Hess Family

My Max man

2012-01-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

oh boyfriend why oh why are you growing so fast!! Last night as I came to bed you had once again snuck into my spot. At first I was kind of annoyed but then I just sat there and stared at you sleeping all sprawled out with no shirt on because you are a "big boy" now. As I looked at your little body that streak of panic I get when I realize you kids are growing too fast hit me again. Where is all your chubby baby fat? why are you so long? Why do you have a little boy body now and what happened to your baby body??? I wish life could slow down for just a little bit. Promise me you will always be my buddy!!!

2011-11-30T08:11:00.000-08:00

Ya gotta love the differences between boys and girls...

Mia: MOM I wake up and I dreamed about rainbows, and unicorns, candy, and Santa it make me so happy!!!

Max: Mom Ben said a toilet word attached to a gun word. (in a tattle voice)
Mom: well what did he say?
Max: he called me a fart gun.

REAL...Soccer and cousins!

2011-09-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

We had never been to one of these games before and it was a blast. It was the perfect summer night, we were sitting by the loud obnoxious band, and I was with the coolest people I know!

Family Pics

2011-09-11T20:44:00.000-07:00

In July the Banks family was actually all in the same state at the same time! Yep that's right every single one of us including our newest little addition Miss Ruby Mae. We were so excited to all be together and see each other. Jus and Ers had lined up one of their photographer friends to actually catch this miraculous moment! We finally got family photos!! After the pictures we all headed to my ma's for some food and chatting and then to a REAL game. It was fun to be together and to catch up on each others lives. My favorite thing though is watching all of the little kids run and play together. Even the babies, they all love their cousins!

3 of my favorite things

2011-09-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

Madi...Max..and Mia my most three favorite things EVER!

Max, loves, his cougs, anything with super powers, his daddy, action figures, Where the Wild Things Are, dancing, karate, fishing, the dollar store, snuggling, and really good stories!!

Mia adores, shoes, lipstick, purses, skirts, her baby Ruby, pillow pets, miss kitty kitty, Tangled, her big girl back pack, Max and Madi, being snuggled and or read to, the "temple" song, and getting her way.

Madi LOVES, miss piggy, anything gold and sparkly, any of mama's clothes, drawing, painting, coloring, cutting, gluing, makeup, press on nails, anything with locks, mom's phone/headphones, dancing ballet and tap, those blasted pink shorts, and playing any pretend game that she is either the boss, the teacher, the mom, or just in charge!!

My first grader

2011-09-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

Do I really have a first grader? Oh my goodness I can not believe how fast time flies! I am not going to lie First grade was harder for me to say goodbye then kindergarten!! My baby is gone ALL DAY LONG!! for the rest of her life!!! So weird! Yet so exciting!! Madi was sooooo excited for school to start. She loves riding the bus, playing with her friends, recess, art class, and P.E. This year she was especially excited for eating lunch at school! This girl had no fear, she was awake at 6:00 AM just waiting to get on the bus. She has adjusted so well, however Max and Mia are missing her terribly. The other day as we were driving down the street Mia said out of the blue, "Mama I miss my Madi. I miss my Madi" over and over again! We love and miss our little first grader and it is killing us as we watch her grow into this adorable little lady!

Alex, starts preschool

2011-09-11T19:34:00.000-07:00

Alex has started preschool and absolutely loves it.Who is Alex you say??? You know the cute blue eyed guy that lives with us formerly known as Maximus...yes that is right Max has gone ahead and changed his name. It is now Alexander but you can call him Alex for short. Who is this kid??? He has informed everyone he comes into contact with that his new name is Alex!!! Where did he come from?? It is so hilarious!! So Matt and I have started to call him Alex in hopes that this is just a phase and soon he will realize how cool and tough his name actually is! I love this kid he is such a crack up! He is doing preschool with me and a few other mom's and it has been absolutely wonderful! He LOVES learning and loves to ask questions about anything and everything! He is starting to read and memorize several sight words and he thinks that is the coolest thing in the world! He still is my crazy boy but he has calmed down so much and enjoys just snuggling me for quiet times or jumping on my lap to give me a big wet kiss and telling me he loves me!

The bean turns 5!

2011-08-29T07:58:00.000-07:00

In July we were so excited for a visit from Aunt Becky and cousin Syd. They came over for a visit and a little celebrating for Syd's 5th birthday. The kids adore her and were so excited to play and celebrate together. We headed to boondocks for games and then to the park for pizza and cake! I can't believe how big these kids are getting! So glad we were able to see these guys a few times this summer, nothing beats cousin time.

Water Fight

2011-08-29T07:51:00.000-07:00

Looked out in the back yard and could not stop laughing at this sight!!! Thank goodness for those helmets a squirt in the head could really knock ya out!!

Man CAMP!

2011-08-27T18:15:00.000-07:00

Max was so excited to go on a MAN CAMP where men only were allowed. Max, Matt, and uncle Greg headed out to Idaho for a little fishing and we heard about it for days. Max was the net boy and did so good sitting patiently on the boat netting all the fish and just enjoying the great outdoors! He loved loved loved that it was boys only and then coming home and chasing me around the kitchen with that stinky fish he had gutted himself! His giggle that night, as he chased me, will be something that I remember for ever! It was the deepest most sincere laugh I have ever heard from him!

Bear Lake

2011-08-24T22:36:00.000-07:00

One of my girl friends has a cabin up at Bear Lake and she was kind enough to invite us to go stay the night with her and some of our other friends. It was a fun little getaway. The kids loved having a giant slumber party with the other kids and playing in the dirt. We sat on the dirty beach for hours while the kids played in the water and built sand castles. It was fun to have adult conversations and enjoy my girl friends while giving the kids a little mini vacation. On the way home I took a wrong turn and headed and extra long way home. We were the only ones on the road and I was high up in a canyon. I looked down and my gas tank and started to panic. I thought for sure we were going to run out of gas. Instantly little Madi was on to me and could tell something was wrong. She came right out and asked are we going to run out of gas? We both were very scared because we had quite a ways to go and I seriously had not seen a car pass us for miles. I told Mad we would be fine and asked her to say a prayer for us. It's funny how dumb simple stories like these or simple tender mercies, really strengthen our faith in a loving Heavenly Father. Because after that prayer my heart slowed down a bit I wasn't as nervous and we were now on the decline of the canyon. so I put the car in neutral we glided down that mountain for a good 30 miles and straight into the gas station at the bottom. Safe! didn't have to find a stranger to haul 3 babies and a crazy lady. Matt didn't really love this story he told me I was crazy and that driving in neutral down the mountain was really stupid!! But hey we made it right!!Oh the lazy days of summer!

Summer Lovin...

2011-08-24T22:22:00.000-07:00

Our summer came and went so fast. We played so much this summer, but now I am looking forward to that fall crisp air. I have a ton of pictures I need to catch up on but they will come. One of my favorite things this summer was just chillin at home and playing in the back yard. I have kind of been a home body lately, and it feels kind of good. Matt and I love watching the three kids play together. Mia is at an age now where she can keep up for the most part with the other kids and wants to be right in the middle of all the action. She has absolutely loved being included in Madi and Max's games of house, or air benders!! She usually plays the part of puppy dog but she has no problem with that. I dread the day when playing with your brother or sister is "uncool"

Root Beer with dad

2011-08-24T22:13:00.000-07:00

My obsession with free KSL has spread to Matthew and Moo. One Saturday this past Summer Max, Mia, and I were napping, when we woke up we found Madi and Daddy way to excited. They had snuck out and went to this house giving away free stuff and came home with a new chocolate fountain, a big water gun, and a make your own homemade root beer. SO that they did.

Free Fifty Free

2011-08-23T15:40:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do is search the free KSL ads for treasures. Well I scored again! This time it was a free two night stay at this amazing resort. It was awesome! The pool was the perfect size for the kids, the room was small but perfect. We went up for one night alone. We swam, ate out, and watched movies. The next morning we swam all day, the kids love the water. Mia thinks she can swim with no floaties and just tries to push herself away from any adult. Max could not handle that Mia dares to go under water with no help so then he had to to and Madi is becoming a little fish swimming up and down the pool like the big girl that she is! Later we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Chewy. When they arrived we headed to the Alpine Slide. The kids LOVED this especially our little dare devil Mia she wanted to go again and again. That night right outside of our hotel was a free outdoor concert. We were able to just sit and relax and enjoy the fresh air. It really was a great weekend. Especially because it was FREE! I have always loved Park City for some reason. I remember as a girl just loving going and staying at hotels even if it was just a half hour away. Madi is the same. She LOVES hotels. She loves the free note pads, shampoos, lotions, and especially the shower caps! It's so funny to relive memories by watching Madi enjoy and do the same things that I used to do.

SOOOO HOOOOTTT they all ripped their shirts off after playing in the Provo river. SO what do you know seconds later Matt has his shirt off too. They thought they were hilarious...and they kind of are!

Orange Julius Please!

2011-08-23T15:26:00.000-07:00

Hey kids one of your all time favorite daddy treats was and is...... ORANGE JULIUS!! (said in a screaming excited voice!) Don't worry this is served for any special occasion and for any Saturday or Sunday morning where papa lets mama sleep in. Ya gotta love those staches...

RECIPE:
6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cup milk, lowfat okay

1 cup water

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

8 ice cubes

Directions:

1-Combine all ingredients, except ice cubes, in blender.2-Blend 1-2 minutes , adding ice cubes one at a time, until smooth.

Bad Mom...

2011-08-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

Call me a bad mom if you must but quite frankly my dear I don't give a darn??? EVERY kid has to go toilet papering at least once in their life! Pretty sure we are the hooligans of the neighborhood. Summer, Heather, and I took the girls and pitched a tent in the neighborhood park, we had pizza, treats, and toilet paper! it was such a fun night.The girls were hilarious! they giggled all night long! Hearing those sweet sincere giggles is one of my most favorite things as a mother. Unfortunately our little shindig was interrupted at about 2:30 AM when the sprinklers hit and drenched us! the girls were so sad and begged to stay and sleep in their soaking bags! I remember as a little girl having a bunch of girls sleep over. At midnight we wanted to go toilet papering so my mother walked us all to the gas station ans then walked us back to get the Hucks! I always loved having a mother who wasn't afraid to live a little and to play with us rather then just shake her head and be disgusted!!

