Landon's first T-ball game!

Cute boys!!

What a fun game for the kids.

Here is a little video of Landon's first T-ball game. Cutest thing ever. And yes, he does run after the ball instead of to second base. Hehe :) Sorry no sound. My digital camera is old school. Enjoy!!!

"Go Cardinals!"

Landon and Aiden had their picture day for T-ball on Saturday. The game is Tuesday so I know we will have lots of fun pictures from that.
These two boys were so cute in their uniforms. They were both so excited.

He looks so big.

Grant wants to do everything his big brother does.

I think this was the most exciting day of Landon's life. He was so proud to be wearing his uniform. He said it doesn't mean he doesn't like the Cubs anymore, but he is just part of the Cardinals team right now.

Goof ball!

I just loved all the kids looking every which way. If you can't tell, Landon is the one with the glove under his hat. Funny kid. :)

He was trying to look all tough. You can click on the pictures so you can see them better.

What a sweet smile. Baseball is always a constant conversation in our house, but now it is all he talks about. Tuesday can't come soon enough.

Pedicure anyone???

(This is a post my sis in law wrote and I told people to go to her blog to read it, but apparently that is stupid, so I was told. Anyways, it was too cute what she wrote so I just left it how it was. Thanks Nancy!)


Neal and Amy come over to drop off Landon and Grant at our house so that they could go on a date and before they left for their date, Neal had to paint Amy's toe nails. I just had to get a couple of pictures of this, Amy is so lucky to have such a great husband, who will paint her nails! Apparently Neal is the one in charge of the nail painting in his house, he does both Aliya's and Amy's nails. I love Neal he is such a great guy and I can't wait until he does my toe nails!

Two activities down, two to go.

Here's some pictures from Aliya's Spring Concert. The theater was decorated so cute and all the girls were adorable.

They had some pictures taken one week in class. They turned out really well.

It was really dark in the theater so the lighting is off.

This was her solo song. She did so good and her voice sounded amazing.

It was a long night for Aliya. She has worked very hard.

My sweet Mother in law taped the performance, so when I get that I will attempt to post it.

Don't all husbands paint toenails? :)

Check out my sis in law's blog. Just click on Hesch Family. She wrote a fun post about Neal painting my toes and there are pictures.

One activity down, three to go!!

Well, Soccer season is over. Aliya had a lot of fun and actually did very well. She had a coach that was very intense and very loud. I thought the first time he yelled at Aliya to get into her position she would curl up in a ball and start crying, but she didn't. It actually made her hustle and she learned all of the positions very well. She even scored two goals this season. I am very proud of her.

Here's the "action shot" Neal took. She did awesome as goalie. When it was a new quarter she would hide behind someone so she wouldn't have to sit out and then beg to be forward or goalie.
Here's the team. These girls did amazing.

Aliya and Riley!

Neal says I am not allowed to pick out Soccer shorts again. They were too short.

Isn't she adorable? :)

I even baked a cake.

Yesterday Neal turned the BIG 31!! WoW! I have always thought you are old when you are in your thirties. I still think that. :) The night before, Neal had to sleep at the fire station, so I got plenty of time to do something I never do, Bake. I don't enjoy cooking, but I am good at it as long as I have a recipe. It's a different story with baking. I have no common sense when it comes to baking. It is frustrating and you need a lot a patience. Not fun at all. This is why I buy cakes and cookies. I thought it would be the best present for Neal if I baked him his own cake. The idea in my head was much grander than what actually was produced. Isn't that how it always is? :)

I had to have proof for Neal cause I didn't think he would believe that I slaved away in the kitchen and baked.

Here's the outcome. In case you couldn't tell what it is, I put the golf ball next to it.

HaPpY bIrThdAy tO yOu! hApPy BiRtHdAY tO yOu! HaPpY bIrThDaY dEar NeAl, HaPpY bIrThDaY tO YoU!!

We went over to Neal's Mom and Dad's and ate good food and the kids played some fun games with their cousins.
Here's the cute girls!

Red Rover Red Rover send Ross right over!!

Red Rover Red Rover send Josh right over!

The Birthday Boy showing Landon how to play golf.

And Spencer and Grant also!

Look at that sweet mustache on Neal. Yuck! I made him shave it. I'm so mean.
We had a good day. Josh, Ashley, Jason and Nancy and James all came over to our house afterwards for a fun game of sing star and some yummy cupcakes. Thanks everyone for making it a great day for Neal. He doesn't like the attention, but he appreciates it. Happy Birthday BABE. I love you BABE. Your the greatest BABE.
(Sorry. Little joke from the office.)

Windy Windy day!

