standing up in the basket even with any type of buckle on. Today however she rode in the basket. Hooray!! Only, she scratched Riley continuously until we had to pull Riley out of the basket screaming. I told her no no several times and smacked her little hand but she kept on scratching him and then would smile and laugh like it was just so cute. I don't think she understands when she is in trouble. Every time we go to Costco Riley wants to eat pizza, so we stopped for pizza and a very berry sundae. Mattie of course wanted the ice cream so I gave her bites. She somehow managed to get the spoon from me and would not give it back. All of us ended up with ice cream on us from it dripping off the spoon and her hands. I wonder why all our shopping trips always turn into drama?

TOP 10 Reasons I Love Being a MOM

Top 10 Reasons I Love Being a MOM

1. Receiving a hug and kiss from my children- Riley will give me a hug, then "nosees", then a wet kiss. Mattie will put her little arms around my neck and then pat me. I love it!

2. I love to play with them- I really like to watch them play too they are so funny!

3. I love to hold my children when they are asleep. I rarely get to hold Mattie when she sleeps but on a rare occasion I get the special chance of watching her sleep and holding her tight. When Riley was smaller I held him a lot while he slept and it was special to me.

4. I love to watch my children grow and learn new things.

5. I love my husband and how much he makes my job as being a mother easier and fun to raise our children together. I love to be together as a family, just being together it doesn't matter what we are doing.

6. I love listening to my children- Riley talks nonstop and I love to hear whatever he is saying. Mattie doesn't say many words but she makes a whole lot of noises and I love those too.

7. I love being a mom because it made my parents grandparents. They are such good grandparents.

8. I love to be apart of something so sacred and special, having these little souls come to us from Heavenly Father and be in our care.

9. I love to go places with my children- whether it is grandma and grandpa's house, the White Mountains, Disneyland, the Zoo, or the pool. Anywhere they have a good experience and I can experience it with them is the best.

10. I love being a mom because I know I can be with my family forever and I wouldn't want any less time than that . I have forever to get to know them, teach them, be with them, love them and hug them.

Summer kick off

We kicked off our summer with a trip to the Phoenix Zoo last week. It was lots of fun and the weather was great. Mattie loved the monkey's and kept trying to get past the rope barrier to get to them. She also loved a duck that was following her around. But then she didn't want anything to do with the goats at the petting zoo. Silly girl. Riley liked the monkeys and getting wet at the splash pad!

Mattie and Grandma

Riley milking a fake cow- that was weird

Mattie wanting to get away from the goats

We went up to Greer on Friday. The weather was beautiful, it was cool but not cold. We stayed in our trailer right by the cabins that the rest of the family stayed in. We played salads and Phase 10. The boys had fun riding bikes and playing around the cabins. Riley was usually Spider Man or Batman. The only thing Mattie wanted to do was open and close doors. She was fine as long as we let her open and close the screen door at the top cabin. If anyone got in her way or made her stop she had a cow. We went to the park in Eager and it was awesome. They had these slides that were a steep and really fast. Jen and I could not get enough of them. We even talked Grandpa into going down one. Monday came and we were not ready to come home. Its always a bummer when the fun has to end. Hopefully we can think of something fun to do this week so we are not just sitting at home roasting :)

These slides are amazing!!

My hair is messed up because the slides are that fast!