Salt Lake Cit Arts Festival

2011-08-11T13:09:00.000-07:00

IS summer really almost over??? I can not believe how fast these past few months have flown by! We have had such a fun summer mostly just hanging around here finding little things to do to fill our time. In June the kids and I packed up and met Aunt Em and Sam at the Arts festival. I usually love the festival but this year it was just too hot!! the kids enjoyed the music station and a couple of the art booths where they painted but other then that no bueno!! Especially Miss Madi she wanted nothing to do with it except the playing in the water part and the ice cream after part!!! Owell we tried. Next year Em and I learned that we need to go alone!

Sunday drives....

2011-06-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

Madi, yesterday you sneakily and quietly wrote the words MAX IS FAT on Max's forehead while we were driving to grandma's. You are a little stink and could not figure out why Daddy was so upset. I was sitting in the front seat trying not to laugh while Daddy had had enough and pulled over and you got a big old fat big girl lecture! Kind of funny??? Max you owe her one!

Later that night on our way home Daddy stopped in the middle of the road to pick up a stick that he says was his pirate sword in a pirate fight he was once in and and just had lost it. You two thought that was the coolest thing ever. This was the conversation I heard...
Max: Madi that is my sword
Madi: what kind of deal do we have to make so I can have it?
Max: It's mine Madi
Madi: Ok here's the deal I will give you one thing out of my room for that sword you can pick something like my bed or my vanity
Max: what about your nutcracker???
Madi: um no not that what about my bed??? you can have my bed.

So I remembered as a kid doing and stuff and dealing with my brother Mike so that I could pick one thing out of his treasure drawer

Justin do you remember popping Mike's toes, cleaning his room, doing his chores etc etc etc for 1 pick out of his treasure drawer???? Man I loved that treasure drawer! There was nothing better then a bunch of Beebies, old candy, and plenty of random broken objects to choose from! Yesterday as we were driving I told Madi about uncle Mike's treasure drawer. The next thing I knew Madi was whispering to Max and I hear Max say ok as soon as we get home I will massage your back. I asked them what was going on and Madi says," I am going to make a treasure drawer like uncle Mike's so I can get Max to do stuff for me! "

These kids kill me!!!

Happy Father's Day!

2011-06-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

Happy Father's Day to my Papa. I love my dad so so much! There is no one quite like this man! He has the biggest heart and he is so kind. He is definitely his own person and if you don't know him he is very misunderstood! He would do anything for anyone, he is the hardest working man I know. And his subtle goofy humor is something that I will forever and ever love and remember. Happy Fathers day daddy-o- I Love and admire you more then you will ever know.

And then there is my baby papa....... Oh honey bunny how do I love you so!!! I love this man to death. What an AMAZING father!! I couldn't and wouldn't change one single daddy thing about you! Our kids are so lucky to have a daddy who truly LOVES being a daddy. So maybe tomorrow I will let you sleep in and give you a massage or something, but then again you love the kids so much maybe I'll just let you wake up with them!! I love you babe, I seriously think you are the best dang daddy in the world!

Softball star

2011-06-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

My Madi girl started softball this year. It's been a riot to watch these little girls figure out how to swing and then where to run! So far so good. No complaints yet on getting ready to go, So I guess that means she likes it, sure makes it easy on me! She has caught on way fast. Her favorite position is catcher (like her mama!) But she loves batting the most. I LOVE going and sitting in the sun and cheering my girl on. I just can't wait until we get into the leagues where we can sing all of the cheesy cheers!

School's out for SUMMER!!

2011-06-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

We are loving our summer break... SUN, FUN, LAZY DAYS!!! I am trying to be better at remembering my camera. We have a pretty big bucket list for the summer of 2011 hopefully we will be able to scratch some things off of it. We are dying to go camping and just haven't been able to make it happen yet but we have been, punch selling, bbqing, fire pitting, tent sleeping, librarying, fountaining, swimming, walking, parking, picnicking, star gazing, museuming, painting, sprinklering, biking, duct tape selling, cousining, dancing, softballing, etc etc etc. I love this time of year!

My Big 4 year old!

2011-05-19T21:49:00.000-07:00

So Mr. Max man turned 4 last month!!! 4!!! Why does that seem so old to me? He is not my little chubby baby anymore!! He is this adorable little boy thing, who melts my heart! Max insisted on having a super hero party this year, so that we did. You know how you do all of these little mom things and sometimes you wonder why and if they are even appreciated? Well this year as Max woke up and came down stairs to a decorated kitchen and presents on the table Madi followed and with a huge smile said,"mom I love when you surprise us and decorate for our birthday, it just makes us feel so special" how cute is that! that's enough to keep it up for at least another year right? But thank goodness I can decorate and wrap gifts because I pretty much stink at cooking! Max loves waffles so for his b-day breakfast those were on the menu, ya know I try so hard.....

oh well! I did try!

SO for our super hero party Max invited 15 of his little pals over. He was so funny about his invitation. He had looked at it probably 5 times before he finally realized that he was flying on it! At first he was just upset that his hair was flat and then all of a sudden one day he yelled out, "MOM I'M FLYING ON THERE!!"

The party was a blast. The whole party was like a training type of thing to turn these kids into superheroes. As I was welcoming the kids to the party I told them about a birthday villain who had been seen around town and might show up to ruin the party. I told them that we were going to train so that if this villain came we could defeat him. Right after I said that I had my dad dressed as a villain come around the corner with a bag of "bombs" he danced around and threw the bombs down saying I am going to bomb this party!

I told the kids to hurry and stomp out all of the bombs before the party was ruined. I don't think the kids quite knew what to think at first of the villain. Some were scared some were already trying to fight him off! After they put all the bombs out I told them that if they wanted to become a real superhero they needed to learn to live and hide in caves. So we played musical cave! As the kids went threw the cave whoever was in the cave when the music went off was out of the game. They loved this!

Because of their bravery in the cave they each earned a super hero mask. Next the villain came back with a bucket of kryptonite. (green painted rocks) I told the kids we had to get rid of the kryptonite or it would suck all of our powers out so we did a little obstacle course over slides and in tunnels while taking the kryptonite to a big bucket that Matt and uncle Mike blew up after. For that task they earned their super power wristbands that I made about 20 minutes before the party with hot glue and left over felt! (free fifty free baby)

I love this picture because it was totally candid. I loved how the boys instantly had their arms in a circle showing off their powers! Next we practised making webs for our enemies by making a giant web out of yarn and then practised flying like a superhero into our foam pit!

For their flying skills each kid earned their own cape. (thank you grandma chewy for helping me sew all of these!! don't know what I'd do without that woman!) And lastly we practised spraying our "webs" and "powers" at all of the bad villains on balloons. But in the middle of spraying, my daddy the real villain came out again, and the kiddies without even being directed knew instantly it was time to attack! They chased him all over the yard. It was hilarious!

After the party when we asked Max what his favorite part was he said I liked attacking Grandpa! That was soooo funny mom. This party was so much fun! It was such a perfect day. One I think I will always remember.

Grandma and Grandpa Chewy bought Max this giant ball. As soon as they brought it out all the little kids went running over and jumped inside! Looks a little claustrophobic if you ask me, but we couldn't keep them out.

I love how lucky my kids are to have two sets of AMAZING grandparents and aunts and uncles. Matt and I both didn't grow up with these kind of grandparents and we hope our kids realize how lucky they are to be so loved and to have such good relationships with both. Happy 4th birthday Mr. max man. We hope you know how much you are loved! You make any and every one smile just by looking at them. You have one of those personalities where everyone loves you and wants to be around you. You are one crazy little boy with lots of energy that goes on and on but you have this gentle sweet heart and you truly care about others and their feelings. If your personality now, says anything about who you will be as a man than I am one lucky mama and you will have one lucky wife who will constantly be laughing. We love you little dude! You make us so happy!

You've been heart attacked!

2011-05-19T18:57:00.000-07:00

This year at the elementary school I was in charge of teacher Appreciation week! YIKES!! it was a ton of work. But a ton of fun too. We tried to get the kids involved through out the week as much as we could. Madi had fun drawing pictures, writing letters, wearing her teacher's favorite color, and bringing her a gift but on the last day of the week her, Livi, and Ellie all cut out awkward looking hearts and decorated a poster board to "Heart Attack" Mrs. Larson's car. The girls loved being so sneaky and had so much fun with it!

A little taste of sunshine

2011-05-16T21:12:00.000-07:00

Last week we were teased with a little bit of sunshine and warm weather. So what did we do???? Run through the sprinklers of course! The kids loved splashing each other and soaking up the sun. Oh how I wish it would have stayed a little longer. This mama is ready for warm lazy days! That night we finished our little swim party with a hot dog roast in the back yard. The fire and mallows got me so excited for summer camping trips!! 3 more weeks of school! We are almost there!

Another year down!

2011-05-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

Madi's Kindergarten program

IS Madi really done with Kindergarten??? Just thinking about it and typing it makes me cry! My baby is growing up! She is this gorgeous little person with an opinion, with thoughts and feelings of her own about everything! I can hardly believe that this mile stone in her little life has come and gone. We were very lucky to have had an amazing teacher with whom Madi has loved and learned so much from. She has made so many new friends and I can not believe how she has grown both intellectually and physically. Mrs. Larson describes Madi has a very serious person. She says she takes her learning very seriously and always tries her best. She also says that Madi is by far her number one helper. That everyday before going to recess Madi asks if there is anything Mrs. Larson needs help with before she goes out to play. Tell me that is not cute! I love my little helper and I am looking forward to spending some more time with her over the next couple of months. BRING ON THE SUMMER!! We are ready!!

