Opinions Please....

So I want to enter Grace in the Regis & Kelly Beautiful Baby Search. I know...I'm weird. But to me Grace is just SO adorable that I might as well give it a try...you never know right. LOL! I entered Tyson when he was about 7 months old. He wasn't selected but his picture did make it on the show...I thought that was cool. I need your opinions on what picture I should send to them. I can't decide...they are all so cute to me. So post a comment on which picture I should send to the show...if you don't mind.

ALL of you have BEAUTIFUL babies/children so why not enter the contest too.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

I know she isn't looking at the camera, but I just love the lighting and think her expression is so cute.

Photo 4

Holy HUGE flower I know, but still kinda cute don't you think?

THANKS for your help. I'll let you know by Monday what picture I used.

Photo Friday Week:5

Here are my photos for this week. Enjoy!

25 Random Things...

So no one tagged me to do this but I thought I would anyways. Maybe you will learn something new about me. LOL!

1. I am the oldest in my family.


2. I have 2 sisters


3. I have 3 kids: Tyson, Carson & Grace


4. I met my husband at the dental office where I worked. I guess you can say it was love over a root canal. LOL!


5. I went to school to be a dental assistant


6. I LOVE PINK


7. I have had several scrapbooking pages & projects published in magazines


8. I always have my toenails painted


9. I have been on 2 cruises..and want to go again...SO BAD!


10. I am excited to go to Women's Conference in April/May with my sisters & mom.


11. I shot a deer when I was 14...I think. I did it once to make my dad happy...but will never do it again, I'll leave the hunting up to my sister who loves it.


12. I had the opportunity to meet President Benson when he came to Cardston for the re-dedication of the temple.


13. I was a member of the Cardston Girls Choir


14. I LOVE Mexican food.


15. I HATE bad service at restaurants


16. I had a roommate in college that was a nanny for Marie Osmond. No I never got to meet her. BOO HOO!


17. I gave birth to all 3 of my kids WITHOUT any drugs. Not that I'm against them though. LOL!


18. I want to see Yosemite National Park


19. I have been to the Grand Canyon


20. I want to learn more about photography


21. I would love to learn Spanish


22. I love getting a massage


23. I am addicted to watching the Bachelor.


24. I LOVE anything chocolate...but who doesn't right?


25. Both Tyson & Grace have the exact same birthmark in the very same spot (okay that wasn't about me...but I am running out of ideas. LOL)

Laughter...the BEST Medicine...

Last night a bunch of girls and I got together at Tiffany's house for a "Girl's Games" night. We seriously had SO MUCH FUN! We had great food...and didn't worry about ALL the calories we were eating...well at least I didn't. LOL! I brought Cream Cheese Caramel Apple Dip. I wish I had a picture of it to show you cause it is SO delish, but here is the recipe if you want to give it a try.

1 pkg. Cream Cheese

1/4 c. Brown Sugar

Lighthouse Caramel Apple Dip

Skor Bits or Skor Chocolate Bar

1. Mix cream cheese and brown sugar together with electric mixer. Spread out on a dinner plate.

2. Pour caramel dip on top of cream cheese and spread out.

3. Sprinkle the top with skor bits or crushed up skor chocolate bar.

Use apples to dip. Seriously SO yummy...you won't be able to stop eating it!

We had so much fun playing Aggravation (like Phase 10) and boy were we getting aggravated! We also played Catch Phrase and were literally rolling with laughter. I haven't laughed that hard in a VERY long time...and it felt SO good! It is great sometimes to just act silly and have a good old time!

I was also really happy that none of our conversations turned to gossipping about someone. It is easy when you get a bunch of girls together to start finding fault with other people & I was happy that it didn't turn out that way last night. I was able to have my perception of someone changed and that was a good thing. Sometimes we are just so quick to judge before we really know someone. We were all being quite candid and I was quite shocked to find that some people think that I am snotty until they get to know me, then they totally have a different opinion of me. I also found out that people think that Tiffany & I together can be quite intimidating because we are ALWAYS together and it is hard to get to know us cause we are happy with just the 2 of us. It was a great night to get to know each other better and I think we all learned a little something...at least I did.

Laughter really is the best medicine. With our world in the turmoil that it is in and with the stresses of everyday life it really is easy to get bogged down with negativity. Most times we don't find the humor in things, we are too rigid and uptight. Laughing releases good endorphins and makes us feel good. Doesn't everyone want to feel good...or better? I know I sure do! So this week I am going to try and find humor in more things and laugh more...it sure won't cause any harm now will it. LOL!

