Pumpkin Carving 101

Isn't he so cute?? Look at those little teeth coming in..
Here is Devin's sad pumkin, definetly no love spent here in carving.

Don't they look awesome all lighted up?? They are already starting to mold and halloween is tomorrow.

My funny pumpkin

Tara's is scary!

At our house we love Halloween. I know some people here in the south think it is satanic day, but I say poo on you!! When you can dress up as whatever and get candy too???!! We went to the pumpkin patch last saturday and had a ball. They had animals, a hayride, and corn to play in. We got our lovely pumpkins and we gave them all makeovers last monday. Of course I think mine is the best, but Tara is trying to take over my regin as master carver. We had to make Devin carve hers, but someday she will appreciate it. Parker wanted to carve one, but I can't let him use a knife. In a twist of fate I found a child carving knife today so next year I will let him do his own. Here our lovely pumpkins.

Well I know it has been a long while since I posted last. One of the reasons is my camera needs a new battery. I know its a lame reason, but I'm still stickin by it. Lots of things have changed in the past months.

1. Tara and Jeremy moved to Columbus (and my beautiful babies are here 24/7!!!!!!)

2. Parker started a new school with a new Autism program.

3. I will start a new job on Monday.

4. Allison is back at school and finally got her licensce back!!

5. Devin has a boyfriend who is super tall and has long hair???

These are the cliff notes on the last couple of months. I will try to post some pics soon.
Hopefully my daughter will change my background soon---hint, hint!!

Family Fun in the Sun!!!

The three amigo's dancin "under the sea"
How could this cute face, be thinking evil thoughts??

Don't hate us because we ARE beautiful!!

First Day at the Animal Kingdom.....Mary always in control asking someone to take our pic.

Well our family reunion is behind us and we are looking towards starting school very soon here. Disney was tolerable, but my time with my family was awesome!!! We started off on a rough patch picking up my parents late from the airport, but after that everything was great!! My camera battery died on the trip ( great timing huh?) but my very sweet brother in law, Nestor downloaded his photo's for me. He is so great!! Anyway here are a few pictures from our adventures at Disney.

Family Reunion

Today I am getting ready for our family vacation/reunion down at Disneyworld. I am totally stressed out about this. Having everything ready and being with my family in a very hot and humid place. Why didn't we do this in cancun?? Oh well, I will miss having two of my girls, but as they get older it gets harder to get everyone together. Wish me luck!!

Summer is almost over :(

The fourth of July is the half way point of summer. We are on the slipperly slope toward fall, school, and getting up early. What have we done this summer?? Not much to report, but we have had some good times swimming with friends, going to the park, and going to the movies. We will be going to Disney soon so that will be exciting, but very hot and humid. I am excited about seeing my family and sharing memories with them.

Today Parker had 4 teeth pulled. He was such a good boy. They actually gave a credit on our bill because he behaved so well. We need to start back getting on track with math and reading. Oh well we still have a few weeks of sleeping in!! ;)

Childhood Memories

The last couple of days have been really sad. A part of my childhood and teenage years have died. With the passing of Farrah and Michael Jackson it has made me think about how old I am getting because these two where very much a part of my life growing up. I rocked Farrah's hairstyle in middle school and thought she was so beautiful and to be married to the six million dollar man, a girl couldn't get any luckier than that. As she got older she became a little stranger to me, but I loved to watch Charlies Angels when I was growing up. What can I say about Michael Jackson?? If you say you haven't loved at least one of his songs, I can't believe it. Yeah, his personal life was bizarre and he in the last years was involved in some very upsetting things, but as an entertainer he was the King. In my mom's generation they had Elvis, we had Michael Jackson. I mean the man made MTV when I was young and they actually played videos then. I have been always told celebrities die in three's. When Ed McMahon died and then Farrah died that morning I thought who else is going to pass, but I never thought Michael Jackson. It makes me realize our time here is short so we need to do better every day.

How quickly they grow!!

She is sixteen and he is seven..... I think she is being a funny girl in this picture!
You know when you are around something all the time sometimes you don't realize how big they have grown?? Well my youngest, Parker seemed normal sized to me. I know that he has alway been a bigger child, but hey look at his dad. The other day I had Devin and Parker compare each other and wow!! Then Allison comes home from college and starts wearing Parker's socks.... were has the time gone. My baby is huge!! In my mind I can still carry him around and snuggle him. Well I guess I can still snuggle him...!!

