Late Fourth of July updates!!

If you are family you probably have already seen all of these pictures, but they were too cute so I decided to post them on my blog. The kids went to my Mom and Dad's last Wednesday and they stayed till Sunday. They had a great time. I am sure my Mom and Dad are glad they have a little peace and quiet now. I was glad for the rest, but I missed them terribly. I am glad they are home. They brought with them a couple of house guests. Misty and Lo flew in on Saturday.

Here's the kids holding their welcome signs for Misty and Lo! They look incredibly anxious.

Hugs!!

I love that Landon and Grant are being so sweet with each other. It doesn't happen often and when you can catch it on camera, it's amazing. :)

They love their little Lorelai!!

What a sweetheart.

Peek a Boo!!

Run while you still can Lo!! hehe :)The kids loved this movie!

So cute! Aliya got her hair cut just before we left. It's short, but so cute. Thanks Angie!

Nana and Papa bought a slip n slide. It was the highlight of the trip!

There are more pictures to come from the day activities on the Fourth, but here are a few from the night! He is so brave!

Cute boy!

Don't burn your hand!

I love his smile!

Aliya showing off her tricks!

Silly! Grant is kind of like that sour and sweet character in those Sour Patch candy commercials. He could cut off one side of your ponytail and then he would look at you with those big brown eyes and sweet smile and you couldn't help but melt!

It's finally adventure weather again! Papa decided to take them on an adventure to see Lions and Tigers and Bears. Oh My!! He walked them over the hills and through the woods all the way to Cabela's. :)

Thanks so much to Nancy for taking so many pictures and for me and for helping my Mom so much with the kids. The pictures really brightened my Fourth of July! Neal worked at the station for the Fourth so I went over to my Grandparent's house and hung out with my Aunt Jenny and my Grandparent's. We had yummy food and my Aunt waited on me. :) Then I got to come home to an empty house. It's a little weird sleeping in a house with no kids and no husband. Neal left his fire pager though, so I could hear where he was all day and night. I am starting to feel really good and I am not in a lot of pain anymore. I had an MRI yesterday, so I am hoping I will get the "go ahead" and I can start pushing myself a bit. I will post more pictures soon!

Name Stories!!

Just curious about how you picked your kids names and the stories behind those names. I know, random right? I don't have anything better to do and I didn't post much in June.
This is how we came up with our kids names!

Aliya: Aliya was the name of a baby my sister and I took care of in Washington. We were pretty much her nannies. Such a cute thing. The parent's both worked, so my sister and I would take turns taking care of her. I even went on a weekend work trip with them one time. The little girl ended up going into the hospital after having a seizure. One day we got a visit from a detective saying they were investigating the parent's on suspicion of child abuse, and asked us lots of questions. It turned out the little girl had shaken baby syndrome. She ended up being taken away from her parent's. The couple divorced and the Mom was eventually able to get Aliya back. I just loved that name and it stuck with me. We paired it with Janae, which is my middle name.

Landon: One of my favorite movies is A Walk To Remember. I should probably be a little embarrassed to admit that. Anyways, the actor who played the "Landon" character is pretty cute and the name caught my attention. :) We paired it with Ryan, which is Neal's middle name.

Grant: Well, Grant was supposed to be name Zoey! :) We thought he was a girl and he came out a boy. Neal just really liked the name Grant. I liked the name Preston. He thought that sounded too nerdy. Sorry to anyone reading who is named Preston. I love love that name. Grant is a strong name and we paired it with Lee after Neal's Dad's middle name. So he is Grant Lee. Love it!

I guess this is kind of like a tag. So, anyone who reads this... Tag your it!

Twitter Chatter!

I added a new thing to my sidebar. It's called Twitter. It just tells little things I am doing or thoughts I have throughout the day. Not that my life is very exciting right now, but It gives me something to do.


Landon had his last game on Friday. I forgot to send the camera with Neal, but he did get a cute picture with Landon and my Mom. Landon was so excited that he got a medal. He thinks it's cause they won the tournament. Sorry I have been absent from the blogging world. There are two reasons for my absence. The first being, I feel a little sorry for myself and for my family because I have ruined our summer. :) The second being, my icepack leaked on my computer and I need someone to take it into the professionals to see if my computer will ever work again. I am just hoping they can retrieve my info. I have a few events I want to blog about, so hopefully I will get my butt in gear and get it done.