Photo Friday Week: 4

Here we are again at Photo Friday. Man this week seemed to go by FAST...

Week 4 Pictures

This kid seriously CRACKS ME UP! He has such a fun, easy going attitude. He came with his underwear on his head and said, "Look mom, my costume." I couldn't help but grab the camera and take a few pictures of this little guy.

Gracie all decked out in the toque & scarf given to her by one of our Japanese exchange students from last year.

Things You Learn On The Playground...

It has started...the innocence of my 6 year old is slowly getting tarnished. The other day when Tyson was with Tyler he mentioned something like, "watch out or I am going to kick you in the NUTS." Tyler was SHOCKED when he heard Tyson refer to anatomy with this type of slang. We don't use that word to describe body parts in our home and so of course he was naturally surprised to hear Tyson using it. Tyler very calmly asked Tyson where he had heard that language and he told him, "at school at recess."

I had been warned by friends with older children that kids learn many things at recess...most of them not good things. I have dreaded this day for quite awhile. Tyson is such a sweet innocent boy who loves to please his parents. He is very quick to say he is sorry when he does something he knows he shouldn't and tries very hard to obey. I asked Tyler how he handled the situation with the slang term and he said that he didn't say much. I knew I needed to take the opportunity to teach Tyson that language like that isn't proper or accepted in our family. I didn't want him to think he was in trouble because he really didn't know that it was wrong...now he does. I explained to him that some kids will use inappropriate words to describe body parts and that isn't how I would like him to talk and that he should just walk away if he hears people using that kind of language. Know he know...know I hope he listens and doesn't use word like that again...EVER!I remember as a teenager using profanity because I thought it made me look cool. Now I totally know better and look back on that with much regret. To this day I am not perfect and let the occasional four letter word slip, but I admit I am way more careful of the language I use. I believe that language really reflects the type of person you are and what is acceptable to you. I have often heard kids at the mall or in line for a movie talking with such vulgarity that I personally wanted to wash their mouth out with soap. I have on occasion even told kids to stop using such language. Immediately they are apologetic and realize they shouldn't be talking that way. I'm sure in most cases they feel like I did as a teenager...they think it is cool to talk that way, but what they don't realize is that it has the very opposite effect on people. I also remember and incident where my sister heard some teenagers boys & girls talking very graphically about sex...and there were little kids around. I immediately walked into the lake where they were chatting and told them politely that I didn't think their mother's would be pleased with them if they knew what they were talking about & that little children didn't need to be around such vulgar language. Of course they apologized and stopped.

Now I don't mean to sound like I am the language police or that I scrutinize every person who I hear use bad language, but it is something that I am sensitive about and something I definitely don't want my children subjected too. Sometimes we just need to take a stand and let others know that what they are doing is offensive, hopefully we can do it in a polite manner. I hope that as my boys grow older and are in public more by themselves with their friends that those who know them will keep an eye out for them and the behaviour that they use & also the language they use. I think the saying is so true that it takes a village to raise a child. A parent can't be the eyes and ears for their children all of the time. It takes a community, church leaders, family & friends to help kids reach their highest potential. I have often commented to Tyler on teenagers behaviour and said, "If my boys ever do that they will be in SO much trouble!" I hope and pray that I can raise them to be good citizens who are polite and use their manners. Who can act appropriately in public and speak with language that isn't offensive. I think that it is so sad that in our society we have to be worried what our 6 year olds are learning on the play ground. Kids are learning at a way earlier age about sex, drugs and other inappropriate things...from the playground! I am sad to say that we can't keep our kids off the playground or locked in the classroom during recess...although I wish I could. We just have to teach them at home BEFORE they hear it at school so they will know what is right and wrong, and what is decent and acceptable. It is a scary world we live in...but together as a community, church organization, friends & family I am convinced that we can raise up a righteous generation. Who will stand up for their standards and who won't be pressured in to the temptations of the adversary.

Photo Friday Week: 3

Here are my pictures for this week. I still haven't had the time to actually "learn" my camera. I have found some Great websites though that have been great. Here they are in case anyone else wants to learn a few things too.

http://learningtoclick.blogspot.com/

http://phototips.alexismiller.com/

And for those of you wanting to learn Photoshop here are some good sites:

http://coffeeteaphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.photoshopessentials.com/basics/

Week: 3

Tyson ( our little Paleontologist) got this Dinosaur excavation kit for Christmas. Here he s digging for bones.

Here he is hard at work.

