Football Player

I think he looks like a little football player.

So cute! 

 Er...I mean, handsome and rugged.

Time Out for Women 2011

This is me and my cool friend Jen. 

We had the opportunity to go to Time Out for Women in Reno on the weekend of Oct 14th - 15th. 

It was so nice to get away and recharge.

I left all my kids at home with Jason.  She left her oldest three with her hubby and brought her newest little addition, Mason.  He was so pleasant and easy the whole time.

The theme was Choose to Become, and the scripture to go with that is: "All things are possible to him that believeth." -Mark 9:23

We were blessed to hear from some amazing people: 

Matthew Baldwin

Kris Belcher

Laurel Christensen

Amanda Dickson

Virginia H. Pearce

Macy Robinson

Anthony Sweat

Emily Watts

Hillary Weeks

Click HERE to read their bios.

Each had his or her own special qualities and messages. 

It was the perfect thing for me!

I really needed a boost like this, especially after my crazy-long battle with post-partum depression.

Thank you to the TOFW presenters for inspiring me, my awesome friend for coming with me, and my sweet husband for holding down the fort while I was gone!

Here are some more fun and random pictures from our weekend:

Dinosaurs on Highway 80!

Trying to take an elevator picture in the mirrored ceiling.

Oh my gosh...good thing we didn't have any of our big kids with us.  They would have rummaged through all the overpriced snack tray goodies and then we would have been charged for them.

We HAD to stop at Cabela's!

The legendary Jackalope!

Jen's looking fierce.

Okay, so my "fierce" isn't very scary.

The aquarium.

Mason loved looking at the fish.

Chillax'n in the mini camping chair.

This was just a few minutes after Mason rolled over for the first time.

(Jen, I'll let you tell everyone about that on your own blog. hint hint)

Math Madness

Everyday Samantha asks me math questions. 

"Mom, what's 198 plus 237?"

"Mom, what 18 plus 63?"

"Mom, what 502 plus 125?"

So last night I showed her how to line up the numbers and then add them up one column at a time.  She thought it was amazing!!

I gave her one math problem after another and she solved each one correctly.

Obviously I didn't give her any numbers that she'd have to carry over.  She's not there yet.

At school she's doing +1 and +0 math, so I thought this was pretty awesome!

When we were done, she came up with this one all by herself.

My little brainiac.

Jake's 1st Birthday

A few months ago, Samantha told me that Jake really wanted a Robot birthday party.  Funny...since he can't talk, but she was absolutely sure of it.

So, that's what we did....and it turned out so cute!

 Here are some of the robot snacks and decorations. 

They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself.

 Goodie Bags!

 Robbie the Robot!

We had so much fun with this little Robot photo booth.

 "I'd love to stay and chat, but I really moustache."

 This is all that Alison really wanted to eat.  Cheetos!

 Cake!  Fire!  Awesome!

 "Um yeah...I'm digg'n this whole cake thing."

 "Don't be look'n at me like that!  You'd be grubb'n too. 

 It's so good!"

"Love'n it Mom!!!"

 "Gotta get every bit off the plate!  Give me more!!"

I tried to make it like a green/blue marble effect.

  Samantha and Alison gave him some Wheelies cars

and made cute robot cards for him.

 He was very excited about his birthday present!

 Can you tell?

 "Come on Dad!  Hurry up and put it together."

 Me and my handsome little man.

I just love this guy so very much!

 Aunt Jamie and Jakey.

 Playing with his new toy.

Robot Jakey!

 Heck yeah!

 My SIL Jamie and MIL Karen.

 "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to!"

Okay, he was a little tired.

 I couldn't help it....just had to.

Okay, I'm a dork.



Discovery Kingdom Fright Fest

During the month of October there's a big Fright Fest at Discovery Kingdom.  It's too scary at night for little ones so we went during the day when they'd be able to trick or treat with the characters.

Alison especially loves the train rides.

Jake loved holding the map!

Jake loved the fish!!

Alison was afraid on the Frog Hopper, so Sam reached back and held her hand.

Such a sweet big sister.

Jason kept pretending to barf on Sam.  He thought it was hilarious.  She didn't.

The hay maze.  Okay, so actually it was more of a hay path.

Shouka!

This fountain usually has dophins and is spraying water, but during Fright Fest, it's....

BLOOD!!!

Okay, maybe not.  But it looked cool!