"If you wanted a little time to rest, you could of just asked."

I have had a lot of help since my recent fall. Wow I sound like a seventy year old woman. This week Neal had to get back to his normal working schedule. So Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the kids and I had an interesting time. Poor Aliya was left to make beds and pick up toys and random spills throughout the day. She was such a big help. Grant discovered that he could put my crutches across the room and then he is able to have an extra Popsicle and there is nothing his crippled mother can do about it. (He actually put the Popsicle back. Big Shocker, I know. There is a conscience in that kid after all.) We survived. The pain is starting to subside a bit, but all my muscles throughout my whole back hurt. I still can't put any weight on my right side. I can't go to girls camp. :( I finally get put in the young woman's and I decide to get clumsy.

My Mom came Wednesday night. Thank Goodness. It is incredibly hard for me to sit on my couch and watch my Mom run around cleaning and taking care of the kids. I am so thankful for the help, but it's hard to not be able to do it myself. I think my Mom is already worn out and it's only the first day. I don't think she has sat down once and Grant is giving her a run for her money. When someone told her it was four oclock she was in shock at how fast the time had gone. I called my sweet cousin Alex to come and get Aliya for a girls night. She deserves it. I am sure she was excited to get away from her rowdy brothers and her crazy Mom. Thanks everyone for all the comments and the help. I don't what I would do without such great family and friends. And thanks to my amazing husband for putting up with me!!

OUCH!!

Well, this last week I fractured my pelvis. I would love to tell you I injured myself in a very exciting and dangerous way. Like falling off a cliff while I was repelling or falling from a ladder while saving a kitten. These would be an amazing alternative to the real story. I had just gotten my hair done at my Sis in law, Angie's, house and it was raining out. I had my very expensive two dollar flip flops on and I slipped and landed on the sidewalk putting most of the impact on the right side of my back. OUCH!!!! I know I know, how is that possible? Heck if I know, but I have fallen many, many times before and I have always been able to get myself up. I could not move. There I lay on the cement in the pouring rain. Aliya yelled for Angie. Angie came right out and picked me up. Yes, picked me up and carried me like a baby all the way to her front door. She called Neal and we spent the night in the emergency room. Fun times. I don't think I have ever been in so much pain in my entire life. So now I get to spend my time on the couch. The fracture is small and there is not a whole lot they can do for it. I can't put any weight on my right side so I have to get around on crutches. Angie came and cleaned my entire house. I sure appreciate it even though I complained about her cleaning the entire time she was cleaning. Sorry Angie. My Sweet Mother in law brought dinner and my Father in Law helped Neal give me a blessing. My sis in law Nikki brought us dinner tonight. I don't know what we would do without all this help. Neal has been Daddy, Mommy and money maker. He is going to need a nice long golf vacation when this is all over with.
This is what my kids have been up to. Aliya has been such a big help.


Neal and I decided to still go on our weekend trip. After a lot of pain medicine we made it to Vegas for the Phantom of the Opera. I really did not want to loose all that money for room and tickets, so we packed the front seat full of pillows and it was worth all the pain (hopefully I didn't do more damage to my back.). The show was amazing. Instead of eating at a nice restaurant Neal just went and picked up some pasta from one of the restaurants in the hotel. I just didn't think I would be able to sit through dinner and the show.
Walking very slow through the hotel. Neal was trying to get the timer to work on the camera. I sure look pissed off, but I was just bitting the back of my teeth to stop the pain.

And it worked. Thanks babe for the amazing birthday present. My awesome brother watched the kids for us. Thanks James!!

Here we are at the show! The opera house was amazing. So pretty. I have never seen Phantom before and it was so good.

The Venetian is such a beautiful hotel. I am not the biggest fan of Las Vegas, but there are certain Hotels I just love. The guy that took this picture was completely drunk and I was dressed in more clothing than any other girl in that entire hotel. Do you really need everything hanging out. You might as well just be naked.

My handsome husband!This picture is for you Misty! :)

Nancy and Jason came over tonight after we got home. Here's Nancy and I with our best friends. This picture is not the best. I was tired and in so much pain. It may not of been the best idea to go, but I sure had a great time.

I think my mom will come this week. Neal has got to go to work and I just barely started being able to go to the bathroom by myself.