Blondes Don't Always have more fun!!

Oh my what have we done??
She looks much better with her natural color!!

My sweet little Allison wanted to do something with her hair color. At first she just wanted to put a rinse in it to brighten it up a bit. When we got to the local drugstore she wanted to go all blonde. I don't know what I was thinking when I purchased the haircolor.. Anyway it turned out horrible!!! I feel so bad. Hopefully tomorrow we will looking a lot better, but as for today we are wearing a hat!!

A fresh new coat....

The back of the house (it just rained)
Looks awesome, huh Mary??

Our house was way overdue for a fresh new coat of paint. The wonderful thing about having a brick home is that there isn't much to paint, but unfortunately for us, the back is not brick. Anyway my sister said that I used to be trendy, but I've gotten old, but hey sister, my house colors is soooooo cutting edge. Ok, maybe not for California, but here in Georgia I am soooo cool!

Best Friends

Having Fun on the swing set
Taking turns with Wyatt

Best Friends!!

When your child has a disability it becomes even harder to make friends. As a mother it tears my heart when other children, not knowing, are mean or not friendly to my son. So when he makes a friend, it is one of the best feelings!! Parker had a best friend at school, named Wyatt. Wyatt is a sweet boy and he and Parker are the best of buddies. The problem is that Parker is going to a new school and Wyatt will move on to 2nd grade. Well I made sure that I got Wyatt's mom's number so that we can get together over the summer. We had our first playdate with Wyattt this saturday and what a great time they had. I admit I was very nervouse. I know what to do with girls, but boys ??? Also Parker has never really had many playdates so I really was unsure. Well it was great!! Here a couple of pictures. Hopefully Wyatt will call us soon so we can come over soon!!

Potty Training

Well Allison (the pet lover) has brought home a chocolate lab that she supposedly is pet sitting for John. Well this little dog, however how adorable he might be has bladder control issues. I know every puppy has to be trained, but I have never seen a dog, pee as he is walking or in his sleep. Yes, this dog pee's the bed. Trying putting him a cage for short periods to give him bladder control.....nope he pee's in his own cage. Why do we always have the "special" pets? If there was 10 dogs at the store, we would pick the one with issues... I had to laugh when reading another post about women and after babies the lack of bladder control....It is so true!! I have had four babies and now when I just think about going I'm running for the bathroom. Maybe me and the dog need to start wearing depends?

Robbed!!

Ok, I know I am way to old to watch this silly show, but it is one of my guilty pleasures. maybe because I always wanted to be able to belt out a song and not sound if kittens are being thrown off a building. Anyway all season I have loved and yes I said it loved, Adam Lambert. I have even texted votes for him. Don't even try to talk to me when he is singing. He is so awesome! Maybe because it is like a broadway show and and song all rolled into one. So, when last night they said Kris won, I was devistated. Are you kidding me??? Adam was awesome every week and kicked Kris butt vocally in the final!! I guess America is not ready for a guy that wears more make-up than most girls to be thier American Idol.. Oh, well thier loss and great for Adam because he doesn't have to record that HORRIBLE song that judge wrote!! I will be buying Adam's first CD. I hope he pulls a Chris Daughtry on them. Kris will sound like a million others on the radio..... boring!!

Only in the South!!

Only in the South!!

We jump on the trampoline with our wiener dogs!! Jeremy came by to test out Parker's new trampoline and his dog, peanut deceided that he wanted to jump too!!

Primary Temple Trip

The girls at TGIF!!

Parker is having a blast!

He is driving already!! Watch out!!

Virtual bowling was so cool!

Yes, I made him wear a tie, he will be alright!