Sisters

2011-05-16T20:34:00.000-07:00

Oh Meezer and Madi!! I couldn't help but snap this picture. It was too classic this is who you two are!!! Mia loves to have her hair curled and Madi loves loves loves to do my face masks. These two absolutely adore eachother. Madi is such a good big sister. She loves to snuggle Mia, do her make up and hair, sing her lullabies while snuggling her in her crib, and read her stories. I hope with all of my heart that these two little girlies stay in love with each other. I hope that one day I get to watch these two figure out motherhood and womanhood together and that they will be each others best friend!

things I can't forget....

2011-05-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

Mom: Max what do you want to be when you grow up?
Max: prob like a ninja or something or maybe karate kid.

Mom: Mia be nice
Mia: in her best 2 year old voice max started it!!
Mom madi and max immediately bust up laughing,
Mia: don't laugh at me. you are mean to me!!
(this was only funny because we have never heard her say any of this before. All three of us could not stop laughing at the poor thing!)

After Mia threw our baby chick into the window well...
Mom: Mia come on time out
Mia: no mom I sorry
Mom: no Mia you were mean to the chicky time out.!
Mia: I sorry mom I sorry Mom!! Look at me. here look at me!!
I kneel down to look at her she grabs both of my cheeks with her hands and says I love you mom!! and tries to get out of time out!

All Boy!

2011-03-11T11:07:00.000-08:00

This kid is ALL BOY!! The other night Matthew goes in to check on Max and just busts up laughing. He calls me in to see and I find Maximus totally zonked out and ready for a fight! I love this kid, but man it is so true that boys are SOOOO different from girls! The kid taught himself how to burp and he thinks it is the funniest thing in the world. I can't even burp on demand and I have Max trying to sing his abc's in the language of belch. I ask him how on earth he does it and he holds my cheeks and says mom just stop talking and then go like this and burps. Then says see that is easy huh? I have been trying to teach him some manners and he is doing better at not burping as often but as soon as this kid needs a trick to show off or a quick laugh he is burping away!! uuhhhhh love uuuuhhhh you MMAAAAAXXXX

Valentines = No Bueno

2011-03-10T10:48:00.000-08:00

Oh my sweet little Madison!! So Madi kind of takes after her mama and Grandma Chewy when it comes to ccelebrating. She is just my kind of girl. The girl like to celebrate anything and EVERYTHING. unfortunately not everyone does. This year for Valentines Madi and I made her class little bubble gum necklaces for her valentines party. She was so excited. She had to wear red tights and a pink skirt. We had to have a pretty bow in her hair and a pink dinner, and of course we had to run Valentines around the neighborhood and ring the bell and hide. All up to this point everything was fine and dandy. Until the night went on and on and sweet little Madi was not getting any Valentines in return. I have never seen a girl so devastated! She refused to go to bed! She thought maybe people were waiting to come later. Grandma and Grandpa Chewy made their way up and spoiled the kids with candy and stuffed animals but we only had one door bell Valentine and Madi was heart broken! You know the big alligator tears that just break your heart. I thought about going and loading the door step up with cards and candy for when she woke up and then I just thought nope it's kind of sad but that's life! Sometimes it is full of disappointments even if it is a simple and dumb disappointment, to a kindergartner it was huge! Seriously this Valentines holiday really needs to revert back to lovers celebrating each other!! NO KIDS ALLOWED! I'm sick of these kids trying to steal my special days!! :)

Our first broken bone!

2011-03-08T22:48:00.000-08:00

Nope it wasn't Max!! Our ~~crazy rowdy out of control~~ sweet little angel baby Mia had a little accident this past month that introduced this little Hess family to a whole new experience in the medical world. We had our first broken bone. It was bound to happen at some point but I am pretty sure if we were all betting on who would be the first, we would have all guessed Mr. Max. I was out to dinner with my sis and parents and when I came home Matt said so calmly and matter of factly, "I think I broke Mia's foot" At this point it was late and Mia was already in bed but the next day poor little Mia was wobbling/crawling around the whole house. No tears mostly just frustrated that it was taking so long to get things done and to move from point A to point B. So we took her into the Dr's and sure enough the sweet thing had broken her foot! She had to sport this massive cast for two 1/2 weeks and she was a champ! It took her a day to really figure out how to walk on it and it just broke my heart watching her hobble around here. The best part was that the next day she was dragging pillows and blankets over to the stairs to try and jump from the steps to the cushions again. (this was how her foot was broken in the first place. I am guessing the first time she just missed the pile??) I took the pillows and told her no and she just kept saying, "Jump Jump it's fun!!" I guess lesson not learned!!! Maybe next time!

Last one!!

2011-03-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention my most favorite part of Christmas!! After all the presents had been opened and we were just sitting down, Madi got this HUGE grin on her face and started digging under the tree. She pulled out two teeny tiny pieces of paper all folded wrapped and taped up and said I got you and dad a present. (the best part was this girl's grin!! she was smiling from ear to ear) We both carefully opened our gifts up and were both surprised with a little piece of coal she had made out of paper and a black magic marker!! Then she shouted you guys were naughty so you get coal!!! Followed by her just laughing and laughing like she was the funniest girl in the world! Both Matt and I could not stop smiling and laughing with her! HILARIOUS!!

The Eve of Christmas yep that's right I'm still on Christmas!!!

2011-02-03T15:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve still seems a little weird for me! As a child we ALWAYS stayed home and my grandparents would come over along with my aunt and uncle and their kids. My mom would cook a feast, we'd sing, tell stories, play games, and then after our guests had left we'd open jammies and all of us kids would sleep together and watch movies all night long. So I can't quite figure out our little Hess family's Christmas Eve. I'm not sure how to do it. Nothing we do seems or feels like Christmas Eve to me!! Except for the part where we are under the tree opening a gift and then snuggling up together for movies and treats! but that part doesn't come until 7 or 8 so what to do until that time... not quite sure!! But this year we decided to go down town to temple square we hadn't gone all season and we HAD to go. So we packed up and headed out. The kids loved the lights and loved riding tracks around down town. Then we came home and let the kids open a gift from Matt and I. We decided no jammies this year since My mom and Matt's mom always give the kids jammies for Christmas and I just couldn't spend the money on jammies that we didn't need. So we bought the kids each a book and then Madi got the punky brewster dvd set from me and Max got Matt's old comic trading cards from when he was a kid. It was kind of fun to talk to them about how exciting Christmas time is and how when we were kids these gifts were some of our favorite things. But then to really talk about Christmas and why we celebrate and why we give.

The kids had a fluffy bed set up and slept together for several days before and after Christmas Eve. But there is nothing quite like that special night and having the lights on and your pots and pans right there ready to wake up mom and dad bright and early.

Madi was feeling festive and had ALL KINDS of decorations spread throughout her room. Sorry Mad but I maybe would throw random things away here and there throughout the month, but it looks like you never noticed, so go mom!!!!

And of course we had to get the kids sitting and waiting while Pops checked if Santa even came or not. Looks like he did! I love Christmas even more as an adult! Matt says I just can't remember that excitement and that I probablly loved it more as a kid but I think remembering that excitement is why I love it more. I love watching my kids be so happy. They just make me laugh as they swear that they had seen elves and Santa peeking in on them. And then to hear Max (now in Feb.) still talking about what next Christmas will be like just makes me smile! I love that as a momma I get to help create that magic and add some fun memories to their lives. Too fun!!!

2011-02-03T15:21:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have those moments where you think, I hope I never forget this, where you just want to burn that one little instant into your memory forever and ever? Today while Madi was waiting for her bus I sat there and watched her with her shiny glittery shoes and her big beautiful smile. She looked so happy. I loved watching her talk and joke with her friends. I had one of those thoughts of where you hear the old people saying remember when she was a little girl, the time went so fast. And I couldn't help but think and hope to remember what my baby was and is like as a 6 year old. Then the bus came and she looked at me blew me a kiss and yelled at the top of her lungs BYEEEE MAMAMAA!!! I know really this is not that great of a moment but for those 5 minutes of watching my daughter I just wanted to hang onto them and burn them into my brain and remember her in her purple skinny jeans and side pony tail. I love all of these sweet tender day to day moments, the sweet glances in my direction, the eyes watching and discovering something new that they have never seen before, the plain non-important moments that really don't seem to mean much to anybody else but are seriously the things that make up my whole world!

2011-02-01T11:23:00.000-08:00

Life is good! I am at a good spot in my life right now. Too good, because sometimes I get these crazy ideas of getting a dog, getting pregnant, getting a job, opening a business, opening an even bigger and better business then the first one, going to get my masters, etc etc etc But I have come to realize that I don't need any of it! (at least not right now on Feb 1st!:) ) WE ARE GOOD!! Life is actually pretty calm right now and I just need to sit back with my root beer and my messy house and just ENJOY every stinking minute of it. Sometimes I think that I need to go go go all of the time and I am looking for the next big thing or the next big plan and I forget to just BE and to just enjoy where I am and the cute dirty faces that are grinning up at me. In fact don't tell Matt but the other day I totally took a bubble bath in the middle of the day while Max was at joy school and Mia was asleep. I sat there reading my book soaking in bubbles and I enjoyed every single minute of it!!! Not one ounce of guilt, even turned off the cell phone so no one could ruin the minute for me. I decided right there and then that I liked bubble baths in the middle of the day and that I prob need and deserve to do that more!! The past year has been a crazy, fun, exhausting, year for me and I finally feel like I am actually somewhat in control of my life again. (I'm sure not for long as Matt is looking into some pretty big changes coming up) but for me in mommy land, today, this minute, I think it is perfectly fine for me to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

2011-01-30T11:21:00.000-08:00

Mom: Alright Max what do you want to do today?

Max: Lets go get a baby Mia that's a boy one.

Mom: Where would we get one of those?

Max: at the baby store, please mom please!!!!

