The newest member of our family

We want to introduce you to our newest addition. His name is Ty. We adopted him from our neighbors across the street. They were moving and couldn't bring Ty with them.

We have been thinking about getting a dog for quite a while, and just couldn't take the leap! But Ty is already 5 years old house broken and is very calm and fun to have around.

The boys LOVE having another boy in the family... hahaha

They follow him everywhere, are always saying hi to him and asking him to come play. Graham loves to give him hugs and kisses and the big boys like to cuddle with him and run around with him in the back yard.

I was worried it would be a big adjustment but he fits RIGHT into the family!

Joy School Graduation

Cooper has spent the last year in Joy School. It has been such a fun Preschool. All through school Cooper has been working on his speech and his natural shyness. He has grown leaps and bounds when it comes to his speech! He is getting so big! But he is still, oh so shy!

All through graduation he was hiding his face. He sang along with all the other kids but very quietly. It was so sweet!

He kept looking at his teacher, and tryed to avoid eye contact with anyone in the audience!

I really sympathized with him, BJ and I could tell it was just tearing him up inside to be in front of all the parents and family!

When he did dare to look out he would look right up at me, I would smile and give him a thumbs up and he would look down and smile! I just love my tender little Coop!

The kids did a graduation march as we hummed the the grad song.

He was so proud that Daddy and all his brothers could come!

His teacher, Miss Susanne was so wonderful with him. Every day he come into class and cover his eyes and hide behind me. And Miss Susanne would take him by the hand and bring him over to the opening activity. She made a caring effort to help him feel comfortable and included.

It meant a lot to Cooper! I think her compassion and patience really contributed to his growth!

We are so proud of the sweet, sensitive and caring boy Cooper is becoming! WE love you so much Coop!

Hiking in the Rain

So we went on a hike today. We were all so excited to get outside. It has been raining and even hailing here all week! When we woke up there was sunshine outside and after a yummy breakfast we decided to get our butts outside and enjoy the sun!

We got ready pretty fast and got out the door. But by the time we got in the car we could see the rain clouds starting to roll in... we decided to just go for it anyway and have fun no matter what the weather was going to do! We threw in some sweatshirts and hit to road!

By the time we got there it was sprinkling and we could see the storm clouds coming towards the mountain! But it was such a pretty spot and we were all excited so we decided to just make the best of it and hike a long for as long as we could!

Its amazing how much fun you can have if you just have a positive attitude and go with it! I have been amazed at how happy we have all been this last year! We have had so many stressers! But instead of focusing on them and how awful it all is we have stuck together and just had fun together!

After the rain started to really come down we ate our sandwiches in the car and went for an amazing drive up the canyon!

Its such a good lesson to me to just enjoy the small good things around you or you will miss out on so much happiness!

Fixing Up the House

We are still working on the front yard.... I need to get it together and decide what flowers I want out here!! But today we weeded (again) and ripped out a bunch of the plants that were there that we really hated!

This big shrub was a really stubborn one so we gave it a few more days! But its gonna go too! I am hoping to plant, peonies, hydrangea, hostas, and a few others... I just have to figure out WHAT!

It looks SO much better without all the weeds and nasty plants!

So many possibilities....

Here is the view of our garden in the back yard.. and the one remaining shrub we still need to pull out!

Here is our little island full of corn! Hmm I am SO excited!!!!

Our long row of tomatoes, and peppers and peas! We went with 4 different varieties of tomatoes so our salsa would be super flavorful!

In the corner in rows we have onions, carrots and the two long rows are lettuce.

Strawberries, blueberries and just outside the pic our zucchini plant.

Here are the 2 large and very stubborn tall shrubs BJ (THE MANLY MAN) tore out!

These are the shrubs and bushes we ripped out of the front and back!

I have added a few things to the living room! I have searched and searched for end tables on KSL, and finally found two! Adding things to the house is a slow process because I need to be VERY thrifty! But I have to tell you when I do find what I am looking for its SO worth the wait!

This black one came all re-finished and was on $20! I found the lamp at the D I for $3 and the plant on sale!

I wanted tables that were a little more vintage and eclectic then just the popular square chunky furniture I see everywhere!

I wanted two different tables to add to that eclectic feeling I want! This one needed to be refinished but it was only $8 so I was happy to add the needed TLC!

I also added the curtains and the large plant! Both of which I found on sale!!!

I am still looking for accessories for these tables but the ones I have so far I found around at yard sales for a couple bucks or less! YEA!!!!!

I added drapes in the Kitchen! I also added a matching curtian and rod on the back door! We really needed I think the neighbors know us a little TOO well! The big window in the door was not good for late night strolls when you are naked!! wink wink

I love making our house a little more like a home, and doing it all on a budget!!

Dad Had a Birthday Shout.... Hurray

Bj had his birthday the week of finals this year so we kept is simple! But the boys and I wanted to make him a little something special!

SO each boy drew a picture of their favorite thing to do with Dad and then got him a small gift to go with their picture!

Spencer drew a picture of Him and BJ playing with Legos! And was very set on getting him a few lego figures! They all had a blast opening them to see which guys he got!

Cooper said his favorite thing to do with Dad was go camping! So he drew a very detailed picture with a campfire, tent and even a baby cheetah hiding in the tent! :) His gift was a new pair of hiking socks (BJ loves those nice socks!!)

Grahamy was a bit more of a challenge but we remembered he always asks Dad to make his pancakes! BJ and the boys LOVE to have pancakes on the weekends! So we got him a new skillet so he could make them in style! (I helped Graham with his drawing :)

I forgot to get pictures of his two other gifts but we got him a HUGE Nerf gun because he loves to have wars with boys and a few new work out things!

Overall I think the best gift was finishing the semester! :)

Shiny and Spiffy for Easter

Look at these SNAZY looking Studs! They are so dang cute!

Even Spencer and his "too cool for this"loook make me goosh with pride! I gotta love the energy, Cooper! That is a classic stylish pose!
Check out the close up... Dressing up on Easter isnt a big deal to these manly men but I sure love seeing them all shiny and spiffy!
And for this one I even got a smile!
Arent they just the best...

Our Ward Easter Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt!

Spencer and that Pouty Elephant Lip! If Grandad were here he would PINCH that lip off!

And the Spencer translation.. "Come on mom not ANOTHER picture!"
"Look what I found mom.."
Searching....
Searching and Jumping...
Climbing and Searching...
Is this where I put the eggs?....
I found one I found one....
Some of the eggs were too special not to show off...
Lets take inventory....
Oh wow thats a lot...

There is that sweet smiley little boy! I sure love that face!
Happy Easter and Happy Easter Bunny Day!!