Today was the annual Kite Festival. If the elementary kids read a certain amount of minutes every week for a couple of months they get a free kite at the festival. Here are a few pictures from our day.

I have never wondered where my kids get all of their crazy expressions. I can thank their Daddy for their very animated faces in every picture we take. The boys think it's so fun to ride the school bus from the parking lot. I don't know what is wrong with my eye, but Grant's face sure is cute.

Aliya performed at the festival. It's always fun to watch her. She has her big Spring performance coming up, so I didn't take pictures this time.

It was so windy, so we only got a few minutes of flying time. It's pretty cool to see all those kites flying around. I couldn't help thinking about The Kite Runner and how fun it would be to battle and cut the other kites down.

Sand in every nook and cranny...

It was such a nice day, so we decided to go to the fun new park and play in the water. The water was not on yet so Spencer and Grant found this fun mud puddle. Angie and I were just happy that they were staying close and keeping busy.

And then they decided to lie down in the gross mud puddle.

This should of been a hint of events to come. :)

Angie and I realized we hadn't seen the two little ones in a few minutes, so we started searching for them. This is how we found them. In the volleyball pit running around naked in the sand. There was a row of kids just standing there with their mouths wide open and of course lots of people staring and laughing. I just had to grab my camera. I am sure they both just had to pee and decided to just take their suits off and pee right there in the sand. That's a nice thought, huh? What funny boys! I blame Angie, her kids love to be naked. hehe :)

I love David Cook!

So, I added David Cook's performance from this week's American Idol on to my playlist. He sang a cheesy cheesy Mariah Carey song and made it sound awesome. He has been my favorite from the beginning. Check out the song. If you scroll all the way down on my playlist, it is the last song. I know, I am obsessed.

We love Uncle James!

The other day I was putting Landon to bed and when I was done I went looking for Aliya and I found her doing eight minute abs with Uncle James. So cute. James has been a lot of fun since he moved in. The kids adore him and he adores them. He does my dishes when he is home and he watches American Idol with me. I think I'll keep him. :)

Hmmmm.... Maybe I should join in and work out my Abs of Flab instead of taking the picture. hehe.. :)

"Look Mom, we grew a strawberry tree."

This is what Aliya and Landon did while I was on the phone calling parents for T-ball. Yes, Yes I am team Mom! Soccer Mom, Baseball Mom, whatever. Don't worry, no minivan here (no offense to anyone who has a minivan, they are just not for me.). Anyways, back to the reason why there is a strawberry on a stick in my front yard. So, I go outside and see this.

I asked Landon why they did that and he said "It makes the dirt look pretty." I think it's about time we get the yard done.

Just passing time till The Office starts!

I never did a post to let you all know Neal passed his ADO test. I think it stands for Apparatus Driver Operator. In normal speak that means he can now drive the fire engine. Pretty exciting stuff. The station takes up a lot of his time, but we are very proud of him.
We don't see him much around here. Neal and his brother Dan own their own construction company. As with any new business, they are working very hard to keep it going. Despite the many negative comments about Neal and Dan being partners and brothers, I think they work very well together. They both are incredibly hard workers (I think workaholics describe them better) and very enthusiastic about what they are doing.
Congratulate Neal next time you see him.

We love finger painting! (I am trying to convince myself.)

I really should start rethinking my philosophy on child creativity. I really have never been the kind of Mom who won't let my kids do an art project just because it would make a mess, that is until Grant came along. He makes a little mess into an even bigger mess. They sure are cute little hands though!

And such a cute little face!

"1, 2, 3 YEE HAW!!"

Yesterday was my Mom's birthday! My grandparents came down with Pneumonia and my Grandpa went into the hospital, so my Mom came down to take care of them. We stole her away from my Grandparents for the evening and took her to dinner. When we were deciding where to go, my sis in law said that Texas Roadhouse makes you sit on a saddle when it's your birthday. I don't think there was any other choice. hehe :) I still smile when I think about it. There is nothing like seeing your Mom sit on a saddle while the entire restaurant yells "1, 2, 3 YEE HAW" I love my Mom!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

So fun!

Neal was sweet enough to stay home with the kids even though he has to be at the fire station today. Thanks Babe! It was pretty late and Aliya really wanted to have her friend, Rebecca, spend the night . After dinner, we went to Jason and Nancy's and had birthday cake, then the girls went to my Grandparents house and watched Becoming Jane. Good movie!


Here's the gang.
Singing Happy Birthday! How many candles are on that cake?? :)

I love my family!!

My Mom really is the best. If you know her you know what I am talking about. Always taking care of everyone. She really is my best friend. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't talk to her everyday.
Happy Birthday Mom! We love you!