I can't wait!!

http://www.phantomvegasoffers.com/landing_redesign/

This is what I have to look forward to next Saturday thanks to my thoughtful husband! It was supposed to be a surprise for my birthday, but Neal sucks at keeping surprises from me. I am so excited. Now all I have to do is find a dress. Finding a dress is much more stressful for me than finding a swimming suit. I don't know why it is just not very much fun. Wish me luck!

You wanted Wii pictures, you got it James!

Yes, we got bit by the Wii bug. We have had so much fun playing this weekend. I think this will be a purchase in our future. Aliya was very enthusiastic about it, if you couldn't tell. :)

She told me her muscles got bigger just in the couple of days she was playing. I had to feel for myself. I don't think my muscles got bigger just really sore. Run a 5k on no training, no big deal. Play the Wii for an hour and I am dying.

This was Landon's first strike. He was very happy.

Neal will be so proud.

Wow, look at that form.

Papa knocked over Nana's plate on her mantel, I hit my dad in the arm and Aliya in the head with the strap on the handle and Landon threw the controller across the room. This game is dangerous. Note to self: Put the wrist strap on all of the time.

This is the only way Landon will wear his collared shirts these days.

We are heading home tomorrow. We have lots of lazy days at the pool ahead of us. Poor Nancy broke her foot so I am anxious to get back and help her out. I hope you are doing better Nancy!!

No more school, YIPEE!!

Aliya had her last day of school on Friday. Suffering from a seriously crazy schedule this last month, we pulled out our jeans and long sleeve shirts and headed to my Mom and Dad's. We are going to stay till Wednesday. We have been having a really nice relaxing time. Not having to worry about being somewhere is heaven.

On Saturday we went to the Living Planet Aquarium. We had a blast. Most of these pictures are of Grant because my other two children would not slow down enough to let me take pictures of them. There are a lot because Neal is at home and he loves the pictures, so you guys get to suffer through them also.
They loved the jellyfish.

This was the best part of the whole Aquarium. There was a Stingray pool where you could actually touch them. The kids were a bit apprehensive at first, but then by the end they were soaked and slimy. That is Aliya's hand.

He attempted to smile at the camera.

I love that we get to do all these fun things with them.

What a sweetheart. Who knew he could be such a little monster with a face like that.

Being able to touch a Starfish equals incredibly happy kids.

This is Grant's type of place. He loved every minute of it.

There's that sweet face again.

Grant kept kissing the glass. I almost got a picture of it, but my camera is special and has a little delayed reaction.

There was a boat where it looks as though you are driving away from the dock and the boat actually shakes.

Landon had his hood on for most of the time we were there. Thanks to my Dad, he was convinced the Aquarium had giant Sharks he was going to be forced to swim with. Following some other terrifying stories about the Aquarium, he opted to keep his hood on till he realized Papa was joking with him. Thanks Dad.

I am sure I will be posting more pictures soon.

Kindergarten, here we come!!!

Landon is all done with preschool. He had a little program and water party today. For the program they sang a few songs and did their letter sounds and numbers. Then they went out back and played on the water slide and had a great time. Landon is very sad school is over, but really excited to have a great summer. We will be heading to my Mom and Dad's at the end of the week and we can't wait.

Landon and Caydence are definitely the more outspoken kids in the class. Before the program started they informed everyone that they get in trouble a lot and their parent's are always mad at them. Silly kids.

Seriously you will not find two expressions that are the same with Landon. He cracks me up.

This is Landon's best buddy, Brayden. They are the two oldest in class and they definitely ruled the school.

This little girl, along with Caydence, were the source of many arguments between Brayden and Landon. Her name is Charity and according to Landon, the most beautiful girl in the world. Landon and Brayden fought over who was going to marry her. I think by the end they decided that Brayden would marry Caydence because Landon can't since they are cousins. This is the cutest thing I have ever seen. Don't mind the tattoos. I am boycotting Caprisuns until they get rid of the naked brother's band tattoos.

Well, Landon will be heading to Kindergarten next school year. He is really excited to go to Aliya's school. He is a little on the young side, but I think he will do okay. Hopefully he will get a teacher who will look past his hyperactivity and have some patience with him. He loves to learn and gets really excited when he learns new things. He's such a sweet kid and I can't believe he is growing up so fast.

Wow, I am going to be sore tomorrow.

