kids…kids…kids…

Valentines was a little bit of a crazy day…

5:45-Jason leaves for work

6:45- Bridger wakes up

7:00-Cooper wakes up

7:15-Bridger gets on bus

8:00-Hendrix arrives

8:15-Abigail arrives

9:00- Bennett, Deegan, Logan, Nikkya, Sayla, Kaden, Evelyn, arrive for preschool

9:00-11:30, Hendrix, Addisyn, Cooper, Bennett, Abigail, Deegan, Logan, Nikkya, Sayla, Kaden, Evelyn… all have preschool.

11:30- Preschool kids leave

11:40- Make lunch for Hendrix, Addisyn, Bennett, Abigail, Cooper and Nikkya.

12:10-Put Hendrix, Bennett and Abigail down for a nap.

3:00- Abigail’s dad picks her up.

3:15- Load Bennett, Hendrix, Addisyn and Cooper in the car.

3:25- Drop Bennett off at the Community School

3:30- pick up Bridger at school

3:35- Run into Driggs. Bridger broke the zipper on his coat, so I had to buy another coat.

4:05-Get gas because gas light just had to come on when I was in such a big hurry.

4:10- Run out to Jessica’s to deliver and pick up dinner {details to come…}

4:40- Drop off Hendrix to Lindsay

4:45- Pick up Kaden and Brooklyn so Alisha could go to the county meeting regarding the Stake Center.

6:00- Cook pizza and breadsticks, feed Jason, Addisyn, Bridger, Cooper, Kaden, and Brooklyn

7:15- Alisha comes to pick up Brooklyn and Kaden

7:40- Alisha, Brooklyn and Kaden leave.

7:45- Brush teeth, and get Pj’s on.

7:50- Addi and Jason dance

8:00- Prayers, B of M scripture story, and BED!!!

Aughhhhhh….. It was a crazy day.

I took a shower, and cuddled up on the couch next to my sweetheart and watched Top Gear. Very romantic I know, but it was soooooooooooo nice.

My saving grace for the day was a dinner exchange that Jessica and I have been doing for over a year now! I LOVE IT!!!!! On Mondays and Wednesdays when we make dinner we make double what we would use for our little families. Then, on Tuesdays and Thursdays we meet each other, and exchange dinner for that night! It really is awesome. So last night, with no thought whatsoever, with no preparation, … we had this!

Oh… how thankful I am for the brilliant idea we had! THANKS JES for the pizza and breadsticks! It really hit the spot, and really made my Valentine’s Day night that much more enjoyable.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

I hope everyone gets to spread a little love this Valentine’s Day!

This year I won’t be celebrating by a candle light dinner in some fancy restaurant, all dressed up, or a bubble bath full of rose peddles, a moon light walk on the beach… or any other romantic occasions!  This year I will be snuggled up on the couch, in my pj’s, with my 3 little ones, reading books and hearing the stories from their day. Then when the kiddos go to bed, Jason will wrap his arms around me, and I’m sure we will watch Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, or something equally romantic together… BUT I WILL LOVE EVERY MOMENT OF IT!

It was fun to watch the kids make Valentines this year. They were all so excited about taking them to class. Even Cooper…

I made some sugar cookies Sunday afternoon. I can’t stay out of them!!! They were suppose to get devoured at a friendly game of Dodge Ball… but, sadly we weren’t able to make it, so they keep staring at me.

I love this recipe. They are so soft and delicious. I would even go as far as to say they are my favorite sugar cookie…

Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies

1 C. butter

2 C. sugar

3 eggs

1 C. sour cream

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. vanilla

4 C. flour {I always add more like 5 cups}

Mix butter and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream, soda, and vanilla. Add flour; use as little flour as necessary, but add a little more if it makes the dough easier to handle. {*see my remarks} Roll dough out on lightly floured board, cut and bake on greased cookie sheet at 375 degrees until lightly browned. {I bake for 9 minuets}

* I always add more like 5 cups of flour. It is a VERY sticky dough. Before I try to roll them out, I put the dough in the freezer for about 15min. This will just make it not so sticky, but keep them light, and not more dense by adding extra flour. I have found in my oven that 9 minuets is the perfect cooking time.  I topped them with a cream cheese frosting, and they really are so so dang good!!! Enjoy

HAPPY VALENTINE”S DAY TO ALL THE PEOPLE I LOVE!!!!

Race #4 of the year…

Saturday morning we hit the road again. Destination… Island Park! Bridger had his 4th snowmobile race of the year. He took 1st place at the other three.  {I’m a little behind on blogging about those. I am still going to do it, but they will be back dated.} We are so proud of him. I just love that he loves it. He is passionate about it. He looks forward to a race all week long. It is so cute to see.

I was excited to hear that Grandpa Kenny was able to make it to this race. Grandpa raced for 16 years. He rulled the races. He has trophy after trophy. He was telling me that they would do cross country races, and ride 101miles. It would take 6+ hours, but his real passion was for the oval races. I love listening to my dad talk about stuff like this. 

Grandpa stopped and grab Logan for the races. I think he had a great time. He was super shy the whole day, and just took it all in! Love him so much!!!

