MY BIG FOUR YEAR OLD

My baby boy Ty turned four years old on February 13th! We decided to take him to Pirate Island because we have not been there yet and he thought it sounded like a lot of fun. It turned out to be a BLAST!!! We invited everyone in the family that wanted to join us and to our surprise we had about 30 people there. One of the gifts he got was a Bumblebee outfit he has worn it every day since.

Doesn't Ty Aunt Brooke look hot in her Pirate Hat! His cousins Logan and Beckham loved the place too they kept raiding the souvenir shop it was so funny.

Isaac looking on as Ty opens his gifts.

Here is Grandpa and the boys playing games it was hilarious Grandpa had just as much fun as they did. We ended up with 977 tickets in the end and around 600 or more were from Grandpa. It was a really good day lots of family, lots of fun, and the food was way better than Chucky Cheese, we will definitely do it again sometime. Happy Birthday to my (little sorry big boy) Ty!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME :)

January 29th was my 32nd birthday (scary that I would admit that huh?)! Life for the last couple of years have been overwhelmingly hard. Some of the hardest in my life but, I am sure not the last of hard times. But, you know what I have survived and continue to survive so yeah for me. I digress, I didn't want to go into a sob story. The reason I said that was so I can explain that for my Birthday all I really wanted was to do something fun, relaxing, and something that got my mind away from life. I got exactly what I wanted!! The day of my Birthday was pretty normal mom stuff. I did get a lot of nice texts, a visit from my wonderful in-laws, some calls, and some horrible HAPPY BIRTHDAY songs (you know who I am talking about Ryan lol). In the evening Cory and I went to Tepanyaki's for dinner ( my favorite) with my parents and we were going to go bowling afterward but, it was too long of a wait so we bought ice cream and went back to their house to play games. It was very enjoyable. We got a baby sitter for a change so it was a relaxing night. The only down fall was I didn't get to spend it with my brother Joe. His Birthday is the same day and I think other than his mission this was the first time we didn't get to see each other. It's ok though he had obligations and it get harder and harder the older we get and the bigger our families get. I did miss him though but, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOE also!! I hope he had a good day too. Plus my Birthday didn't end there the next day I was spoiled by a couple of life longs friends. My two friends that I have known for about 21 years took me out to lunch at RED LOBSTER (another favorite), they got me a really cute necklace, and then we wandered around the mall for a little bit. Once again I didn't have my kids I love them but , it was nice to be without them for a few days. Then one of the most wonderful things of all was usually when I come home (when dad is in charge) the house is... to say the least a disaster. This time it was spotless!!!! Cory spent the time I was gone cleaning the whole house toilets and everything. It was beeaauutiful:) I know that to someone else my Birthday didn't seem like a BIG party but, I thought it was perfect. I had loved ones around me and it was very peaceful and stress free. So THANKS to all who thought of me, I luv ya!:)

CHRISTMAS VACATION

This holiday season Ashton had a first, he lost his first tooth!!! Then just a few days later he lost another! So he really did want his two bottom teeth for Christmas. He didn't even cry or fuss when it started to bleed all he said was ouch and he actually pulled the first tooth out all by himself. The second one came out with the help of Uncle Joe and his dental floss trick, THANKS Joe:)

Jordyn is enjoying a book that she got from her G-pa and G-ma Russell for Christmas. She loves to climb up on this chair I think she thinks that it is her Princess Throne.
I love this picture of Cory:) This is what he was doing when the kids were seeing what Santa brought them for Christmas. The funny thing is I didn't know what he was so tired about. Mrs. Claus did all the shopping, wrapping, and laying things out. We had a very nice Christmas and I hope everyone else did too!!!

After Christmas during the break the natives were getting restless so we decided to take them sledding. It was their first time outside of our yard. They loved it! I think Ashton is going to like snowboarding because without any encouragement he stood up on his sled and went down the hill. I little comacozy(sp?) but he thought it was a blast, plus the place that we went sledding had a snowboarder doing some short runs and jumps and he thought that was soooo cool. He had asked several times since to have dad take him snowboarding. Maybe next year, Can I wait until he is at least SIX?

