Matt, the smartie pants

Just wanted to tell all of my 3 blog readers (one of those already knows this) that my brother-in-law, Matt is quoted in June's Redbook. See if you can find it. It's in the summer health section. Go Matt!!

Last Day of School and Goodbyes

Yesterday was the kids last day of school. I really can't believe it! As much as I love for them to be in school, I am really looking forward to this summer. Lots of swimming and hanging out with friends! Although, it will have to wait for about 2 weeks because this morning at 5:45 they pulled out of town with my parents to go to Disney World!!! They are going to have so much fun! I'm a little concerned about missing them terribly while they are gone! 2 weeks! What? I don't even know what to do first. I wanted to go on and on this morning about how much I would miss them but Emily was already crying before my parents arrived. Ridgedon told me this morning he would only miss me a little. They would be having too much fun. So needless to say, I kept my mouth shut and let out a big sigh as the 5th wheel left my street. So I'll say it here. I WILL MISS YOU GUYS SOOOOOO MUCH! I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR ALL ABOUT YOUR TRIP WHEN YOU GET BACK!!!

Okay so the pictures are from the first day of school and then yesterday on the last day of school! Happy Summer!!

Natie Bug

Her celebration dance after opening a present at her party. Very subtle, Natalie!

Okay I'm in massive post mode today. So I wanted to do a little post about Natalie (aka. Natie Bug, Bug, Bugster, Purple Pickle Eater, Nat) Natalie is my middle child and she is definitely the drama queen of the group. A good Drama Queen!! She turned 8 in April and is really beginning to come into her own. She is my passionate child. Not afraid to hold back and say what she is feeling to those of us close to her. In public she is a little more reserved but still very outgoing. She is in gymnastics right now and about to get a little more serious with it. She is truly one of the funniest people I know. She can make us all belly laugh on a regular basis. She has this (for lack of a better term) evil laugh that can make you come undone!!! Wouldn't do it any justice to try and explain it here on the blog but trust me! She is a lover! She loves hugs and snuggles and loves to give them as well. She is a true friend and always tries to get others to do the right thing. She has a smile that will melt your heart. She is a great big sister to Ridgedon and I know she will be to Adiah as well. She loves to do things her big sister is doing. You'll often catch her saying and doing things just like Emily. Emily may not like that too much but it says alot about their bond with each other. Natie Bug, I love you very much! You make me smile every day! I love Jesus in you!

P.S. One of our favorite Natalie stories is about a Christmas present she got when she was 2 1/2 yrs old. She got a Baby Shu Shu and loved it. She wouldn't put it down for days. When we were finally going home after Christmas was over we were loading a trailor with all of our stuff. Natalie pitched her Baby Shu Shu into the back of the trailer with a disgusted look on her face. My brother in law, Matt, said "Natalie, we don't throw our babies into the back of the trailer." Natalie responded with "That baby has been crying in my face all day!".....Alright, then.

Lost tooth

Well, my baby boy lost his first tooth last night. I really can't believe it! Actually this is a funny story. My family knows this but you know how most people have four middle teeth before their canine (or whatever they are called..I'm no dentist) teeth start? Well Ridge only had three. I know it sounds funny. Really he had four but two of them were fused together. The dentist says that when he looks at his x-rays there are four adult teeth underneath. Whew! Anyway, he lost what we lovingly call "freak tooth" last night. It was a wonderful, family event. I really don't do well with wobbly teeth so my oldest daughter, Emily, wiggled it for awhile and then Brian came in and did the deed. All this was happening while they were supposed to be sleeping. Interesting!! Well, the tooth fairy paid a visit to his pillow and he was so excited to wake up to a golden dollar and lots of "fairy dust". So here are some pictures of the missing tooth.

Oh, Canada...eh?

Me and Brian in front of Bow River...Marilyn Monroe filmed a movie here...so we were told.
Beautiful scenery!!
This is the famous Banff Springs Hotel where the conference was being held. Unfortunately we are still residents and couldn't afford to stay here. But man, it was nice!
This is the Gondola ride we took up to the top of the mountain. We could see down into the town of Banff from the top. Of course I about peed my pants going up...not joking!

Brian and I just returned from Banff, Alberta, Canada on Sunday. We had so much fun! We went because Brian was presenting some research he had done at the S.O.A.P. convention(Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology). Sounds pretty impressive, right? It was nice to see my husband in his "work" environment. I kept thinking..."he is so smart". Anyway, it was absolutely gorgeous there! Mountains and snow everywhere. Even on the last day I was still marveling at the world around me. Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful creation!

I'd like to give a shout out to my parents who kept the kids for us while we are gone. Not an easy task, I know! So here are a few pictures...enjoy!

Burn24-7 | Igniting the Soul

How can it be?

Truly...I don't understand how sometimes time seems to stand still. And then there are times like this morning that I am in tears because I can't believe that my baby is about to finish his kindergarten year. Seriously, I don't get it. But as the years washed over me while I watched my son sing a song to the new kindergarteners for next year, I realized how important it is to cherish every moment. ( I know there has got to be a song that would fit this moment...ooh I know...Cherish by Kool and the gang. I'm so dating myself!!) My kids are at the age where they very well could want me to stay at least 10 ft. behind them while we are walking to school because they are embarrassed but they don't! Every night I still get about 20 "I love you's" from them. Although my son, Ridge, likes to wipe off my kisses. He thinks they are gross. But I tell him that when he thinks he is wiping my kisses off....He is actually rubbing them in! Clever! I have some of the best children in the world! I think I need to do a post for each of my them. Keep an eye out for those. Anyway, during the program this morning for the new kindergarteners, Ridge had a solo part, and I'll leave you with it.

I like Workstations. Working on the computers is fun!

Rock on!