I video tape and try to get pictures of all the races, but with Cooper always hanging on me, it gets a little difficult. Here are some pictures from the day.
They do 2 heats, then a final race.

Making the final corner of the first lap…

Headed up the hill…

Jumping the top… it is so cute, he actually gets air sometimes. He is a very good little rider. He has it running through his blood I think, just like Grandpa Kenny.

Look, the ski’s are off the ground… GO BUDDY!!!

A proud dad ushering him on… Go! Go! Go!!!

I like this picture. You can completely see the determination in his eyes.

What a STUD!!!!!

Waiting for the trophy presentation. I just think this is cute. Cooper would love nothing more then to be doing it to. Next year we will have two racers on our hands I think.

At the end of the day Bridger took 2nd this race. We were so happy for him. I hate to be that person, but Bridge would have took 1st this time again, but there was a dad who snuck a mod sled into the speed limited class, and stomped Bridge in the final race. He cheated, and he knew it. Right after the race he loaded his sleds {a stock sled, and a mod sled} grabbed his trophy and was out of there. He knew he was wrong, and wouldn't even wait until the presentation! Just sucks that people have to do that. BUT… we are so happy with the way Bridger raced. It is good not to win them all. It keeps you trying your best!!!

Way to go Boog. I love you so much! We are so proud of you. THANKS so much to Grandpa Kenny and Logan for coming and supporting us today. We know it was a sacrifice, and we appreciate it.

“Will You Marry Me?”

12 years ago, with a rose in hand, sitting on a bench in the Rexburg park, Jason said those words to me! I can remember it like it was only a year ago. It really doesn’t seem like it has been 12 years. That is a long time.  Crazy how the years have come and gone. Oh how I am grateful for each of them. The trials and tribulations of each year, and the monumental moments that have taken place. The times we laughed together, and the times we cried together! I am so luck to be married to him. He is truly my Best Friend. I love him with my whole heart.

He is not the romantic kind. He just isn’t! BUT…

when they came home today the kids rang the doorbell, and said

“Will you Marry Dad again?”

Bridger was holding a card, Cooper a bag of candy, and Addi a dozen roses.

It made my heart skip a beat!

He walks in and says “You thought I forgot, didn’t you?” I laughed out loud. Not because he said that, but because yesterday I had my planner on the counter, and had wrote “Jas proposed 12 years ago” on February 12.  Last night I saw him glancing at it, then taking a double take…  he was totally caught! He laughed when I told him that.

It doesn’t really matter how he remembered, what does is that we still like each other, we have fun together, and we love each other so much!

Thanks for choosing me to be your Eternal Companion!!! I love you Jas

I should care…

… but I don’t!!! As long as it helps potty train him, then I am okay with it!

About 2 weeks ago, I decided I would start potty training Cooper. We watched the Signing Time, Potty Time movie, and put on the potty watch! The first day was awesome! He had very few accidents… BUT this is where he decided to pee…

Laughing… he would just open the door. Pee. Then come a running to me in complete excitement! Honestly, I couldn’t crush his enthusiasm. Could I??? So, I have continued to let him pee outside. I have tried to encourage it in the snow, not in the garage. He has done awesome though! I am so proud of him. He is wearing his underwear for naps, and hasn’t had an accident yet. He wore them to church, and no accidents! Yeah!!! In the last week, he has even woke up with a dry diaper every night!!!!!  You are awesome Coop! Mom loves you so much. Keep up the good work Bud.

{Burr}

Come rain or shine, it doesn’t matter, my boys LOVE to ride the snow machine! They would stay out there all day long. After about 1 1/2 hours of riding, this is what they looked like when they came in! BURRRRRRR

Tender

Sometimes it is just the smallest little acts of love that melt a moms heart! This was one for me…

This might look silly to some, but to me it was pretty precious! There was no fighting, no crying, no whining… all 3 of them were enjoying each others company! They were playing together. Oh… how refreshing it was to me! They just don’t happen often enough!

Banana Muffins

I had some bananas that needed either used, or thrown away… so I decided to make some banana muffins! Like everything that I do, I always have a few extra hands. Well, normally I like the opportunity to cook with the kids, and enjoy doing something fun with them. WELL… {can you just guess what comes next}… THIS WAS NOT ONE OF THEM!!!!! A simple task of making muffins turned into this…

I was NOT happy!!! I turned my back to grab baking soda, and cooper turned on the kitchen aid to #9!!! A HUGE cloud of flour went everywhere. I will admit I didn’t exactly act like an adult! Not my proudest moment, that is for sure.

But… after it was all said and done. We all sat an enjoyed a very delicious Banana Muffin.

Here is the recipe. They were really good. Even if it was a very frustrating 30 minuets

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

  

Every night I pray for more patience with my kids. I pray that I can be a better example to them. I pray that I will be the person I expect them to be… I have got to stop praying for patience. I think Heavenly Father is only giving me more opportunities to be patient with them, and all of the above! Laughing… Someday I will be grateful for the moments I am given to make me more patient, BUT, right now I wish I didn’t have so many of them!!!