Ty had a lot of fun too but, I am not sure if it was from the sledding or from the eating of the snow(what is up with this kid). It was like pulling teeth but, I convince my "snow bunny" into letting Ashton take a picture of us.

Oh and by the way HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone!!!!!!!!!!! I hope this year brings everyone SINCERE JOY, PEACE OF MIND, A TRUE LOVE OF FAMILY AND LIFE, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR LORDS PLAN FOR US:)

A CHRISTMAS FAVORITE

Last night the Slade Family(minus my oldest brother and his family) went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. I feel like the Christmas season isn't complete until you do that, it is one of my favorite things to do. We all went to dinner before, then went and saw the lights, and then my little family got hot chocolate after. It was a perfect evening. Everyone was happy (including the kids) and we had a lot of fun!

Sorry my camera isn't a professional one and I am definitely not a professional so take that into consideration when you see the pictures:)

Jordyn looks like a little boy because she is wearing hand me downs from her brothers. A very cute girly coat is on her Christmas list to Santa. Don't get me wrong she was still adorable in her "Christmas Story" pose and her curls coming out of her hat.

SOME CATCH UP

So I have not done a post in a couple of months because I lost my card reader and was hoping to find it. I finally gave up and went and bought another one. Life has been crazy! I am now realizing what other moms are talking about when they say there just isn't enough hours in the day to get everything done. With two kids now in school with opposite schedules and trying to fit in a nap schedule as well my days are so hectic. I have been doing the basic mom things, trying to keep my house from looking like a tornado hit it 24/7 , dealing with bills and very difficult debt collectors, putting our house up for sale, welcoming three new nieces into the family(I am so happy for all of them but very excited it is not me), trying to do my best to be a happy positive person, helping others where and when I can, and working on my Christmas shopping to name a few things. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE BEEN BUSY!!! I did want to do some catch up pictures though so the next few post are mainly for me and my memories, and for you all to see what we have been up to.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO MY #1 VETERAN

On Veterans day I got the opportunity to go up to our State Capitol. My father was one of the main fundraisers to get the Vietnam Memorial built. This Memorial Day he was asked to speak at the re dedication. I am very Proud of my father's service in the military. He has been asked on several occasions to speak and I try to go as much as I can because I enjoy it so much. He has served our country for many years and has done his very best to do everything that he can to make this a better country. My Father was drafted into Vietnam just a couple of months after returning home from his mission. Then he was out of the military for around ten years and decided to go back in. One out of many reasons he returned was that he wanted to teach the new soldiers going out what he learn being at war so that there lives may be saved. I feel a great sense of Patriotic Pride for this country and for the men and women who fight to maintain our freedoms. My Father as instilled upon me a great love and respect for what we all have living in the United States of America. I love him very much and will always be proud of his service and example. Happy Veterans Day Dad!

THE GOINGS ON OF ASHTON

I thought that Ashton was past this stage but I was wrong. I had my first child to give themselves a hair cut pretty isn't it. The good thing about boys is we just shaved his head. The day that Jordyn does it to her beautiful locks I think I may cry.

At Ashton's school they had a fundraiser. They kids were asked to sale cookies to raise money for the school. So we ask the grandparents, some aunt and uncles, and of course we bought a few. The total amount sold was only eight boxes of cookies but, Ashton ended up being one of the top twenty kids that sold the most. For a reward the Principal let the top twenty kids get into a money machine and try to catch as much money as they could. Ashton was able to catch three dollars ( I don't think he quite got the concept). Hey but he was thrilled and when he got out the Principal gave him another seven dollars. He didn't want anyone going home with less than ten. It was so fun to watch and Ashton was so excited!!! I was so proud.