Last saturday was very busy!!!!! The primary had a trip to the Atlanta temple. The temple will be closing in june I believe and I wanted Parker to get a last look before they do alot of renovations. It also provided me with time to go without worrying about him. He was not pleased about going and getting up early on saturday, but what can I say, he had to go. He was very excited to get to sleep on the back seat of the car. This is usually done by Devin, but since she was at the beach he got to. He actually slept on the way up and laid there all the way back. He had his seat belt on so he was saft too! He ended up being on of the very few children who came, but he was glad he did after. We raced home to get to a party at zoo city. Zoo city is an game place, but they also have bumper cars!! We didn't do the bumper cars, were going to wait for daddy to come with us. Parker was great at skee ball and virtual bowling. He loves to bowl on the wii (thanks again mom and dad). It made me very sad to realize that most of the children don't even play together, they play games instead. It made me very sad to realize none of these boys played with Parker. They don't realize just because he hops when he is excited doesn't make him any different. He is sooo lovable and would love to be your friend!!! Anyway then we left the party and I dropped Parker to his dad so I could go to girls night out!! Well mormon style anyway. We went to TGIF and had a great time. Some of the girls went to the movies too, but I was beat and still had to study. It was a great, but exhausting day!

Together Forever!!

Trying to get everyone happy for the photo is a hard job!
I am the luckiest mom to have the best, sweetest, most attractive, smart children. I am truly blessed!

This is the man who sealed us together.

Still trying for the perfect family photo! It was very cold and windy as you can tell. Still a wonderful day!

John and I were able to sealed together with Parker over the Easter weekend. It was one of the best days of my life. I had to stop myself and breathe. We were soooo busy while Tara was here I needed to realize how important this day was to me. After a friend mine unexpectedly passed away some years ago I realized that I needed to get "my house" in order. Yes, John and I were married legally, but I wanted to be with my family forever. I wanted to know if something should happen to me or John that I wanted to have the comfort of knowing he would still be there for me. After all it took me over 14 years to find him here on earth, I didn't want to take any chances. We were finally able to seal our family together and it worked out perfectly that Tara and Jeremy were able to be there with us. Also Oliver Boothe was there, the wonderful man that married us many years ago. We also had some great friends with us. What a great day. Afterwards, our family with all my children went and had a yummy lunch at the cheesecake factory!! I tend to be a procrastinator, which is a quality I dislike about myself, but I know now that I completed one of the best goals in my life, is to be sealed to my best friend, soulmate, and all around wonderful husband, John!!

Easter

Beatiful white eggs justing waiting for us to make them colorful Easter eggs!
Love the colors!

Over the years we have dyed our eggs a multitude of ways, sparkles, crayons, but this year it was all about the basics. For some bizarre reason I always throw out the egg carton, forgetting they have to dry some where. I was hoping that we could do together with Parker and Reese, but they had to do it separately. Parker is old enough where he doesn't drop they egg in the dye, where Reese plunks the egg down and cracking is a major concern. The colors are always so pretty. I always like the deep dark colors. The Easter hunt was great, but the yard was still muddy from our unending rain we keep having, so it made it a redneck easter egg hunt! We had to many for two children, I eventually starting just throwing them in the yard. Anybody need some hard boiled eggs or candy filled plastic ones?? I have plenty!!

Spring Break

Reese giving me the stink eye because it suppose to be warm!
Playing in the sand is always fun especially when the water is almost frozen!

Devin working on her tan!

It was so cold that we had to keep Parker shirt on!

Papa talking to his buddy! Did you notice Parker and Brodie had matching swim suits!! Too cute!! If only they made them in Jeremy and Johns size....

We went back to Pensacola beach this year for spring break. Tara hadn't been to the beach in a long time and I thought those pasty white legs needed some tanning. I had forgotten how much it takes to take little ones to the beach. Reese did not like sand on her feet so papa had to carry her which left me being a pack mule. Oh to be a good grandma!! Brodie mostly hated it and cried the whole time. John took the kids, yes all of them including Brodie back to the pool and let tara and I have some quiet time to talk at the beach..What a man!! I love him! They were having a cold spell of course when we where there, but the ocean is always so beautiful. Next time I'm taking Tara parasailing. What a blast.

Happy Belate Birthday Devin

Cool huh?
Is that Devin??

Where is my baby?????

Devin turned 16 last month. Where has all the time gone?? Just yesterday she was a spoiled little baby and today she is a spoiled teenager...sigh* We just had her party the other day and it was great to see her soooo happy. She had several friends come to Corinne's house for an outdoor patio party ( 80"s themed) but it rained all day, so being the great mom I am I moved Corinne's furniture and wala.... party central!! Here are so pictures from her eceltric circle of friends.