This morning I did something that I haven't done in years. I ran in the Fire Department 5K race to benefit the burn center. I was dragging my feet this morning because even though I love to run, I have not ran that far in a long time. I know I know, it's not really that far, but when you haven't ran in years, it is. Angie was my partner during the run. We ran the whole way to the half way mark and then walked a little bit and then we picked up the pace. I was very proud of us. I think we thought we would just walk most of the way. I guess years of chasing after overactive little boys paid off. I came in 15th overall and 6th place in women ages 25-29. I am good with that. Hopefully this will motivate me to start to run again and maybe participate in other races. Or at least get me in better shape. :)

Neal ran with the kids in the one mile. The batteries died in my camera so we only have a few pictures. The kids had a lot of fun and really got into the run. I really need to get my kids some sun glasses. Aren't the shirts great.

There I am at the beginning of the race. Still smiling and able to breath. I am the one waving.

Crazy!

When Neal told me about this story I was in shock. This is unimaginable.

Piano Recital!

Well we are done with all of Aliya's activities. She had her Piano Recital tonight. She is still going to do piano though June, but other than that, we are done. Aliya played a song called Love Somebody. The minute she played it she knew she wanted it to be her recital piece. She loved it.

Aliya and Brooklynn before the recital. Such cute girls!

Aliya actually wanted to get all dressed up. She even let me do her hair. We got to Jason and Nancy's and she realized she didn't have a necklace so Aunt Nancy let her borrow one. Thanks Aunt Nancy!!

Next year we are cutting back on the activities, at least that is what I have told Aliya. Piano is one I will not get rid of. It will always be a talent/skill that will come in handy. I have always loved the sound of the piano. Aliya has worked very hard this year. She didn't practice as much as she should have, but hopefully we can continue working at it during the summer.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Well, today is Mother's Day. I was sort of feeling a little sorry for myself because Neal had to work at the station so I knew I wasn't going to get the typical sleep in and breakfast in bed treatment. Neal must of had a little chat with Aliya about how the morning should go. About an hour and a half after the boys had woke up, Aliya woke up. She is a late riser, but the moment she got up she came in the living room and told me to go back to bed. She insisted. So I humored her and I got back in my covers and turned on the T.V. (it wasn't a hard decision). I am always a little nervous to leave my kids alone on special occasions because although they have good intension's, they tend to want to do a project that usually turns into a huge mess. No projects this morning. Just a sweet card and Aliya made the boys breakfast and they watched a movie for the morning. Every time I got up Aliya sent me back into my room. She even came in and painted my toenails and then did my hair. So cute. They really are such great kids. They have so much energy and so much excitement for everything. I am so proud to be their Mom. My house is never as clean as I would like it, sometimes I want to pull my hair out and I don't always feel like the best Mom, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I also have to tell my Mom how much I love her and appreciate her. I really missed not being with her today. She is great and I am so thankful I have her to call everyday and chat about nonsense. I hope she had a great day. Also I just have to say that I have such a great Mother in Law. She is always there if Neal and I need to get out for a night. She is sick right now, so I hope she gets better soon. Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Last time you'll see the pink and black outfit!!! :)

Well, here it is. The whole performance. I figured it out. Converting files, no big deal. This one is really long, so unless you are my Mom and Dad (or another family member with time on your hands.), you may not want to push play. What a cute girl my daughter is though.

Video from Aliya's spring concert!

This video pretty much took me all day to try to figure out how to post. Or at least to figure out that the video wouldn't post because it was the wrong file (Thanks Dad). It started out with the upload from the video camera to the computer and then to finding a program that will convert an MOD file to one that is small enough for blogger. Don't mind the words that are flashing in the middle. Apparently that is part of the free download. I am very proud of myself.
This is a clip from Aliya's spring concert. The whole group performed, but only a handful sang a solo and Aliya was one of them. She gets incredibly nervous, but for just a couple of seconds during her solo she let loose. I am so proud of her for getting up there and facing a fear. She loves it and I hope it will always help her to be confident. If I can, I will try to put her other solo up also. Another day though.
(Make sure you pause the music player.)

Twilight mini trailer!

I can't even believe how excited I am about this. I am reading Twilight again and trying to picture these Actors as the characters, so I will be able to accept the movie better. I know I am a dork. This video gave me chills.
(Pause the music player)

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!!!