Here is Carson...completely tuckered out!

I Will Miss...

I can't believe that Grace is over 6 months old. It just seems like yesterday I was going to the hospital to have her...and here we are 6 months later. Yesterday I took her to the health unit for her 6 month shots. He now weights 14.4 lbs (20th %) and I can't remember her height but she was just over the 50th % for that. She is definitely my fastest growing baby by far! I think both the boys were well over 9 months before they hit 15lbs, and even know Carson only weighs 26lbs and he is 4!

With Grace getting older and achieving so many things like going on a bottle, getting 2 teeth, eating baby food, I have really been thinking about my life and how this part of it is over. There will be no more babies, no more breastfeeding, no more toothless grins. In a way I am so sad for this season in my life to end, but excited at the same time for the next phase of life to continue. I am excited and looking forward to not buying diapers anymore and more excited to not have to change them. LOL! I am excited to watch Grace grow and develop into a toddler and to hear her first words. There are so many 1st that 1st year of life for a baby and each milestone is so exciting! Along will new milestones comes things that will never be new again like the first time she rolls over (which she hasn't done yet.) or the first time they talk or walk. As each phase of life changes I am sure there will be things that I will miss and one of them for me is I think will be breastfeeding my babies. Although it isn't easy for all women I guess I was a lucky one and never had any problems with any of my kids. They were all good nursers. And even though nursing your baby "ties" you down more and can be a bit restricting the positives way out weight the negatives. What I mostly enjoy about nursing is that time between them and I and the bond I it brings. I love the middle of the night feedings where Grace is cuddled up next to me in bed and she is nursing and I am just content in knowing that I am providing her with what she needs and that I have something that can easily sooth her. She isn't completely done nursing yet...but quickly getting there.

I remember when I was newly married and saw mom's nursing how I swore I would NEVER nurse in public and how that was just obscene. WOW has my view changed. For those that know me they will know that I nurse everywhere...no situation stops me. Mind you I am discreet and cover up, which I think is appropriate. I remember nursing in Wal-Mart sitting on one of those benches they have sporadically in the store and a women came up to me and said, "good for you nursing your baby in here." I said, "well it is just natural for me and if people don't like it, it is their problem. Plus would they rather listen to her scream?" I thought about our society and how breastfeeding seems to have a negative affect on people...especially in public. I just have to say GET OVER IT! This is what Heavenly Father designed women's bodies to do and it is our way of providing nourishment to our babies. Enough said about breastfeeding...you can see I am an advocate for it and I will never have negative feelings towards it like I first did. I realize that not all women are able to nurse their babies, and I don't hold that against anyone, or for those women who just choose not to. Sometimes it just works and clicks with mother & baby, and sometimes it doesn't and no one needs to feel like a bad mother because of it. I am just thankful that it worked out for me.

So here is a picture of my little princess Grace at 6 months old. Her teeth aren't quite in far enough for you to see them yet. This little baby has brought so much joy into our family. Tyson keeps saying he can't wait for her to start walking so he can play with her. Grace truly does have the BEST big brothers in the world!

Photo Friday Week 2...

Photo Friday Week:2

Here are my 2 little hooligans. I took them to see the 3D movie Bolt a week or so ago and the boys have had so much fun wearing the crazy glasses we got to watch the movie. Carson especially looks funny because they are SO big! I didn't do much editing to these pictures just adjusted the brightness/contrast and converted them into Black & White.

New Photo Friday...A Day Early...

Some of you may know that I got a new camera for Christmas. I am totally thrilled with it. I was just getting so frustrated with my point and shoot with it not giving me good pictures. So I decided to ask Santa if he would be so kind and bring me an Canon SLR. Santa didn't disappoint me and I opened a beautiful Canon XS on Christmas morning. With it being a higher quality camera comes a lot more to learn...but I am willing. I only wish I could learn it ALL overnight. LOL! I don't want to pursue a career in photography I just want to be able to take great pictures of my kids...so I don't have to pay someone else too. Although I have been 100% happy with the professional pictures I have had taken. I would just like to update them more...and with more affordability. So with all that said...I have deiced to do a Photo Friday on my blog where I will post a few pictures of our everyday life to capture all of fun...and not so fun moments. At the end of the year I am going to compile them and make a Shutterfly album with them. So to kick off my 1st week...here are some pictures taken of Carson on January 1st.

