HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

God has blessed me with 4 smart, fun, hilarious, beautiful children who bring me so much joy each and every day. 6:00 AM, Mother's Day

Josh: Mom, wake up! I have a surprise for you

Mom: Honey, it's 6:00 in the morning. Come lay by mommy for awhile.

Josh: No! Mom, get up! I have something for you. Come in the kitchen and close your eyes.

.....Joshy made me breakfast all by himself. Cereal, milk and juice. What a sweetie! (I'll be telling this story for years to come.)

I ate my very early breakfast then we went back to bed.

My absolute favorite recent picture of Brynn! This is a portait of her personality...the cake certainly helps to capture it!

Cake-stache! Make a wish Car-Car!

Carli is 14. O.M.G.!!

Camping! Yea! Let the season of being outdoors begin!

Baby Madeline had to come camping too. (Of course!) Here Brynny feeds baby her bottle. She's such a good little mommy. Brynn is a very tired girl after hiking and is NOT in the mood for pictures.

Daddy shows Josh how to write in the sandstone wall.

Throwing rocks in the river is always fun...here comes a big one! Look out, Josh!

The boys! Outside=happiness

At the top of Chimney Rock checking out the view! Beautiful day! In a cave...just like the bears

Oooooh, look MOM!

My favorite quote from the weekend: "Look Mom! A 'waterfart'!!"

Family Skiing Day at Welch Village

Getting through the flat ground to the lifts is the toughest part about skiing. Cami has the waddle technique down, though, and can move pretty well.

Josh skis toward Dad...

...and successfully takes him down!

Joshy Boy Goes Skiing

We took Josh and Cami skiing on our day off from school. We had a blast! Josh was a quick learn on skis and soon was cruising down the green slopes all on his own. Our strategy of Josh hanging on to Mom or Dad's poles on the steep parts then letting go when he was ready worked great. He can't wait to get back on the slopes again soon

Make a Wish Brynny! YOU'RE THREE!!
All About Brynn:

Favorite Foods: black olives, shrimp, quesidillas, tater tots, broccoli, salad
Favorite Movie: Little Rascals
Favorite Song: Any song she makes up
Favorite Games: Uno, Cherry-O, "Slap-the-Jack"
Favorite Playmate: Joshua
Favorite Toys: Babies, Dolly house and her kitchen
Favorite Color: PINK Big smiles for the PINK princess cake

Big sissy Cami and Pooh Bear work on cutting out crowns for the Princess Brynn game

The themes: Princess Brynn --and PINK!

Pin the Crown on Princess Brynn

The Birthday girl put it right on the spot! Yea!

She reaches...we are all cheering!
Car-car plays pin the Brynn (a little high, Car!)

Brynny's new princess bike! Where do you ride a bike in the winter?? Around the kitchen island, of course. Big brother gives thse new bike-rider some valuable tips...(she's actually listening, I think).

Every gift was received with a geniune "Ooooh! I LOVE it!!!" --even the clothes. She's a girly girl.

**SNOW DAY SPECTACULAR**

Dan wins the F.O.Y. (Father of the Year) award for this one. I'm serious! The man said to me the other day after we had been snow-bound and house-bound once again "Let's have a fancy dinner and movie date night here with the kids." And **Snow Day Spectacular** was born. Complete with invitations, dressing up--not fancy, but gawdy--Daddy playing the waiter, Mom the cook and the kids were the guests. It was a great night. We laughed a lot and enjoyed the greatest company--one another.

Baby sister in the forefront; big sissy in the background (and I see a smile on her--a geniune, true, honest SMILE!! Yes!)

Mom cooks in her Senior recital dress she dug out of the kids' dress-up box. Hey, I DID wear it again...
Brynny carefully listens to her dinner choices from Daddy the waiter. She was a little leary of all the "strange" behavior (approached Mommy a few times and hugged my legs as if to say "what is going on?"), but she soon relaxed and enjoyed herself.

Joshua's outfit was awesome. Elmur Fudd's shirt, a Mickey Mouse tie (unfortunately hidden in this picture) and Daniel Boone's coonskin hat. I'm thinking he should just change his lastname to Clampett. Or Foxworthy.



The Belle of the ball. Or maybe it's Cinderella. Anyway, she's a princess.

Even the big sisters got into the party and had a great time. Cheers!