She melts my heart

2011-01-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday after church I walk by Madi's room and I see her kneeling down and praying. Being the nosy person that I am, I stop and listen. The sweet girl was thanking her Heavenly Father for the beautiful day and for letting us go to church to learn about Jesus. These are the moments that I realize I may be doing
A LOT of things wrong as a mother but somewhere along the line there has been some kind of success and Mad fully understands her divine potential and that she truly is a daughter of God! My number one hope for miss madi is that she will never forget this one amazing fact.

Grandma and grandpa Christmas's

2011-01-28T09:13:00.000-08:00

Grandma and Grandpa Hess: With the Hess family for the past two years we have celebrated and been spoiled on Christmas morning at our house. We have them all up and do a big breakfast and open tons of presents. The kids LOVE that they get to show off their gifts and love having the Hess clan in our home. We love it too. This year after gifts and stuffing our faces we all settled down to watch Madi's new Punky Brewster DVDS! pretty funny!! I have never seen so many grown ups so interested in a little girl show.

For Grandma and Grandpa Bank's house we got together for a yummy dinner,gifts, some jammies of course, and a little nativity. I love getting together with the sibs and just chatting and remembering old times, and I love watching all of the kiddies play and make memories together. It is so fun to feel that Christmas excitement and to celebrate our Saviors birth together.

Aunty Ers, Mr. Parles, and baby sis hiding behind the Ipad

Aunty Em and Sambo

Mad and Parley, Mad loves these babies!

Our CrAzY angel!

That's one HOT Mary!!

You'd think the poor kid never had a new pair of jammies in his life!! love this kid!!

Let's talk about December...

2011-01-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

I didn't really blog a whole lot of what went on in December sooooooo here we go...

At the beginning of the month we all packed up and went to the Festival of Trees with Holl, her kids, and grandma chewy. I had not been there in years. I loved it. We all loved it! What an amazing charity event. The trees were all beautiful and completely decked out. The game area that they had set up for the kids was amazing. The kids LOVED LOVED LOVED it and it was such a great way to start out the Christmas season and to feel that Christmas spirit. Pretty sure we will make this a yearly tradition. I would love to maybe even get involved in volunteering and helping out with the whole event this year.

Yep that's my son inside the large Christmas tree he plays by his own rules!

Mia loved being inside her bubble until it popped, then she just jumped down into that big swimming pool!! It's all good we like having soaking wet boats and pants in the middle of winter.

Our ward kept up with the annual tradition of a "walk to Bethlehem" our youth sets up fire pits and songs, while narrating the story of Jesus's birth. I love this tradition as well. I love the unity of our neighbors while this is going on and I love that it is something that is a little bit different and something to look forward to every year.

This year they switched things up and had us meet back at our church building after for goodies and hot chocolate. They also had a cute little nativity station set up where the kids could dress up. Pretty sure Mr. Max and Mr. Hudson owned that stable!

And then of course there was the annual downtown Olive Garden ornament exchange!! I love these girls!! I miss all of the ones who can't make it because they live to stinkin far away but I love these girls to death. I love how with my cousins and aunt we can go months without speaking or seeing each other but when we do finally meet up it's not awkward for one minute! We all know that we love each other but that life is just busy. This night always makes me laugh and it is something both Madi and I look forward to every year. I'm thinking next year little Mia gets to join in on the fun.

So there you go a little 2010 December fun. Seems like every year it is beginning to be the same posts. But I find comfort in that. Comfort in knowing that we are still living and still celebrating life.

My big Two year old!

2011-01-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Poor Mia got the Dec 28th birthday shaft this year!! Really it is only year two and I already slacked? I PROMISED this would not happen and even started thinking about birthday plans at the end of Oct to be sure she wouldn't get forgotten and she would feel special on her day! And none of my plans came into action! Luckily Grandma chewy has uncle Mike to celebrate for too so we went to dinner for Mikey and Mia's birthday and at our house poor Mia just got pancakes with candles, sung too, and a gift! No balloons no banners, no lots of family and fun just a lousy pancake that was probably even burnt and a gift from the four of us. Owell she probably never would have known, if it wasn't for this blog and scrap booking!! :) sorry meezer I promise this is the last year that that happens!

Anyways so now I have my big two year old! And what a two year old! This girl is absolutely darling and so full of life. I don't think her big blue eyes or her personality could get any bigger. She has a mind of her own and is very determined. She loves to socialize and play with all and any little kids. Especially her big brother and sister. Mia still idolizes sir Maximus and follows him around like a puppy dog. I swear at least three times a week she is begging to sleep with Max. She also loves to sit so still while Madi does her hair and dresses her up with makeup and a fancy dress. She has a huge makeup and purse obsession right now both Madi and I have to keep our makeup well hidden because if it is left out Miss Mia will find it stuff it in her purse and we will never see it again. She also LOVES LOVES LOVES to sleep with her purse full of make up. and if her purse isn't around we have to find some kind of random object such as mini dvd players, old cell phones, a pair of her new panties, a real football, anything BUT a stuffed animal.

Mia is very tough, she is a climber and a doer. She loves to jump and run and be involved with the big kids. But she is also very sweet and loves to play with her babies and kiss them goodnight. She loves to be the one to say her prayers at night and she loves to "nuggle"

She is also very much a daddy's girl. She loves me too, but when papa walks in that door Mia Jumps up screams at the top of her lungs DADDDDDY and runs for a hug. Then Matt is not left alone for a good half hour while Mia follows him around or snuggles up with him on the couch. She loves nursery and has from day one. I think she feels like a big kid in there because she is so excited to show us her pictures that she has colored while in class (or more like scribbles! but she sure is proud of them)

We just finished potty training and are going on day 6 without any accidents both day and night (knock on wood) She thinks it is so cool that she gets to sit on that big potty and tries to go over and over again.

Mia is such a joy in this family it is so fun to watch Max and Madi with her. We all just laugh at her because she is absolutely crazy and she knows it!

So Happy Birthday to my sweet little baby girl. Whom I absolutely adore. These last two years have been absolutely insane for this mama Hess but I wouldn't change a day for anything even if sometimes I want to pull my hair out and run away screaming. I am learning so much from these kiddies and I am so thankful that they are mine.

Jesus Wants max for a SUUUUNNN BEEAAM!!

2011-01-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yep my Mr. Max has joined the big kids and made his first debut to primary last Sunday! He was so proud!! Matt and I still teach in the primary so we get to sit and just laugh at our little man! Last Sunday he walked quietly in with his arms folded and then sat down looked around made eye contact with me and jumped up on his seat and yelled look mommy I am a sun beam!!! He loves to sing but misses the treats! I love and also wait anxiously everytime he raises his hand for an answer I am never quite sure what is going to come out of his mouth! We love our little sun beam! He is such a joy and brings happiness and craziness to this house every single day.

my wake up call

2011-01-05T13:21:00.000-08:00

Although I HATE HATE HATE waking up in the mornings. (I am working on this in 2011) I can't help but LOVE LOVE LOVE my little wake up call! This morning I woke up to my little Mia yelling from her room mom! mom! mom! ohhhh gorgeous help!! I love it! That got me out of bed!!!

Madi's gift

2011-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

For Madi's Christmas present to her friends this year she wanted to have a Christmas Breakfast. So we sat at the computer and she told me what to type and made this cute invitation!

She was so excited for this party and we had a blast doing it. Madi is our little party planner. She loves to get her notebook and write down every detail of the upcoming party from the invites all the way down to the paper goods she makes lists and lists of what we will need and who is going to do what. At first we were just going to keep her little breakfast low key and invite 3 or 4 friends but then Madi was so concerned that someone would feel left out or have their feelings hurt so we ended up having about 11 girls come and the sad part is we still probablly left out a good 5 or 6 girls. What a fun day it may just have to become a new tradition for our littel Moo.

and yes those are halloween plates!!! of course our christmas plates were no where to be found come christmas breakfast time! But don't you worry we found them the very next day!!!

Christmas Picture....

2011-01-02T18:08:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to do Christmas Cards this year but as Christmas got closer and closer I just had to give in and do some! I LOVE LOVE LOVE receiving Christmas cards!! I love to see the pictures of all of my friends and families and how much they have grown and I just love sending mine out letting those long lost friends know that I still think about them and that I love them so much even if we don't see them a ton! So the Saturday before Christmas me and the kids headed out to take a snap shot! What an adventure the kids mostly enjoyed jumping in the rain puddles soaking their Sunday clothes! Everyone hated the entire experience except for of course Miss Madi! she loves any camera!! (except for Grandpa chucks! for some reason she won't say cheese for him!)

Can't sleep!

2010-12-21T20:02:00.000-08:00

I have had one of those Christmas years where I am excited for it and we have been enjoying the season but yet I just kind of keep thinking it's just another day, and soon life will be back to normal. I love celebrating with the kids and trying to keep the season full of magic and excitment but the past few days I have just kind of felt blah about it all. Then tonight, just now as madi has been lying in bed for an hour she yells down to me, "Mom, I can't sleep how did you sleep when you were a kid and it was Christmas time!" I just had to smile and it made me remember how fun this time of year is as a kid! I am so glad that I had a mom who always celebrated with us and always made the holidays so special. We were always passing out gifts, caroling, serving, decorating our rooms, or just being together as a family. Some times these things take up sooo much time and can be very stressful. But I loved them, and I know my kids love them!!! I hope I can always remember that Can't sleep feeling. Oh to be a kid again!!!

Everybody Needs a Little Punk Rock!!

2010-11-27T22:09:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago Matt and I, and our good friends reverted back to teenagers for a night and went to see the Bouncing Souls in concert. Yes, they are a punk rock band, and yes we were prob the oldest couples there! But it was such a fun fun date!! It was so much fun to just kick back and sing and dance and not care what one other person in the whole building thought. We danced and pushed with all of the crazies and at one point Matthew and his friend lifted me up and I crowd surfed through the whole crowd!!! I bet they had no idea that they were surfing a mom of three who would later be reading stories to kiddies and sewing on her machine!! I have always wanted to crowd surf!! I just got to it a little bit later in life then most people! :) Thanks Matt for the awesome date night and for reminding me that it's ok to kick back and act immature for a night!! I LOVED it!!