Ikey leg disease

Love my baby, but hate my smile!!
Today I went to the doctor and he said that the ugly junk on my leg is ...... scar.. something I cannot pronouce, but the good news is that it will not kill me...YIpppeeeee!! Hopefully the medicine they gave me this time will cure it. The doctor said the medicine might also help my bells palsy. That would be sooo wonderful. I hate the way I can't even smile and I have become very aware of when I try to take pictures. It would be great if I could smile all the way again!!

Dinner Theater

Allison came back from spring break to support her little sister
Janice & Kelli Stewart were all smiles about Devin's performance

Hwon loves Lindsay !

The Creech family was there to support thier favorite babysitter

The Bergeson's are awesome!!

Devin was in dance theater again this year. She got in more numbers and we can't wait til she finally has her solo numbers. We enjoyed Devin perfomance as always. My little girl loves to shake her money maker!!

I got some, I got some, I finally got some!!

Thank you to all of you who told me about Petsmart and the Girl Scout cookies. I FINALLY got some cookies today. It was kind sad, no little brownies trying to earn thier way to camp and screaming at you " Would you like to buy some Girl Scout Cookies?" Just a bunch of mom and maybe one girl who seemed bored out of her mind. Such a disappointment. My girls loved to sell cookies.... they sweet memories of standing out in front of walmart, winn dixie, countries, and every other place and asking so nicely.... would you like to buy some girl scout cookies???

We are they??

I have been a girl scout, my girls where girl scout, we are a guranteed sale. I mean will purchase mass quantities of Girl Scout cookies. I will retire to my room and eat a sleeve a thin mints with ease. They haven't been at the Walmart, Target, or come to my door. Please any girl scouts who might be in the Columbus, GA area , come to my home I will make sure you hit the next sales level!!

We've joined the Wii Nation

Well it is official we have become one of them. We resisted, but it seemed so much fun! I found a Wii at Target the other day and my mom said if I found one she would buy for me so..... I got it! We have had only about a 1/2 an hour to play so far, but we have really thought it was fun. Who would of thought? I don't care for computer games or gaming systems, never have. I felt they were a racket, but the sight of Tara and Jeremy on that Wii Fit, I have to put John and I through that humilation!!LOL! Actually I am very excited about it. I would love to lose alot of weight and maybe this will get me motivated.

Updates

Well this was not terribly exciting. I would show you a picture of my biopsy leg, but believe me it is to distgusting. It still hurts. I don't know if I'm just being a baby, but it still is sore. I should have the results in one week. I finally passed on on my test lately. I have been getting so whipped by my classes. I thought Biology wouldn't be that hard, hey I got a good grade in high school right? Yeah, right! I swear breastfeeding four children must of sucked out a lot of brain power because the more I read it the more it does not stay in my memory..... what was I talking about.....

Let is Snow!!

He was happy before I nailed him with a snowball!!
Even Parker shared in the pulling Reese duties

She seems to be asking him for a warm cup of hot chocolate

"Grandma, do you really trust him?"

Getting on all the clothes is the pits!! I gave this horrible job to Jeremy

Before we left for Utah, I gave Tara strict instructions on not letting it get to cold while we were there. I am NOT a cold weather gal. We Tara is a very obedient daughter and got it to stop being cold the whole time we were there. In fact, it started to snow upon our departure and Tara informed me that it is still snowing. Parker wanted to see the snow so Jeremy being the great guy he is, drove up us to Park City. We went to a state park and found a great place to sled. We found a snowed over boat ramp. It was great because it is a flat surface under the snow. Perfect for Reese's sled. Also it was so cool to see the lake in three stages. Cold water, icey, to frozen solid. Jeremy went out a little, but did not venture our to far. He knew Tara would kill him and I was there with the camera to rat him out if necessary. I thought about going out onto the lake, but my fat hinney would have gone in. Frozen Tina!!! Reese got the best job. Officail sled ridder. It is a baby sled so she was the only one to fit on it. What a workout going up the hill only to push her and have to take her back. Good thing that Jeremy had done his WiiFit earlier that morning. The kids got pooped out pretty quick, but that was fine with Jeremy and me.