HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANE!

Shane turned 4 this past week. I am amazed at how time flies so quickly.
He is still super cute and loves to snuggle with me. He loves his big brothers and playing games. He is really smart and I love the little things he says that catch me off guard so often. He is a sweet big brother and loves his little brother they play very well. We will be looking at pre-school's for next year and he is very excited to be going to school like Jared and Dallin. He knows a few of his letters already and how to count to 10. He is one smart cookie. He is always singing a song as he plays, his favorite is "Teach me to Walk"
This year we didn't do anything really spectacular for his birthday. We got him a cake and had a mini party with his cousins on Friday, then another on Monday his real birthday. He loves all his presents and wants to go fishing for his present from Mom & Dad. We will go soon.

German Chocolate Cake Yummy!

Presents! ! ! !

A microphone for singing our songs

Batman Imaginex Car that goes by its self.

We went to Old Chicago for Pizza and milkshakes. Per the Birthday Boys request.

Shane picked out this Cake, he loves Cars.

Mothers Day

For Mothers Day we decided to go to the Sylvan Dale Ranch for a picnic. It was a beautiful day and perfect for a day out. Apparently we weren't the only ones that had the same idea. There were a lot of people out. The Ranch was offering free horse carriage rides so we took the boys. Then we walked around a bit.

I feel so blessed this Mothers Day as I think of my wonderful boys. Yes we have our trials but all in all the Lord has blessed me with 4 beautiful little boys and a great husband whom I love and adore. Jared and Dallin made me some priceless gifts at school, I love them.

I was also able to talk with my Mom and Grandma and tell them that I love them and appreciate them.

I'm not good at writing the things that I feel. I am much better at taking pictures, so . . .

Having some trail mix as we wait for the horse ride.

Big horse.

Horses at pasture. This is what beautiful means.

This is the Canyon. We live 2 miles from here. I am one lucky girl.

Liam my sweet little boy.

The trees are blooming, Spring is here.

Dallin & Shane walking, A rare moment when they are actually getting along. :o)

Little brother pushing two big brothers on the swing.

Now this is the way to travel. Liam with his little legs just couldn't keep up with his brothers.



I just realized that I am in none of the pictures taken on Mothers Day. Oh Well. :o)
I hope all you had a wonderful day.
Love, Christina

The Cabin

We were able to spend Easter weekend at the Cabin in Utah. We left beautiful 60 degree weather here in Colorado and drove for 8 hours into 30 degree weather and 2 feet of snow over the weekend. Its supposed to snow at a cabin so it was great. I loved going to bed and waking up to 6 more inches of snow every morning. It's Aaron's, Mom's Cabin and her father built it in the 70s. But it is full of all the conveniences that you would like. We were able to watch a little of Conference even. There was a couple from Africa that came for a night their names were Eastman and Moijama they had a 1 yr old boy called Sesay and he was adorable. Jared loved that they were from Africa and asked Eastman if he had ever seen spiders and snakes and lions and Hippos. Eastman told the boys about deadly snakes and the boys were super impressed.

Sesay in the window light.

The mountains are beautiful and I couldn't get over the beauty of the dark green evergreens contrasted with the brilliant white snow. Then the white bark of the aspen trees are beautiful. Aaron took me out on a mini date with my camera and I was able to get some wonderful pictures of the beautiful trees. I think I am in love with nature photography.

This one's my favorite.

It was the first time I had ever driven a snowmobile and I LOVED it. The boys had a great time. We pulled the boys around on a sled and a tube tied to the back of the snowmobile and the 4 wheeler. When they started turning blue we took them home to the cabin for cocoa and a movie. Then the adults played a little longer. I learned that you can get a type of sunburn from playing in the snow, my face was bright red. (sorry no pictures of that)

Dallin riding on the sled. Moijama & Eastman driving.

The token picture of the photographer. :o)

Have you ever seen a happier man?

We figured out pretty fast to ride backwards to avoid the snow pelting you in the face.

At one point Shane's hat was completely covered in snow, he had it pulled completely pulled over his face while riding the sled.

Jared, dreaming of the day he gets to drive. Only 6 short years to go. Scary.

Eastman with Shane on the Snowmobile.

When Shane wasn't on the sled he was on the back of the snowmobile.

Eastman & Moijama on the 4 wheeler.

So as I am making these really great meatballs for dinner the power goes out and stays out. So if we were going to eat dinner the only choice was to cook it the OLD fashion way. All I can say is I admire those women who did this all the time, and I am SO grateful for my modern stove and oven. :o)

Its a good thing the stove was large enough for the pans to sit on. :o)

It was a great trip and we hope to continue the tradition of going to the cabin often. Its a nice drive from here to there. And if any of you are interested in a weekend away just let us know, we will meet you at the cabin.

Love to you all!

The BEST Play dough ever! And its homemade.

Today I made play dough and I promised my sister that I would post the recipe. So here ya go Lisa. Enjoy!

You will need 2 c. flour, 1 c. salt, 4 T. Cream of Tartar, 2 T. Oil and 2 c. cold water.

And a pot.

Add to pot : 2 c. Flour

4 T. Cream of Tartar

1 c. Salt

MIx it all together well.

Add 2 T. Oil ( I use Canola because that is what I cook with.)

Add 2 c. water and stir.

Turn the heat on to Med / High and keep stirring.

Oops I forgot. Add your color and scent. We use Kool Aid. This time Shane chose Pink. The color didn't turn out that bright but it smells lemony.

Keep Stirring.

This is what you are looking for. Its almost play dough.

Soon it will start peeling away from the sides of the pot. As soon as all of it forms into a ball it is done. Take it off the heat.

Knead it out a few times on the table to cool down. If your little ones will let you.

This Play Dough keeps for a LONG time, we just keep it in a Gal. Ziplock bag in with the bucket of play toys.

Play and Enjoy!

Unwilling Models

So Yesterday I really wanted to go out and take pictures of my boys, the light was just right. So I gathered my camera and two unwilling boys and went out side. This took probably 30 minutes. (Shane does not like getting clothes on)

So I started with Shane and tried hard to get him to keep his tongue in his mouth. He was not having it. And there is nothing more uncooperative as a boy who does not want his picture taken any more. So I gave up. I did manage to get two that are not too bad.

Liam was a little more cooperative, after I sat him in a chair. I was not willing to run after him. Its still a little muddy outside. He is almost grown out of this adorable corduroy jacket and I had to get some cute pictures of him in it. He was willing for a few minutes until he saw that Shane was playing and realized that he would rather be there than sitting in a chair with Mom pointing a camera at him.

So now I have to submit one of the Liam photos for my unit 3 assignment. I have a vote for the second one. What do you think?