Nutcracker 2010

2010-11-27T21:56:00.000-08:00

Every year we take moo to go see the Nutcracker. She LOVES IT! I this was her 4th year going, usually I take her and we make it a girls night but Madi and I have been having a lot of one on one time lately and Daddy was in some desperate madi daddy time so he decided to take her. We surprised her and just told her we needed to get all dressed up because she was going somewhere special, then matt came home and gave her the tickets and told her to choose where they went for dinner. And of course she chose the Olive Garden! They had such a good time and her pops spoiled her rotten!!! We love this little girl!

Teaching Max to pray, take 7086....

2010-11-16T21:34:00.000-08:00

Last nights FHE prayer

Max: Heavenly Father please bless me to share every single toy of mine with daddy, and bless all of the food. In the name of Jesus Christ amen.

One day, one day!

Joy School Halloween Party

2010-11-16T21:32:00.000-08:00

Joy school week at our house fell during Halloween week. Max was so excited that he got to have a halloween party at his house. The kids were all darling and VERY HYPER!! But so fun! My mama came up to hang out so I made her bring her witch costume and she told all of the kids Halloween stories and took them on a walk. We made crafts, played games, and ate treats.I love watching the kids get so excited to celebrate different holidays and so excited to just play.

All she wants for Christmas...

2010-11-10T15:45:00.000-08:00

Is her two front teeth! Yup Madi Moo last two teeth for the very first time! She had one loose tooth on the bottom and one not so loose but the back teeth decided they were coming in anyways!! We had her 6 month dental check up coming so at the dentist he said let's yank them! So we did! I HATE the dentist and I always have so I sat there and watched her get happy gas and be all scared I knew exactly how she felt and it broke my heart! But she did awesome, and that night she had a little visit from the tooth fairy! Apparantly Madi's friend's fairies bring gold, barbies, and all kinds of toys! I guess our fairy is pretty LAME!

PS Although Mad's teeth were shiny and clean poor Mr. Max is getting his first filling tomorrow!!!! OUCH glad it's him and not me! I mean uuhhhh don't good mom's say I'd do it for you if I could! oh yep not a good mom here!

Madi

2010-10-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

Madi we were destined to be best friends!! My favorite Madi quotes of the weekend...

Mad: I vote the boys have to massage us, roll over mom!
minutes later:

                    Dad: Hey Mad your turn to pick the movie tonight what one?
                    Mad: Ever After of course it's me and mom's favorite.

Even a few minutes after that:

                    Mad: I vote the boys have to cook me and mom breakfast in bed!

Mad you are my kind of girl! Best Friends for life!!!!

DEAR BABE

2010-10-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hey honey,

I am sitting here on the computer dinking around listening to you be daddy in the other room. And I just had to let you know that I LOVE YOUR GUTS! One of the reasons I fell in love with you is because I knew that you would be the best daddy ever and it turns out I was right! You are so amazing with these kiddies honey and I love you so much for it! Last night after a major stressful work week and a long work day 7:30 to 8:30 you insisted that I keep the kids up so you could come home and have a movie night with them. When you walked through the door instantly Mad and Max went running up to you hugging you and laughing because they were so excited to see you and then even more excited to see that you had brought home how to train a dragon, popcorn, and huge Halloween cookies. You then insisted on a big fluffy bed and we all snuggled up next to the fire and watched our movie! Matt this is what I always dreamed of having! This is what matters most to me! I love you more and more everyday!

Banks Family Halloween Partaaayy!

2010-10-26T21:49:00.000-07:00

It wouldn't be Halloween without my Mama's annual Halloween party! Except this year we missed so many of our little crew! But it was still fun to get togetehr and dress up play some games and just be together as a fam! Of course Mom went over the top with her foods and treats and mike showed up in his "flashy" attire! I love these parties and I know my kids do to. They will cherish these memories for a life time. Missed all of you crazies who couldn't make it!

Too bad you can't see Mike's real costume, He made me promise I wouldn't post it lets just say you are seeing half of it right here!!!

Matt and I were a bad head cold!! I know pathetic right! But free and easy!! And is it bad to admit that I actually fast forwarded like 20 years as I was dressing my baby as a bride and I maybe shed a tear or two!! I know, I have issues!

Maybe these two explain my issues!

Cutest chick I ever saw!!

My cousin Stacey her son Tyler and their dates!

My 6 year old!

2010-10-24T15:02:00.000-07:00

Our sweet Madison turned 6 in Sept. 6 years old!!!! HOLY CANOLI! I won't lie and say it has been the best 6 years of my life but it has for sure been an amazing 6 years! This little girl has brought so much happiness into my and Matt's life she has taught us so much and has helped us to realize who we are and who we want to become. I don't know what I would do without this girl. I love her so so much!

At 6 years old:

Madi's Favorite color: pink, purple, and yellow

thing to do: Play with friends, play with Max and Mia, swim, and go to school

           Food: Chicken Nuggets
           Snack: Cheese and crackers
           Song: I am a Child of God
          Movie: Wizards of Waverly Place
          Book: The orange Fairy Tale book that Aunt Em gave to her
          Treat: birthday cake
     When mad grows up she wants to be an "animal doctor"

Madi for sure has her moments of being a bratty kid but 90% of the time this girl is an angel. She really is. She has such a sweet tender heart and she is so thoughtful. Lately Madi has found her inner craft side! She loves being creative and creating things. She loves to scrap book and draw. Her favorite game to play is church, she loves to pretend like she is the primary president and max is her little slave. madi eats up family time, She gets so excited when it is FHE night or a weekend where we are doing some kind of family activity. She loves to play with all of us. She also loves and craves alone time. Sometimes she just wants to play in her room by herself or climb up on my bed to watch a movie by herself. She is famous for saying I just need a break! There are so many things that I love and adore about this girl but mostly I love her big beautiful eyes and how they melt my heart! I love her little hugs and how minutes after she has been naughty she fixes it with a hug and an apology. She is as stubborn as they come but I think this whole dang family is! Madison, I hope you know how much you are loved! You are simply Amazing!

This year for Madi's birthday we let her decide if she wanted to have a friend party or if she wanted to have a special date night with just mom and dad. To our surprise she chose a date night. I thought for sure she would eventually change her mind but she wasn't budging. So me her and pops went to applebees for dinner, then to Target and let her pick out her own presents, and then she insisted on going to the movies. We saw nanny Mcphee returns. We tried to talk her into boondocks or Classic but she said Daddy, boondocks does not go with dinner. You have to do dinner and a movie. Ok mad whatever you say! It was fun just spending some one on one time with our girl.

UEA

2010-10-22T14:54:00.000-07:00

Now that my mama has moved far far away! When we go visit it is usually an over nighter and then it feels like a mini vaca and I can't complain because we get spoiled rotten and I love it! For UEA this year we kind of switched things up but we had a blast. On wednesday me and the kids went down to Wheeler farm and hung out with the coons and with Aunt Em and Sam. The kids loved running around from animal to animal and playing in the old chicken coop play house. Mia enjoyed emptying her duck food on the ground and then rather then feeding the ducks her bread she just hung on to it and ate it herself! She is kind of stingy doesn't really like to share with animals.

After Wheeler farm later that night we called aunt Holli and her kids and we all went to this halloween boat ride thing in Provo. It was pretty cool. More cool for little little kids. They had a section of the Provo river all decorated with Halloween lights and jack o lanterns all lit up on the banks. And occasionally pirates would show up and give the kids a scare. Way cool idea but really if I owned that thing!!! Oh the fun I would have!

That night we slept at my mom's and in the morning we went to Cornbellys. I loved Cornbellys. It was so fun, and there was a TON to do we were there for probablly 4 hours and still didn't get to do everything. The kids loved being with their cousins and I loved just being out and doing something different. That night again we slept at my mom's and then came home on Friday and hung out with daddy-o-. It was a fun busy weekend, and a nice little break from every day life.

Little Orphan Madi

2010-10-22T06:36:00.001-07:00

My little orphan had a fun summer singing and dancing with her friends! Who doesn't love Annie right??? I loved that show as a kid and I remember making my college roommates watch it with me over and over again! So when I heard they were doing an orphan show I was so excited! We blasted the practise CD in our car all summer long! It was way fun to watch her get so into it you could tell that she really enjoyed the whole thing. Watch out Hollywood!

The thing I love most about little Girls...

2010-10-20T14:00:00.000-07:00

CURLERS!
Ok really, Mia is cute without the curly hair (if I don't say so myself!) But come on these curlers take her to a whole new cuteness!!! I just love curlers in little girls hair and Madi is so stubborn she won't let me do hers anymore! So while Mia is still my little doll I have to take advantage of these times and dress her up whenever I feel like it!!

Too bad she won't smile for me though!!

Every good thing must come to an end

2010-10-16T00:31:00.000-07:00

Well summer has come and gone and because of that we sadly must say good bye to our beloved farmer's market!! Good bye dear friend until next year...These are pics are of our last trip to the market with Grandma Cole and the gang.

PEACE

2010-10-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

My little hippy?? Not really sure where the obsession of peace signs came but this girl loves a good peace sign. Funny thing is that even when she was teeny tiny she was begging for a ty died shirt! She loves those things! PEACE MAD! We love you!

Sisters!

2010-10-15T23:20:00.000-07:00

I am afraid this is only the begining for poor Mia! These pics were actually taken in the spring and are just now debuting but that is ok! Mad simply adores her little pal! Especially when she gets to dress her up!

Picking Pumpkins!

2010-10-11T22:05:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again where we have to go to a big field and dig through all of the pumpkins to find just the right one! And that we did!Of course just like last year and the year before that the kids were in heaven. And of course Madi can't pick anything fast so she took the longest to decide and was the LAST one by a good 30 minutes to pick just the right one. It's a pretty big decision ya know! I am loving this weather, loving this time of year, and loving that my hubby was actually home at an early hour and that we were able to enjoy an awesome night together!

