How I manage to waste time!

Ok no picture for this post, but I just wanted to admit that I have wasted so much time lately watching all the new shows, facebook, reading blogs, and anything else that will help me avoid cleaning and laundry. I love doing all those time wasting things. Sadly though, they often make my day.
I am hoping by admitting this that I will be able to move on and try to be more productive in my home. I just don't know where to begin. Any ideas? Anyone want to come over and visit me while I clean? (you don't have to help, just be here for entertainment purposes and inspiration!?!)
I was also thinking that if I clean a lot I would stand more, and then I would burn more calories, and then I could lose some weight, instead of sitting and turning into a vegatable! How do you like my plan? I think it is inspired, now I need the motivation to begin. Elder Uchtdorf's talk helped me realize I should at least try to bring beauty to my home. I think I take my nice house for granted a lot and I want to make more effort to keep up with it and to help my kids understand the joy of a clean organized space. Then maybe they would help me and not make so many messes!?! Yea right! Wish me luck! And sorry that I ranted about that so long!

Thanksgiving Point Farm

I realized that I have been a bad mom to my younger two kids. I hardly ever take them anywhere. It seems like we are always trying to get the older kids to their things and then I don't want to add more to the schedule so I just don't do anything special with them. I am going to try and do better with that. So Dana and I took the little kids to Thanksgiving Point. This is Jace's first time on a Pony. He didn't dare do it early this spring, but he has grown up so much this summer that he wanted to try; and he didn't want me to walk by him. He loved it and did a great job!
Abbie just looking cute! She thinks she is so old and always wants to show it.
In the little jail where I wish I could keep my kids sometimes! I need one of these in my yard or something. Maybe my kids would mind if they thought I was going to lock them up!?!
Climbing on the fake lamb that I don't think we were supposed to touch! Eliza and Jace looked cute though!

Ouch!

Jace got a black eye on Saturday night when he was going to bed. He figured out how to climb into his crib using a chair and was showing me how big he was, but he slipped and hit hes eye really hard. He sat on my lap with ice on it forever without moving-that is how I know he was really hurting, he never sits still!:)
Now he just looks like a tough kid I guess. He likes to look at it in the mirror. Kids always make life exciting that's for sure!

Hallie's Baptism!

As you know Hallie recently turned 8! She was baptized by her dad yesterday. She has been counting down to this day forever and it was finally here!

Her brothers and sisters were really excited for her and were excited to watch the baptism.My aunt Pam brought up some white doves for her to release after the baptism. We did it at Natalie's and Hallie really wanted to do it too. It was fun to watch them circle around the church after Hallie let them go.

After we got done at the church we came back to our house for breakfast. Hallie got to open some nice gifts from her guests and new scriptures from mom and dad.

We had a wonderful tme and a great breakfast (if I do say so myself).Then Shane rushed to work and my dad and the brothers rushed to the BYU game! Go Cougars!

Abbie's first day of preschool!

The day is finally here! Abbie has been waiting and waiting for her first day at Shining Star Preschool! She was so excited to go to the school her big sisters went to. They got her so excited to have Mrs. Johnson as a teacher. Our whole family adores her. Her first day outfit. She picked it out herself. She was excited to wear her new shirt and new shoes, but for some reason wanted old jeans. She also loves her orange backpack because it is her favorite color. (I love it too because all three girls have used it for preschool and loved it yea!) Abbie didn't want me to walk her to the door she wanted to go it alone. I love a kid that is so confident.

Here is Jace ready for the gym with his sunglasses. Yes I said it, the gym. I am going to try and make it a habit while Abbie is at school! Wish me luck!

The ear piercing!

Hallie has been excited to get her ears pierced for a couple years now. I told the kids they could get them done when they turn eight. Today when it was time to get them done she started getting more and more nervous.

She was ok when we first sat down, but the longer we were there the more upset she got. She even had the other people shopping in the store gathering around to tell her she would be ok. It was a little rough, but now that they don't hurt anymore we catch her looking at herself in the mirror all the time! She loves how she looks! Happy birthday Hallie!

Happy Birthday Hallie!

Saturday was Hallie's 8th birthday! She is getting so big! We went to the Zoo with our cousins. Hallie wanted a picture by the Gorilla's. Sadly you can't see the Gorilla but it is right above her head by the logs. Here are the little monkeys standing by the big monkey!
I made Hallie this darling cupcake cake! Ok, I bought it, but I did think it was really cute. We had a picnic at the Zoo and we ate it there.
Here is Hallie telling us she is eight before she gets the first choice of cupcake. She went for the butterfly's head! Yum!
We had a really fun day and Hallie bought a stuffed monkey at the gift shop which I think was the highlight of her trip.