Birthday girl

Recently I got to celebrate another birthday. We really like birthdays in this house and celebrate birthday month, week, eve, day and even post days :)

I didn't know what picture to put on the blog to celebrate MY birthday. Then I came across this picture. I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

It was taken last fall when we went to Disneyland and the beach. That was such a fun perfect evening together. In this picture everyone was running on the beach in pure happiness. Our kids had never been to the beach before and absolutely loved this new experience. I can still hear their laughter and picture the smiles on their faces.

It reminds me that it is okay to get a little older because I truly enjoy my life (past and present) and am excited to enjoy the future. My days right now are crazy, busy, frusterating and amazing. I have a wonderful husband and four kids that teach me every day about life. All five of them teach me how to laugh, try new things, to continually work on patience, and most of all to have fun.



So another year has gone by... that's okay though right? I am starting to notice a few more lines on my face but have to keep telling myself they aren't wrinkles but laugh lines.... a sign that things have been enjoyed.

Vegas Style

We decided we needed to warm up a little and visit Las Vegas where Nate and Liz (Jim's sister) now live.

Hoover Dam- Look how excited Afton and Lilly are to be there :)


The Las Vegas Strip

I would like to say a modestly dressed family with four young kids blended in quite well on the strip.... but I can't :)

Amazement at the Bellagio

We didn't dare let the little girls roam so they were always in arms or on shoulders. Grateful for Nate and Liz to be in on toddler holding rotation. I know my arms and shoulders were very tired by the end.

Liz squared


Nate teaching Ethan all his wise wisdom

and most exciting to the kids.... a local park :)






Our main reason for coming.... no not the table but the chance to hang out with Nate and Liz. It was really nice to hang around the table each night eating chips and salsa, shakes, cookies, etc. and just talking. Thanks for hosting!

Basement progress

Although our basement is defintely still not fully functional- we have made some major progress down there. Just as a reminder, when we moved in we just had cement walls and floors.

Here is the beginnings of our home theater/ entertainment room. We have identical desks in each corner (one for family and one for Jim's business). In between the two desks we will put a couch and eventually get a TV. Plus we still need baseboards, window coverings, wall decorations, and the list goes on and on.
But how exciting is that carpet? Oh, it feels amazing!

My washroom and food storage room. It is small but does the job. I love my freezer and Shelf Reliance. I need to get one of those wire shelves to put above the washer and dryer.


Close up of Jim's great tiling skills in our shower. I like the fact Jim really wanted a bench in his shower :)


Our bathroom. Once again really small but great. I promise there is a sink in here it is just not pictured.


The kids love the big empty room to run around in and Ethan and Lizzie have had a couple sleepovers down there. Yeah for progress!!