SLIME

2010-10-11T01:34:00.000-07:00

Little Max was pretty bummed that Madi got to start kindergarten and he didn't so me and some of the ma's around here arranged a little play group and a little Joy school. I'm not going to lie reverting back to a mother of one child on Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays for a couple of hours is FANTASTIC! but besides that Max has LOVED this. It has been so good for him. I love seeing him interact with these kids. It's kind of nice, on Tuesdays we rotate with 5 other boys for play group and then on Mon and Thursdays we rotate with 4 other girls and boys for Joy school. He loves thinking that he is a big boy and going to school just like Madi.

Well this last week playgroup was at our house and we decided to make slime!It was a success! If you have never done this you totally need to. The boys loved it! I loved it when we were in the back yard! :) Boys and slime equal slime fights and messes! But hey don't slime fights and messes equal happy memories???

It has been a few days now sense we made it, and now Madi has taken it over and wants to play with it almost every day! Kind of fun!

Homemade Slime Recipe

Borax

White Glue

Water

Food Coloring (optional)

Ziploc bag

1. Borax is available in the laundry section of the grocery store. Take a cup of water and add to it 1 Tbs. of borax. Stir until completely dissolved. I actually used prob 2 TBs because it was too sticky.

2. Add a 1/2 cup of glue

3. Add a couple drops of food coloring.

4. Stir really good!

5. Dig in and have fun.
6. Keep your slime in a sealed bag in the refrigerator or an air tight container.

the mommy and max game

2010-10-09T21:52:00.000-07:00

mom: Max I love you
Max: I love you more
Mom: I love you most
Max: I love you mostest
Mom: I love you toastest
Max: HEEYYY that's my word!

Max: not sure why you love this but you do!! You make me say it with you over and over again!

Our Little Sambo

2010-10-09T20:52:00.000-07:00

Mia was so excited to have cousin Sammy over this week. She followed him around like a puppy dog and then decided that he was her own baby! The kids could not stop laughing at Sam as he growled and growled at them, and he knew he was funny too!! I think he liked us he kept saying wow wow!! And in my world I say wow when I think something is really cool! That's right Sam Aunt Brandi is AWESOME!! We love this kid! Thanks for letting us watch him Aunt Em!!

2010-10-09T18:54:00.000-07:00

Max has loved learning about book of Mormon heroes he just loves that they are so brave and gorgeous...I'm pretty sure he means courageous!

2010-10-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

Madi: I want an American doll
Dad: Why do you need an American doll you have Mia, she can be your doll.
Madi: MIA IS NOT CUTE!!! her hair is always crazy and in her face!!

Mia for the record, you are a complete doll!!

Our nights alone!!

2010-10-08T12:14:00.000-07:00

Me and one of my gal pals were talking one night about how we hardly go out with the hubbys as much any more because life is so dang busy and by the time you pay a sitter and do an activity it costs so much moolaa! So we decided we would swap sitting. We both have three kids almost exactly the same ages so we rotate every friday night. It has been sooo nice to just go and not stress about when we need to be back or worry if the 13 year old is doing ok with three kiddies. We always know that every other week we have a hot date and it has been fun just doing random things ALONE together! The kids love it too because we are not huge sleep over fans and this way Madi and Navi think they are having a sleep over every friday night! Last week we put up the tent and I took my other friends kids for her to. The young ones watched the little mermaid ate popcorn, and side walk chalked my patio while Madi, Navi and the neighbor girls jumped on the tramp all night long. When it got dark and the little ones were asleep it was so much fun to watch the older girls play shadow games and tell each other jokes and stories! Ya gotta Love Date night!!!

State Fair

2010-10-07T09:25:00.000-07:00

Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE the state fair??? Well I do! I think it is because that every year it comes the week of my birthday and I remember going so much as a kid! I love the lights, the giant yellow slide, the food, the booths, crafts, animals, and all of the crazy people that I can just sit and stare at! So of course we had to make a trip this year. We went on a Monday night with my grandma, mom and dad, holl and her kids, and Mike, Em and Sam. We loved the seals, Had to see the animals and ride the horses, ride the mini giant slide! (because my kids are wimps and couldn't handle the giant yellow one!!) and of course Mike, mom, and I HAD to try the ladder game and although Mike was close I think really we just looked like giant fools!!! Maybe in 2011 Mike just maybe!!!

Jackson Holeyo

2010-10-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Want to know the truth???? I LOVE you kids to death, but some times a mama and a papa just need a break!! I am not gonna lie here folks. I love these babies of mine but MAN talk about a 24 hour a day 7 days a week job.

This past August Matt and I and two couple friends of ours took a little river rafting camping trip to Jackson Hole, and yep we left you rug rats with Grandma Chewy. It's funny how you don't realize until once you are gone how badly a little get away is needed. Matt and I had such a good time together. We love driving on vacations because it is a time where we just get to be together and talk and enjoy each other. It was so nice being able to laugh and not worry about dipes and potty breaks and who is bugging who!

We met Hart and Katie one of our favorite couples, (can I say that??)In jackson and camped out with them and then the next morning Jason and Holly Another awesome couple!! Came and we river rafted and went to bar J. It was really such a good time. The next day Matt and I just took our time getting home Matt fished while I read on the bank, and it felt so good!!!

So with all the fun that was had and the goofing off that was there I still learned this amazing lesson that yep I am going to share with you kiddies. so here it goes. KIDS... life is busy, and life is hard. Especially when you add mortgages, real jobs, bambinos etc etc etc But when all of that stuff happens it is so important to keep dating that wonderful spouse of yours and to keep putting he or she first no matter what. Sometimes there is a lot of stress but remember that you married this person so that you wouldn't have to go through everything that we do alone, you are a team. When you start having kids they take up a lot of your time and thoughts. I am learning day by day that in order to survive dad and I HAVE to work together and we HAVE to put each other first otherwise we will fail you three! So Max go buy your wife some flowers! Madi, Mia, give your honey a massage when he gets home and thank him for working so hard. Alright that's all I got for ya, work hard stay the course and do it with your honey right by your side!

HHHOOOOOTTTTTYYYYYY

Kindergarten

2010-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ohhh Madi!! You did it you went and left me for that giant yellow bus!!! I can't believe my baby is a little school girl!! It is so weird to me! But I am loving it. It is soooo time and she loves it to! We started out a little rough those first couple of weeks really did her in! She was so excited to go to school every morning and to ride that bus but by Friday after school the poor thing was just exhausted!!! She would come home in tears and ornery as ever!! In fact one night after she had been grounded to her room for pulling another fit we sat and talked and she cried and cried and said, "Mom I am sorry I have been so mean it is just that life is so hard for me right now" I about died and thought to myself oh honey you just wait! But I think she has finally adjusted and I am starting to get my old sweet Madi back. Except this Madi seems a little bit older and wiser! :)

A couple days before school started madi wanted to have a starting kindergarten party and she invited several of our neighbor friends over. They were so cute, before they all left we were talking about what they were most excited for. As I asked each kid they all stated the bus. The very last little girl yelled THE BUS BECAUSE WE DON"T HAVE TO WEAR SEAT BELTS!! and they all started screaming and cheering! It was hilarious. And her teacher really does compete with that bus. Madi loves it! We can not miss that bus or else she has a complete melt down. One day she was with her grandma in the morning and Grandma was just going to drop her off at school and when Madi realized that she didn't get to ride the bus she about had a heart attack. As I was talking to her about what was going on she said, "mom the bus is my favorite part that is where we get to talk and laugh and trade silly bands. School is the boring part."

But not too boring Madi is loving learning to read. They had kindergarten books to pass off and she was the third one in her class to do it. She loves bringing home her reading books and whizzing right through them and she loves computer time. I feel like we have started a whole new chapter in our home and it is a blast!

I may or may not have followed that bus to every stop that day and then even to the school just to make sure my baby got there safely. I think I am normal????

Hey moo remember that cute boy Drew Patterson???? I believe my dear that he was your first crush!!!

Madi and Livi one of Mad's best friends.

Where did she come from?

2010-10-04T21:49:00.000-07:00

Look at this blond hair!!!! LOVE IT! Hope it stays!!People are always shocked that Matt and I gave birth to this mass of blondness! Don't let her cute little smirk fool you this child is one of a kind and we love every piece of her! She has a mind of her own and she will let you know exactly what she thinks! For the most part she can communicate what she needs to but every once in awhile you get her angry and she will just yell out in full babble mode! HILARIOUS!! She has a HUGE shoe obsession and every time she wakes up from a nap she runs to the closet to put on her shoes or to carry them down stairs. She has figured out how to climb out of her crib and so she does this about 90% of the time usually then falling asleep by her door! She is a wild child and loves her big brother. She follows that boy around and copies everything that he does. When I was prego with Mia and we were choosing her name I told Matt it had to be a girly name because I think this one is going to be a little tougher then Madi and some what of a tom boy! It will be interesting to see how she turns out because so far it is so true she loves to play rough and roll around. She loves Max's swords and trucks. But then again she loves her baby dolls too and she love love loves her daddy to tell her that she is beautiful. Although she is a crazy one she is our little sweet heart, she loves to snuggle and she loves to give kisses. I am not sure why I get to raise theses amazing babies, but I am so glad that I do!

Not sure where to begin

2010-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

So I have not had my computer working for the past month and half or so. It basically blew up we thought we lost a lot of stuff but luckily thanks to Greg we were able to save everything and fix everything! It's good to have a computer geek in the fam! But in the mean time I have been having these panic attacks, because I HATE not blogging all of the little things the kids do and say every day!! You'd think that I would have just pulled out a good old number 2 pencil and paper and jot them down, but no that takes way too much work! So for now I guess I will just try and play catch up and try to remember the things that I can. We have had a crazy past month or so. Madi started Kindergarten, Max started Joy school and play group, Mia is talking a mile a minute, we have had our house up for sale and now back down, Madi started gymnastics, daddy just keeps working his buns off for us, I turned 29, Mad turned 6 and we totaled our Honda civic with all 5 of us driving down the freeway. I suppose I will blog a lot of these events as I am trying to catch up on our little family.