Photo Friday Week: 1

This is a 10x20 storyboard. I have read lots of photography blogs lately and the more I read the more I am learning that you just have to take LOTS of pictures to get better. So that is my goal this year...to take LOTS of pictures and figure this camera out. I am also thinking about taking a digital photography class in the spring. Stay tuned for tomorrow's Photo Friday...I took some cute pictures of Grace.

Out With The Old...IN With The NEW...

I can't believe that it is 2009 already! I know I mention this A LOT but time is going by SO darn fast. 2008 was a great year and I am planning on making 2009 even better. I have been thinking about 2008 and all the fun, exciting memories we made. Here is a quick look back...thanks to Christal for posting this.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you've never done before?

Gave birth to a baby girl!

2. Did you keep your New Year's Resolutions and will you make more for next year?

You know I can't remember if I made any resolutions last year...so I guess that means if I can't remember I probably didn't keep them :( This year I am going to try harder and make some goals and enjoy the journey with trying to complete them.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes...I DID! I had a beautiful baby girl, Julia Grace on July 1st. She has brought so much joy into our family. He 2 brothers just adore her and are very protective of her. It is so fun to see them with her & watch them love her.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately NO! But as my grandparents get older and their health declines I can't help but think that there time here on this earth is getting shorter and shorter. I need to make a better effort to visit more often and let my kids get to know them.

5. What places have you visited?

We did lots of camping this year, and we visited our usual fun places. Wasa Lake, Surveyor's Lake & Kalispell. I am hoping next year to go on a trip with Tyler. We will see how that pans out. LOL!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

More PATIENCE! Can you ever have enough...I don't think so! I would also like to spend more quality time with Tyler, without cell phones & TV getting in the way!

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched in your memory and why?

July 1st, the day Grace was born. It was a totally CRAZY day! When we went to the hospital it was beautiful outside. By 12:00 p.m. it was thundering & lightning and raining cats & dogs! It was a crazy storm...but amidst all the doom and gloom outside we brought into our family a beautiful baby girl. We were so blessed!

Also December 11th week...It was my birthday and Tyler really went out of his way to make me feel special and told me that lots.

8. What was your biggest achievement this year?

Giving birth to my daughter OH NATURAL...no meds. Luckily for me all of my labours have been fast so there isn't time for any pain medication.

Also just letting some things go...like the kids toys being left out in the basement. It has been a bit of a stress relief to realize that it is okay to have a bit of clutter and just let my kids be...KIDS! The mess can always be cleaned up. Funny thing is though...Tyson doesn't NOT like his room to be messy. I wonder where he got that from? LOL!

9. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Thankfully NO! Everyone in our family was quite healthy this year...and went without any major injuries.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

Our GPS. I think we bought it this year. It is so darn handy...I would recommend one for anyone! You will never get lost again, and your hubby won't be too stubborn to ask for directions. LOL!

11. Where did most of your money go?

Other than the usual mortgage, bills & gas, probably on baby clothes for Grace. I have to admit...I went CRAZY! LOL!

12. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Love Song: Taylor Swift

Just Dance: Lady Gaga

Womanizer: Brittney Spears

Bella's Lullaby: Twilight Soundtrack

13. What do you wish you would have done more of?

More quality time with my kids. The TV has been quite a good babysitter especially when I was pregnant.

14. What do you wish you would have done less of?

Wasting time, nagging at Tyler, yelling at my kids, stressing out over little things. Oh man...I could list lots of things! LOL!

15. What was your favorite TV program?

Little People Big World

John & Kate Plus 8

Grey's Anatomy (when it wasn't too smutty...if it was...off it went)

Private Practise

16. What was the best book you read this year?

Oh I read lots of good books this year...

Book of Negro's

Twilight Series

A Boy Soldier

17. What was your favorite film of the year?

Mama Mia

Australia

Eagle Eye

18. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I turned...31...this year! WOW...I am starting to feel old. I had a GREAT birthday WEEK! Tyler spoiled me and bought me a Blue Topaz & Diamond ring, took me out to supper and a movie. Then my sister and friends and I went out for a girls night. There were kids school concerts that week and they were both SO cute. It was a great birthday week...everyone made me feel so special and loved.

19. What political issue stirred you the most?

I am so bad when it comes to politics...I don't know ANYTHING! I do vote...but usually go with the advice of a friend or family member. I was excited for the US though when Barack Obama was elected the new President. How thrilling it is for all African American people to know now there is nothing they can't achieve. Definitely a great historical moment!

20. Who was the best new person you met?

Hmmm I don't really think I met anyone new. But I did get to know a friend better. Thanks Pam for sharing your life with me and for being such a good friend!