Jack and Lisa- II

Prom Night 2010

Hunter actually asked a girl out to prom. He said he had a nice time, but dating is too expensive. That's why he's says he's never going to have a girlfriend! Wes is rubbing off on him.

Here's Hunter and Megan- I hope that's spelled right...

Hunter cleans up pretty nicely. (OK he's looking awfully grown up- I can't believe that he graduates next year!

Here they are with the whole group. What cute dresses! Some of the girls wore Keds! Too funny-

Here's what Hunter picked for shoes. Pretty slick!

Dax is Three!!!

Dax had his third birthday party last weekend. I can't believe how fast this little guy is growing up. We love Dax for obvious reasons, but here are a few things that make him extra special:

He gives great kisses.

He's an awesome dancer- We call him Action Daxen

He's always laughing at the funny things he does.

His hugs make us smile.
He's nice to everyone and loves to share.

He's an artist- Ask Rikki about midnight art!

Dax and his cheese smile.
Renny and his cheese.

The annual magic show by grandpa- a few of the tricks I figured out. Getting a little slow with the sleight of the hand grandpa!!!

Rikki bought these really obnoxiuos party horn favors. They went right to the garbage as soon as we got home.

Dax had lots of fun presents to open. We got him a tee ball and a mitt. Dawni and Shawn got a bat for him. They were a hit until he opened the Buzz Lightyear remote control spaceship from Tara. (That's what he's holding in the picture with Dawni) He loved that- it fit nicely under the sofa and he thought that was really cool! Both Dax and Renny ran around yelling "To Finity" after that.

Cake Faces!

He picked a SpongeBob cake. I know- I didn't make it. I've not been feeling up to anything lately- BURNED OUT- BUMMED OUT- STRESSED OUT-SPRING FEVER- I'm not sure which.
This little guy was one of the party goers. He had such cute sad eyes. I just had to get a picture! I believe his name is Dillon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAXEN- WE LOVE YOU!

Only When Wes Goes...

While Wes is gone, Hunter and I get to do a few things that usually don't happen when he's here.

We can eat chips and cheese for dinner and it's OK- We like to melt Velveeta, salsa and chili together- Yummy!

I can read an entire book in a few hours without interruption...

It's the novel that the movie Precious was based on. I liked this book just because it makes me appreciate what I have. It's a very graphic (and disturbing) book and it's very sad-but it does have a good message about self worth.

And we made our favorite cookies that Wes turns his nose up at. We ate them all before I took pictures, but here's the recipe. They're better the second day...

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 c butter

1 c brown sugar

2 eggs

1 T vanilla

1 t almond extract

1/2 c sour cream

1/3 c water

2- 3/4 c flour

3/4 t salt

3/4 t soda

1 (8oz) bottle of maraschino cherries-chopped

1 (12oz) bag of chocolate chips

1/2 c slivered almonds (optional)

Cream butter and brown sugar. Beat in eggs, vanilla, almond extract, sour cream and water. Add dry ingredients. Stir in cherries, chips and nuts. Drop by heaping teaspoon- Bake at 350 on lightly greased sheet pan for 10-12 minutes. Makes 5-6 dozen smaller soft cookies.

To top of the Wes is gone event- Ryan got sick. My kids always wait until Wes is gone and I'm at work to need to visit the doctor. After a throat swab- which he was very good for- and a stamp set to appease the sick child- we got to go pick up this:

Ryan has strep for the first time. I guess I'm pretty lucky. He's my first kid to get strep-EVER! Let's just hope we can keep Katelyn and Hunter healthy. Hunter has a big date this weekend-Jr Prom!

Lisa and Jack

I was priviledged to take engagement pictures for Lisa and Jack this week. Here's a few of my favorites:

Super Star Katelyn

Why is it that kids always wait until the last minute to remind you about little things?

I've heard them all- like...I need my book order money TODAY

My library books are due...TODAY

I need twenty dollars for ____ TODAY.

Or my favorite of all...I need a super star poster IN THE MORNING...

Katelyn reminded me that she needs a superstar poster Monday morning- at 7:00 pm on Sunday as I'm dropping her off to Debbie's to spend the night. (Wes was out of town and I have to get up at 3:30 am to go to work). Like my friend Marty says- they're cute in self defense...

So here's my quick hour and a half job on Katelyn's 2010 Superstar poster. Thank goodness I have Hunter to drop it off to her in the morning...

I wonder how many years we get to do superstar posters in school...???...

What Little Boys Learn on the Farm

I was cleaning Ryan's room the other day. A huge pile of stuffed animals was in the corner of his room AGAIN. When we moved here, I put most of there toy treasures in the storage room- which will be the play room as soon as I get around to organizing it. Ryan and Katelyn insist on pulling EVERY stuffed toy out into their rooms that they own. I'm getting ready to pack them all up and send them to the DI!

Anyway, I was sorting the pile of stuffies to take the no so favorite ones back to the storage room and what do I find at the bottom of the pile shoved in the corner against the wall???? A pile of stuffie fur!

At first I'm a little peeved to be cleaning up this mess- Ryan knows better. He knows that scissors are off limits and that we do not destroy toys. He also knows that I don't like to clean up messes. I start looking for the poor stuffies that are likely going to the trash after this stunt. Here's what I found (and could match up with the pile of fur in the corner using my household CSI skills).

You see, what he has done he learned with his Dad and Grandpa on the farm. He trimmed the bridle paths on his horse stuffies- all eight of them. It was hard not to smile...