Big Changes for my Baby Girl

Katie Jo Marie is now 7 months old
This last week has brought some really big changes for Katie Jo.

I am just not ready for some of them, but she sure seems ready!
She holds her own bottle down to the very last drop. Teethers - Two to boot!

And Feet!! None of my other kids ever found their feet, I guess their tummies got in the way ;)

and last but not least finally her crib. She stayed small for so long we just kept putting it off. I think she likes it.

Fresh from the Farm!

Right by Steve's work is a corn field and they sell the corn, $4.75 a Doz.
You pay, they pick, Life is sweet. So is the corn!

Summer Vacation has begun!!

So today we headed off to the Summer of Fun Movies, along with the rest of Az. For those of you not here, We have a theater out here which runs 10 of last years kids movies all summer for 7.00 bucks. pretty fun and its at least one more activity to try and fill our endless summer days in the Ovens of heck that we call Home. Last year, we had memberships to 2 museums and the zoo, but with Roberts Family Budget cuts we are left to fend for ourselves and find those super fun enriching activities that cost little to nothing. OH and its so easy, with the Sun beating down and heating up every park and sand lot for 2 more months. Honestly, we do have some fun stuff planned. we are going to visit the Library each week and do their summer reading program, Summer Movies, and the public pools, okay lets not talk about that one right now, ugh. Homemade snow cones always makes the day a little cooler as well. The kids are excited and hopefully they will have some fun and learn some stuff as well. Wish Me Luck!

Grandma Jo

Today will be the first anniversary of my Mother's passing. Its been such a odd year, and a hard last couple of weeks. Like everyone else, we are going through alot and so my emotions are a bit of a mess right now. I tried to write about her on Mothers day but it was just too hard.
I miss her more now then ever. It almost harder now.

She was a single Mom who did the very best she could. She loved me so much and gave all she had to me and for me. For her children, she had complete and unconditional love. She hurt when I hurt and she cried when I cried. She laughed at all my stupid jokes and sometimes at me as well. She thought I was special and perfect and amazing. I always knew that she saw beauty and love when she looked at me. The only thing better then me, was my children. I was her whole world until they came along. She would and did anything and everything for them. She never had an easy life, it was a rough road for her the whole way. Our childhood was far from perfect, But as a child, I never wanted for anything. My Mother, was not a beauty queen or rich. She wasn't articulate or quick on her feet. She was an honest simple woman, who was an artist in her own right, but didn't have the courage to pursue it. She was a loving kind loyal person, Who loved her children more then her own life. She considered us, Gifts from God and she unworthy to hold. She was so worthy. I am so grateful for her and the lessons she has taught me, and the person she helped me to become. I loved her dearly and I miss her painfully right now. I am grateful that my brother and I were able to care for her in the end, to hold her and to love her and to let her feel of our love for her. I am thankful that Elizabeth and Stevie and Jimmy were able to have her in their lives this short time. And we will help KatieJo Marie to know her as well.

Mom I love you.

Graduation Day!!

So as of today Jimmy and the Gang are offically 1st Graders!
Jimmy and his amazing Teacher Mr. Mac, Jimmy and the Boys...not quite sure why they insisted on breaking them up into different classes right from the start, weird huh? Here is the shot I grabbed while he was workin the room, and finally the Proof!

Will work for Wii

Jimmy may not be the best baby sitter, but the price is right!

Father and Son Camp Out!

Last year, when the boys went on the campout, I was so excited to get the camera back to see all the adventures that they captured for the blog. They took one picture. One! So this year, We sent them off and I kept the camera for 'our time'. The Girls Nite Out! Friday we went to the mall with Lina and Lani to window shop and buy cheap cheesy earrings, Then we went to Dinner and laughed,laughed and more! Saturday, was just me and Lizzie and we had our hair cut and styled and Le' Carolee's ;) (I told you about talented friends didn't I?) Then off to lunch and build-a-bear where we 'split' the cost of her new friend Honey. Life is good.
Of course coming home to 3 dirty smelly boys and all their mess was way more then I could ask for.

Its great to have talented friends

We all have talents and this past month 2 of my friends have been wonderful enough to share their talents with me. After drooling over my friend Stacey's baby things that she had made, and posted on her blog, she offered to make me some, and I placed an order quick before she changed her mind. Then my friend Erin who is a professional Photographer found some Pooh characters she wanted to try out for pictures and for some reason, ;) thought of me, I said when and where! so here is the bounty of my blessings in having so very talented friends. How sweet it is.

Happy Mother's Day

So today is mothers' day and I soaked it for it for all its worth baby. "whats for breakfast? Oh look the dishwasher is full. " " hey, is that the remote?" " my feet are so sore today". Okay, I might have pushed it too far on that one, but you can't blame a girl for tryin! I got some gifts too. Not the usual handmade or dollar store trinkets for me sister! The kids were so excited one day last week when they ninja-like entered the house giggling with delight as they ran for the stairs. Seems our sweet neighbors were having a yard sale and they had found the perfect gifts for me. "your not gonna believe it Mom, it only cost 2 dollars! ...I miss my homemade treasures.


Gift, with the change attached.

These were the wonderful handmade recipe card holders they made in Primary and the Pin from our Bishop, He has one to go with his talk, every year. I truly cherish these.

Now, if I can only figure out where to put my 2 dollar lamp.

Oh, and I'm now out of wrapping paper.

Swine Flu

I'm sure that's what we got cause my house is a sty and I stink! Everyone I knew this past month has had sick kids, been sick or cleaned up after the sick. But us? nothing, and then one day I did it. I said it out loud. and wham bam, the first victim in our household bit the dust. its been ugly. Gooey and disgusting. TMI? try livin it. but I think we are finally on the mends. Can't say as much for the house.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Lizzie likes to dress for the holidays.

Oh the horror... The Horror!

The Carnage was Everywhere!

I couldn't see where Jojo began and the Blackberrries ended. We filled her teething feeder with fresh blackberries and she went to town. There just wasnt enough wipes for this job, not even a quicker picker upper would do. It will have to be a full soaking. wish me luck. Do Balckberrie stain your skin?

I can't stands its no mo' !

Finally!! I can hear the angels singing! I just couldn't handle it anymore, and Daddy was so not happy with him 'doin his own thang' with the moppy mess, so Thank the Barber, both battles are over and life is good. Now if only I could get the personality to match that sweet angelic face. Course that face and those eyes have gotten him outta quite a few jams I'll have to say. Dang it all if he ain't my charmer.

Stevie likes it short...very short. Not my fav for him, I think he looks like a bully, and really, he is my lover. But when mommy makes a deal I gotta hold up my end. They got to pick how, I got to to get it done. Lets be honest, I got the better end of the deal. ;)

School Festival

Water rides and slides. water games and prizes. Getting wet any which way you can and dunking a teacher or two in the process, can life be any better then that? Oh and dont forget the cool Movie Basket Raffle Lizzie won. All she had to do was fill out all of our personal information on the little card for the born again church down the road. . . Does the win mean we have to change Churches now? Can you consider a basket full of Licorice, 5 buck Movies and a box of Munch and Crunch a commitment? I guess it depends on the movie huh?