Another Hard mommy job

2010-08-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

I know what you are thinking is she complaining again!!! Well sorry this mommy stuff is hard work! So how on earth do you decide when and what to put your kids in??? I mean seriously!! Right now I have considered or have done, ballet, hip hop, soccer, sewing, singing, art, softball, basketball, acting, violin, piano, gymnastics, cooking..... the list goes on and on!! How do you know what to keep your kid in and how many things to keep them trying??? When I grew up you name it I tried it. It's actually kind of funny for Matt and I because I can always say OH I did that! Which I love but also hate. I love that I consider myself a pretty well rounded person. I really am willing to try anything you talk to me about and I usually enjoy it. But I never had that one thing that I just excelled at! So now while Madi is growing up right before my eyes I am having a terrible time deciding what and when to put her in!!! She loves it all! So this last year she took Ballet at an awesome school. They did the Little Prince and Madi was a Bao bab. I loved this school because it was classic ballet. The ballet they performed was held at the Weber State auditorium with a live band and orchestra. Madi loved being on stage and loved performing. Now she tells me that she wants to solo dance and win trophies. She also has loved her singing and acting class this summer. So, stressed out from having to choose for her I finally let her decide what she wants to do this year. She has chosen to stay in a singing and acting class and to take a little gymnastics class! which I love but part of me wants to cheer her on at a soccer game and help her sew a skirt in her sewing class!!! Man alive if I survive this motherhood thing it will be a miracle!

Elsie May

2010-08-14T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is my grandmother Elsie May Boone Banks Isn't she a hottie!!!!

This is her with her mom. I believe her name is Elizabeth and I am pretty sure that is where I got my middle name, and Mia you got yours from me and her!! :)

2010-08-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

I'm hugging my kids a little tighter today and holding them a little longer. I am enjoying their chubby little faces and their big heart melting eyes. I can't stop myself from noticing and loving all of their little details. One of my long time friends lost her little boy last week and after attending his funeral yesterday I feel like a new mama. I have not been that spiritually uplifted in a long time. This sweet mom had every right to be angry, sad, and out of control and she handled everything with such grace and with such strength. The funeral had the most peaceful and calm spirit. As the mom spoke of her son she spoke with confidence in her father in heaven and knew that there was a bigger plan and a bigger picture. Of course she shed a few tears but she held herself together so well and took care of everything and everyone around her. I just can not get over how well she handled everything, I know Matt is so sick of me talking about it but I just came home wanting to be such a better person and such a better mom. I think this is one of those events in my life that I will never forget. I have never felt such a strong desire to prepare myself more spiritually. I know that might sound weird. But as I watched this young mom I realized that she was able to be that strong because of her testimony of the gospel. She was and is ready for anything that is coming her way, and I just kept wondering to myself how would I be if I were in her shoes? And then I just kept hoping that I would be the exact same way as she was. I look up to her so much she was an amazing example of faith and an excellent reminder of why we are here on earth. So for today let the kids scream a little louder, and fight a little longer, because today I am glad that I get to hear it!

PS if one more person dies in the next couple of weeks i am going to flip out.

Bubble Party

2010-08-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

Remember that foot bath we bought???? Turns out it was the best $6.00 we ever spent. It keeps us busy on these long summer days!!!! The kids had a blast with the bubbles all afternoon.

Naughty Girl

2010-08-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

Mia is a crack up! Everytime one of the kids gets put in time out Mia decides she has been naughty too and puts herself right next to them. It kills me!!!

My Girly Girl

2010-08-11T18:28:00.000-07:00

A couple of Saturdays ago Matt woke Max up at 5:00 AM and took him on his very first boat ride man fishing trip! Max loved spending the time with his pops and instead of opting to sleeping on the way to the river we jabbered away about star wars and such! Matt said that max was loved every minute of it and that he was such a champ on the boat! My first thought is Max's poor future wife, she is going to be a fishing widow too.

But while the boys were away us girlys had to play!! The first thing on Madi's list was pedicures. The cute little shop that we usually go to was closed and Madi was not quite tall enough for adult chairs so we had this great idea of buying our own foot bath. And don't you worry we found one at the DI or the treasure shop as it is known around here. It cost us $6.00 and it has been well worth it. After we got our foot bath squared away we did a little shopping where madi puts one of EVERYTHING in the cart and then slowly but surely picks the items that she wants. It tests my patience everytime but I was trying to be a good sport because it was girls day! The I let mad choose where we would go for luunch, and my girl proved to me that I was doing some kind of parenting right when she chose Olive Garden! YES!! I was so afraid i would be eating Mcdonalds chicken nuggets!

Then we headed home and put mia to sleep and got to work massaging and pedicuring each other! I loved it! I couldn't have asked for a better day.

my favorite was when she asked me if I would prefer a cup or a bowl to drink from? I let her choose and ended with a bowl!!! Guess I better lower the cups a little in the cupboard!

And then Mia woke up and joined in on the fun!!!

Grandps

2010-08-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

JAMES BANKS Jr.

James William Banks, Jr. "One of a Kind" James William Banks, Jr., born January 14, 1932, passed away peacefully at home August 2, 2010. Some of his relatives called him Red, others Billy, and to his close friends and family, his name is Jim. He loved race cars, motorcycles, boats, Tootsie (beloved dog), and his truck. He loved to take his family to the mountains, take long road trips, and reminisce about how things used to be. Jim could repair or build almost anything from scratch. He didn't need directions, he just naturally made it all work. He loved to be with his family, dearly loved his wife, Elsie, for 61 years, and would do anything for his family. Jim is survived by his wife, Elsie May Banks; his children, Larry (Deana) Banks, Judy (Hank) Bertoch, Jamie (Rick) Kenner, Cindy (Craig) Grant, and Karl (Lisa) Banks; 23 grandchildren, and 45 great-grand children. When he wanted to go home, he always said, "Come on, let's head for the barn." He is on the road headed home. Dad, you are "one of a kind", and you will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be held at Redwood Memorial, 6500 S. Redwood Road, 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 6. The family will greet friends and relatives from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., just prior to the service.

My sweet Grandpa passed away yesterday. I am filled with so much sorrow and so much love. I think we all had our own little relationship with Grandpa nobody's was quite the same. There was no one like Grandpa he was one of the funniest, grumpiest, and most hard working guys that I have ever known. Although he liked to come across big and bad he had such a giant heart and would do anything for anyone. He had friends and relationships everywhere throughout the state. He loved life and lived life.As I have been looking through all of his photos I have been overwhelemed with the life that he led. He came from absolutely nothing and him and Grandama made a beautiful, fun, busy life together. I can't believe all of the things that they got to experience with each other and all of the places that they got to go. When I think of my grandpa I think of his dirty jokes, and travelling all over the state with him. I haven't always been super close with him but these past couple of years I have grown to love him and know him so much more then I ever have.

I wrote about this before when my aunt passed away but I can't help but feel so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and of my Savior. I know Grandpa is in a better place and is being taken care of. I know that we will see him and laugh with him again. This knowledge brings such a peace and calmness to my heart. As we sat together yesterday planning the funeral my poor grandma asked quietly if we believed or thought that we would ever see him again. I think that sometimes I take for granted the knowledge that I do have. My heart went out to her as she sat there on her couch thinking of how she just lost her life long love of 61 years. I don't think I will ever forget the memory of watching my Grandma watch as they took his body and drove away. There was such love and sadness in her eyes. And although those two fought back and forth 90% of the time, I know that they loved each other to pieces.

Last week madi insisted that we go say hi to my grandpa as Sunday afternoon rolled around both matt and I really didn't want to. We had no idea he had been sick and we just thought maybe we would go another day. But we ended up going anyway and I am so glad that we did. I really feel like we were guided in going to see him and had I ignored that feeling right now, today I would be feeling horrible.

Thankfully many of his family and friends were able to go say their goodbyes and express their love to him. I kind of believe that people know when they are about to die. My grandma said that he had called everyone over so he could tell them how much he loved them and that on Sunday night when the last person had left he told her ok I can go now, and then the next morning he died.

I hope to be more open with my feelings and more real with my relationships. Life is too short to not be. I loved my Grandpa and he will be greatly missed by both Matt and I.

4th of July 2010

2010-07-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 4th of July. Did you hear me I love it! Yep LOVE IT! I really don't know why? I guess I love the simplicity of the holiday not stressful, don't really have to worry about shuffling around the family and just so laid back and fun! Did I mention that I love it? Well I do. This year did not disappoint as usual. Of course we woke up and headed to the parade (ahemm the best parade in the state!) No seriously, candy, Frisbees,stuffed animals, beads, coupons of all sorts, and a giant water fight! (ok maybe they are missing a few really cool floats but the freebies and the water fight is AMAZING!) SO we played there and then headed over to the high school for face painting, gunny sack races (I was the only grown woman amongst a bunch of grown men, don't worry I wasn't embarrassed at all, ok maybe a little but only when they all beat me by like 5 minutes) free bounce houses, princess stories, a big helicopter candy/toy drop for all of the kids. seriously it was a blast. Then we headed to Costa Vida to use our free salad coupon that we got in the parade (SCORE!) and then we bbqed and fireworked with some of our awesome friends and neighbors! What a blast! God Bless America!!!

I got thinking this year was kind of like a 3 for one, on the actual 4th we had another cookout with some neighbors (goulash on the 4th????? who does that??) and then on Monday we BBQ with some old high school buddies who we haven't seen in ages. I tell ya this holiday is the best! Great weather and great food! ya gotta love it!

Mommy Moment! Mommy Moment!

