Memorial Day 2009

Every year we get the opportunity to go to a family BBQ with the REES family. Grandpa Hal and his 5 brothers and their families. We first make a trip up to the Croydon cemetery to visit Grandpa Hal. Kristian was cute. We tell him that Grandpa Hal lives up in the stars with Aunt Christy, and Heavenly Father, so when we said we'd be going to see Grandpa Hal, he said, "and Heavenly Father too?"... such a sweet boy. It is a hard thing to fully comprehend...
Hal Royal Rees: March 1, 1950 - March 6, 1990

After the cemetery we went back to the Rees Ranch for lunch and activities. The food was great! The family was even better, and the kids had a great time playing outside. I decided a slide show was the best way to show the days events. Kristian couldn't get enough of the "Pony-Horse" that was there giving rides. Even when it wasn't his turn for a ride on the pony, he would still walk next to it while the other kids had their turn. They played in the sand box, and the little playhouse. They kicked the ball, played with water balloons and squirt guns, and had a turn at the fish pond. (Kristian was excited about the truck he won). They had a fun time running and playing and were completely exhausted by the time we finished and decided to head home. It was a great way to spend Memorial Day and we're so glad we were able to spend some time with the Rees Family! It was great seeing everyone and their growing families!

Day Care

So.. I have been offered an opportunity to run a little day care in my home. A good friend of mine was looking for someone reliable, that she felt she could trust to help watch her kids 3 days a week. So... I accepted the challenge! I will be watching 4 kids under 3 1/2. Do you think I can do it?! We'll see!!
Kayleann is 2 1/2 years old

Ryker is 3 months
Here I've got the kids ready for bed, watching a movie, getting calmed down for bed...
So: Kristian 3 1/2 years, Kayleann 2 1/2 years, Addison 18 months, Ryker 3 months.

Le Mans

This last weekend out at Miller Motor Sports Park was the LeMans race. Jon worked out there Thursday and Saturday. He's usually able to get 2 tickets for which ever race day he is working. So Jon's little brother Scottie went with me (he has never been out to the race track before).. we had a great time! My favorite by far was the mix classes: You saw everything from Ferrari, Porsche, Open Wheel Cars, Ford GT 400,...it was great! These were the best pictures I could get with my camera... plus its a little tricky getting the timing down just right when those cars pass by going as fast as they do. It was a beautiful day and sun was shining brightly..we got the sunburn to prove it! It was a great break for Jon to work a day at the race track since he's been working so hard with his clinicals for his Paramedic program.

These were my 2 favorite cars to watch on the track:
Ferrari
FORD GT 400
The Pits.. Last year when I came with Dave to the World Super Bike (much bigger deal) they have all the pits blocked off and unless you had a special VIP pass you couldn't walk back there..so it was fun to be able to walk back and see where all the "behind the scenes" action takes place.
Jon--out in the Fire and Rescue Truck in the middle of the truck..this is as close as I could zoom in. He basically sits in his truck and waits for someone to crash! Well.. and they do help sweep areas of the track between races, but basically they are there to pick up the pieces when someone crashes.
Patron GT3 -- Porsche Series
Ferrari Pit ... I didn't realize how much they take the cars apart.
Open Wheel Cars
Star Mazda Championship - this is the last race we stayed for. We were headed for some food and all the cars were lined up getting ready to head out on the track. I took a video, the best I could standing behind people, because I thought Kristian would love seeing all the cars.

Happy Mother's Day!

No one can ever prepare you for just how hard it is to be a mother:

Diapers, spit-up, vomit, spilled milk, spilled juice. Dirt, spiders, and worms. Grass stains, skinned knees, and bruises. "Don't hit your sister!" .."Give that back!".."Sit down!!"
Time outs, bath times, and bedtimes. Tears, fevers, late nights, no sleep, and when you do finally get to sleep...early risers! Chicken nuggets, hot dogs, and grilled cheese. Apple juice, milk, and sippy cups.
It seems like each day brings a new challenge, frustration, obstacle, and moments where you find yourself saying: "I'm not cut out for this! I'm not meant to be a mother! There are obviously better and more qualified people out there to do this job for me! What was I thinking?"
.....
BUT THEN YOU GET:


First smiles, first words, crawling, rolling over, first steps, and the first tooth. You have the power to heal with a single kiss to an owie. You make things all better with a bandaid and a hug. No one else does it quite like mom! Learning to ride a bike, tie a shoe, dress yourself, and go potty like a big kid.

You get the: "I love you Mom!" .."You're beautiful".. Ladybugs, and dandelions. Cuddles, kisses, and hugs. Story time, bed times, and bathtime. Birthdays and Christmas! Trips to the park, long morning walks, and you always get to rediscover your imagination: chasing dinosaurs, being a puppy, or a horse, and building forts/castles out of blankets, pillows, and boxes. Books, puzzles, and games.
AND you get to see the world in all its wonder and splendor through the eyes of a child.

No one can fully prepare you for the hard times and struggles that come with being a mom...and no one can ever fully understand the joy, love, and endless BLESSINGS you receive by simply being a mom.

Motherhood is not for the weak! It takes an amazing kind of woman to take on the job! I want to wish you all a very Happy Mother's Day and remind you all of what an important job you're doing! You're an amazing, strong, and beautiful woman. You are the WORLD'S GREATEST MOM!!

Addie's Silly Face!

We thought that every time we caught Addison making this face that it was the funniest thing ever. Apparently she gets it from her Aunt Sarah who, when playing with her Barbie's, would squeeze them really tight and make this same face. So we've resorted to calling it the Sarah Face! The only time I can get her to do it really well is when we're in the tub! Such a cutie!!
This is the before picture, of our sweet little Addison:

This is the "CRAZY FACE"

Don't Take My Picture

I don't know why I found this so funny, but it was getting late, so the tired/onery phase was setting in, but this was such a funny reaction I thought I'd share!
I apologize that it is so shaky, Addison was sitting on my lap and kept trying to take the camera... so sorry its so bouncy.