Kitchen decor

Recently I decided to redecorate--or should I say 'decorate'--my dining room. I've started repainting my table and chairs (and stools and shelves). It should be really cute. I'll post pictures when I'm done. I also decided to finally hang something on the wall. I got a framed picture that says 'bon appetit' vertically. Then I had a mini photo shoot with my kids. These are the pictures that I'll be putting around the picture...along with one of all the kids together.
Steven was really into the tomatoes. By the time he was done, that tomato had several good chunks taken out of it.

Abigail loves lemons. However, she hates this picture of herself. I thought it was really cute though and since I was picking...I won!

Jacob was being really crazy during his pictures. He kept trying to juggle the peppers and he beat them against his chest like Tarzan. Somehow we managed to get this really cute picture though. I love it!

Emma is getting so grown up. She acts more mature all the time. It was definately easy to shoot her because she was so cooperative...which can't be said of all of them.

Aaron is a ball of energy and ideas. He even opened the pumpkin and put his hand in it. There's never a dull moment with him. Once all of these pictures get hung on the wall, I'll to post a picture of the final product.

Aaron's seed project

Last month Aaron's class was doing a seed project. That meant that for two weeks I had to save the seed out of every fruit or vegetable that we ate. Aaron was really good at reminding me to keep them. :)

He did a really good job. All I did was print the pictures out and man the hot glue gun. He ended up with seeds from 15 fruits and vegetables. Next thing to tackle...a science fair project for Emma.

Halloween 2011

We had a lot of fun this Halloween! The kids have been going through a phase where they love to dress up...so Halloween meant they got to put on their favorite costumes. And yes, I said costumeS because some of them wore a different one to each Halloween event we went to. I have to admit that I had a lot of fun dressing them up too. Now if only I could figure out a way to keep my hands out of the candy bowls, I would like Halloween a little bit more.
Emma and two of her friends dressed up as Cindy Lou Who from 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas.' They were soooo cute!

This is Emma, Aaron (batman), and Abigail (Minnie Mouse) before they left for school on Halloween. I was grateful their school let them dress up because some of the other elementary schools in town didn't allow the students to wear costumes.

Abigail striking one of her many poses.

Steven got to be the bumble bee that was in the closet. I think everyone of the kids has been this for their first Halloween. I've definately gotten my money's worth out of it. :)

Jacob has really gotten into Toy Story lately so he wanted to be Buzz Lightyear. Luckily, a friend of mine had this costume so we got to borrow it. Jacob was so excited! It was a fun Halloween for everyone!

Camping in Santa Fe

This past weekend, Josh took the kids camping and hiking up in Santa Fe...all four of them. Of course I still had the baby, but he almost doesn't count...he's just part of me. They left early Friday morning and didn't get back until dinner time on Saturday. It was so quiet and I loved every minute of it. Of course I missed them...but it was sure nice to clean the house and then not need to clean it for a WHOLE day. Simple pleasures, I say. They all had a blast and are planning another trip in the near future. Abigail picked me some flowers. However, Josh wouldn't let her brintg them home to me so she settled for taking a picture with them instead. :)

Getting ready to go hiking. They all got new hiking packs which they were so proud of.

And they're off.

At the tent. Apparently it's a little chilly in Santa Fe in August. I wish we had that problem here.

Jacob had flowers for me too. What sweet kids I have!

All I wanna do is...Dance, Dance!

I'm finally putting up some recital pictures from last May. I work like the tortoise...slow and steady.
Emma was the 'Mother Duck' for one of the younger classes. It was quite cute!

Emma's tap number.

Abigail, doing what she does best...posing!

Emma's ballet class

This is Emma the night she got back from competition. I just LOVE her eyelashes!

Farewell to friends

Because it was requested (not because they are flattering), I am posting some pictures of my wonderful friend and her family. They stayed with us a few night before they left the rolling plains of Clovis, NM for the fast-paced life of the city. We cleaned her house, went out for a birthday dinner, and let the kids spent some quality time together. The girls camped out in our "Huntsman hotel." It was a blast!
Unfortunately this is the only picture I have of the two of us. It was early in the morning, neither of us have make-up on (obviously), and we were a bit emotional.

Abby had so much fun living down the street from her friend. They would walk back and forth to play with each other all the time! Abby still talks about her and is trying to plan a visit out to Washington DC now.

Jacob and his pal. This picture makes me laugh because I always think of her with her fingers in her mouth. :)

Best buds!

Abby waving good-bye as Tina is drivin away with three girls in the car, pulling a trailer....by herself. Only Tina! Gotta love her!

Six Mile Cypress

While at my Dad's, the whole group went on a nature walk at Six Mile Cypress. What we thought would be a quick walk through some greenery turned into an hour and a half lecture in the jungle. The kids had a blast...my dad and I weren't quite as excited about it. Emma really like talking with our guide. She asked lots of questions which is one reason it took so long. Now that it's checked off my list, we don't have to go back next year. :) My dad with the kids. They were sitting on the dock by the alligator pond. Unfortunately we didn't see any alligators.

The binoculars were a hit!

This is what we did for an hour an a half. And before you go thinking my dad is a softy...he only held the baby so I could snap a few pictures. Once I was done, the baby was promptly handed over to me.