2010-07-22T19:13:00.000-07:00

I had my very first bike ride with miss Madi tonight!! HOLY COW MOO!!!! you are getting so big! Madi has been wanting to learn to ride her bike all summer but the two or three times we would try her little temper would get to her and she would throw her bike down and kick it saying how she hated her bike and how she was just stupid and would never be able to ride it!! (seriously this much drama at 5??? what do we have to look forward to?) But she has got it now! She can ride it start on her own and everything. So me and her went out for a ride and I LOVED it! I love my little buddy! She is just so much fun!

What goes in must come out

2010-07-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

Poor Mia the other day about gave me a heart attack. She was lying on my bathroom floor talking with me while I was getting ready. I saw her put something in her mouth and I went to get it out just as she started choking on it. She sat and choked for a little bit and then swallowed it!!!! She looked at me with her big old eyes and said OOOWwweeee! Through out the rest of the day I just kept getting more worried about it and finally decided to take her to the docs. They did an X ray and sure enough she had swallowed some circular thing. Then I started freaking out that it was a little button battery because we have these flash rings the kids have been playing with. So I watched her all night and made her sleep with me after hearing about all the horror stories of kids swallowing batteries. But low and behold the next day it made it's way out and she had swallowed a top of the little flasher rings, luckily though it was just the top and not the battery part! Man being a mommy is scary!!! Thanks for the heart attack yesterday Meeza peeza!!!

Shattered dreams

2010-07-22T19:05:00.000-07:00

So the other morning Max comes running into my bedroom so excited asking me where his bag of guns and lightsabers are. I try to reason with him for a minute how he doesn't have a bag of guns and lightsabers and then wanting my sleep tell him they are in the toy room. So he goes running into the toy room and then comes back so sad. telling me they are not there and that the man gave them to him and told him they were all his. He went on forever and finally I realized he had had a dream about a man giving him a bag of guns and lightsabers. I told him honey it's just a dream and he was soooo bummed! all day long he kept saying I didn't get my guns mom it was just a dream!

2010-07-22T19:01:00.001-07:00

Max in the middle of the sacrament hymn... "Mommy is this the ice cream truck song????"

I love being normal...

2010-07-15T20:48:00.000-07:00

Why does this week suck? I swear it couldn't possibly be any longer and I am about to have a nervous break down! It's weird because although my ENTIRE life all that I have ever wanted to do or be was a stay at home mama but the past couple of days I have caught myself thinking why?? Get me the crap out of here! I love these babies and I know I will miss these days when they are grown but man they are drving me nuts!!! I was just blog stalking and I ran into a friends blog with the same thoughts for the week and then several comments of different mamas feeling the same and oh it feels so good to know that I am normal and that just because I hate it this week it is perfectly ok and I'm steal a good mama. Good thing I just purchased myself a spa day!! Thank goodness, maybe a massage will make me nice again!

Ok Maybe they are out of control!

2010-07-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here is our Angelic Madison once again torturing her little brother. The other night Madi was "in bed" I was downstairs I could hear her moving around but I figured she was just playing house or with her toys in her room and I didn't care that much because the other two were asleep and it wasn't that late yet. But after a while I went upstairs to check on her and I met her with this mischievous innocent grin saying, "Mom someone was here toilet papering!! I don't know who it could have been! I didn't see anyone and look they got your room too!" After about 5 minutes of me admiring her work she yelled," Just kidding it was really me mom!! " So here is the deal, seriously when as parents do we stop laughing at the things our kids do and start punishing??? I mean really it was pretty dang funny and totally caught me off guard so all I could do is laugh and think about how my 5 year old just did a really good toilet papering job and how my 3 year old just a week ago attacked us with water guns!! Not quite sure when it stops being cute and funny and when it is truly considered out of control, I'll let you know when we get there though for now I'll just keep on laughing!

The happiest Place on Earth

2010-07-04T01:26:00.000-07:00

The first week of June my amazing parents took our whole family on a trip to visit the famous MOUSE. It was a very much needed vacation and it was so much fun! There are two things I hate about these trips though 1. coming home and 2. there are always WAAAYYY too many pictures to post! My parents borrowed my dad's 15 passenger work van and them, holl and her kids, Mike, Em, and Sam all drove together while we followed close behind. Jeff and his kids met us in Primm and then Jus, Ers, and Parley met us in CA. Some think that I am absolutely crazy but I LOVE ROAD TRIPS! I would rather drive to Cali with my kiddies then fly any day. I know I am nuts! But I think that is all part of the experience! I love long hours on the road just singing, laughing, talking and telling stories. I love the pit stops and the sight seeing! But I guess we are pretty lucky because our kids really do pretty good at driving. The ride home this time did seem extra long but I wasn't feeling well and my Max man had a pretty bad sun burn.

Mia found a new toy this trip she has decided that she loves IPODs so her and mad rocked out in the back seat. Our first stop was Primm Nevada. We stayed there and swam and played arcade games, and then headed to Cali. But of course before we could go all the way to Cali we had to make a stop in good old Calico Ghost town! It was SOOO hot and I think the only two people who wanted to stop were Mike and Holli but I am glad we did! We have pictures of us there as little kids and madi and Max still talk about that ghost town!

Later thast day we finally got to the hotel and couldn't wait to get near the ocean. So while waiting for the Iowa banks crew to arrive uncle Jeff, Ash, and Peyt and our family headed to the beach. The kids were in heaven! They loved chasing the waves and getting drenched when the waves caught them! After playing there for a little bit we headed back to the pool where granny deana had set up a little pool side cake and ice cream to celebrate Mr Parley (1), Ashley (6), and Brady (10) birthdays. We swam and ate cake and I just loved being there together with the whole fam minus Jenny!! :( Then we hit the sack preparing ourselves for the following day of Disneyland.

Tuesday morning we woke up early and headed straight to Disneyland. i wasn't sure how the day would go with Mia being so little and still napping. But it actually went great. She took a a good 2 1/2 hour nap in the stroller and we played all day and all night long. It wasn't too crowded for us either which was nice. It seemed like we were able to use fast passes and rider switch passes all day to get on all the rides that we wanted.

We really only had two goals of our whole vacation though and that was to get Max to fight Darth Vader and for Madi to go to Pixie Hollow! Both were accomplished by noon. So we could have gone home! :) The kids loved every minute of it. It was fun to switch around and spend time with all of our cousins at different rides and such.

Madi's highlight was prob pixie hollow and being able to dance in the street parade! She was laughing and smiling so hard. And loved when they pulled her out in the street! She also loved the tea cups, the Alice in wonderland ride, and it's a Small World.

Max's highlight was for sure fighting Darth Vader and becoming a true Jedi and he also loved the Buzz Light Year ride.

Mia, just kind of sat back and took everything in. She learned a new word though and she would point at everything and anything and just say cool!

By the end of the night the kids were zonked and ready for bed! and so was mama and papa!

What a magical day in every sense of the world! Disney Land never ceases to amaze me!

The Next day was a beach day. We headed down to Hunington Beach and enjoyed pizza and sand digging. Mia LOVED the beach expecially the sand crabs (that I am still dry heaving when I think about Jeff swallowing one whole and live!!!!) All of us older kids loved watching our kids dig and play and some of us trying to body surf! I forgot how much I love swimming in the ocean! I could have stayed on the beach all day! It was heaven.

The next day was a Sea World day. After asking Max what is favorite thing of the whole vacation was he said,"I liked when that dolphin splashed grandpa Chewy!" We sat in the splash zone on the front row of the Shamu show and Grandpa Chewy got SOAKED!!!! Luckily Max,Mad,Mia, and I had a tarp. So we could just sit back and laugh as Grandpa was shown on the jumbo tron just dripping wet!

Friday we packed up and headed to Vegas. The kids loved staying in the hotels and begged us the whole way home to just sleep in one more hotel! It was such a fun trip.I loved every minute of it.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!

Ready for Kindergarten

2010-07-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

Well She's ready for kindergarten holy canoli!! I can't believe my baby is starting school this fall. It is crazy to me. Well, that's kind of a lie. She is almost six so I feel like it's time. She wishes so badly she would have gone last year so it's kind of like we have been talking about it for way too long. But this last May she officially graduated from preschool and she is ready to go! Madi LOVES learning. She loves to ask questions and to learn anything she can. She loves to be told stories, fairy tales, Daddy tales, and even history tales, she loves the Anne Frank story and asks me if we can read her journal. ( I told her we will wait for that one!) She is really picking up on reading and spelling and gets really frusterated that she can't read whole books. She has got the three letter words and some four letter words down but it frusterates her to death that it takes her so long to sound out each word! I think the two things that she is most excited for is to learn to read and to ride that dang school bus! Why does that bus scare me so??? I swear for the first month of school I will be following it to and from school.

My 5 year old Baby!

Madi's preschool teacher was Mrs. Lisa and Madi absolutely adored her. She had such a fun year with lots of parties and field trips. She loved the spooky hill golfing in her costume, the Thaksgiving Feast, the trip to the shoe maker and voting booths, being mary in the Nativity program at the old folks home, the Valentines dance where she got to dance with Sean!! Her green party, talent show, watching baby chicks hatch and paint, Saving money to do a sub for Santa, trips to the park, animal shelter, the never ending show and tells that took us hours to decide what to take! She loved learning about recycling, manner magic, and stranger danger, and the list goes on and on! We luckily had a fantastic preschool year. I am so glad she had such a positive learning experience so she can contiune to look forward to learning and growing at school. Although it scares matt and I to death that our baby is about to begin school we are both so excited for her and so excited for all of the many memories and experiences that are coming her way. We think that she will just thrive and enjoy every aspect there.

She takes her parts pretty seriously!!

Madi Singing her little heart out during VIP we were dying laughing!!

Miss Livi Hendrix madi's best little preschool budddy!

2010-07-03T11:19:00.000-07:00

Max: Is tomorrow a play day?

Madi: Nope buddy tomorrow is Sunday

Max: Ahh man!

Madi: Ooohh that reminds me I've gotta keep my eye on Dad he likes to disobey!