Love Thy Neighbor.

When we first moved here two years ago I was a little upset we where going to live in a Condo. (Daniel had picked it out when the kids and I where spending the summer in Oregon.) In my opinion it was just a glorified apartment. I wanted some place with a fenced back yard so I  could send my kids outside and let them play -I still do. 

This has been my most favorite place to live. Sometimes I think it is a dream. We have an awesome ward. We have great neighbors who have become our friends. Our kids get along and play with each other. These wonderful neighbors have helped us out when we where in need, taking Derrick to school, bringing meals, being a shoulder to cry on and babysitting my kids. I do not now what I would have done without them, I know Heavenly Father had a hand in us moving here. I love them all. I hope that looking back on  these days in Eagle Mountain, my kids will remember them with fondness. I hope that when I grow old I will look back and smile.  We have created such wonderful memories here and I am going to hate the day when we have to move on. Actually I am dreading it - it makes me cry just thinking about it. Until then, I am going to squeeze in as much memory making as I can!

Rock Candy

Another one of our projects this week was making Rock Candy. We started on Tuesday. I used about 8 cups of water and 17 cups of sugar. Way to much for what we where doing - I ended up saving the left over sugar water and adding it to koolaid. By Wednesday night nothing had happened so I ended up cooking it again and adding even more sugar. Which was a pain since I had to do each cup individually since we had added color and flavoring. 

Looking at it today it looks like it might work! Hopefully next week there will be a post of us enjoying the fruits of our labor!
*update - Our Rock candy ended up not really turning out (no picture). We ended up letting the kids eat the little sugar that stuck to the sticks. It was a bummer it did not 'grow' the way it was suppose to. Life goes on!!

Slime

Happy Monday!

I am trying to have an activity planned for my kids to do everyday this week.  Let just say that I am ready for school to start and the fighting to stop! Hopefully these projects will help us get along a little better! 

First on our list was glow in the dark slime. 

Super easy to make. Also my kids had a blast and played with this all day long. 

 Here is how you make it if you're wondering!

•1 - 4oz container of clear Elmer's Glue 

 or the blue. I actully found some with glitter in it. 

•1 cup warm water

•Neon food coloring 

•2-3 teaspoon glow in the dark paint

•2 teaspoon borax

•1/3 cup warm water 

First mix together glue and 1 cup warm water. Next add food coloring and paint to mixture.

In a separate bowl add borax and 1/3 water.

Add 2 teaspoons at a time of borax mixture to glue mixture. Stir. Keep adding borax until it gets to a consistintsy that you like. - I added about 8 teaspoons.  I had to use my hands to mix the slim to get it to stick together by the end. Store in an plastic bag or airtight container. 

Little Things

 This girl has her Dad wrapped around her finger. She could get away with murder. I know I say this a lot but,  I LOVE her blue eyes.

I have been potty training Owen. The last 2 days he has pooped in the potty! Yeah! It is nice not having to buy diapers. 

Derrick got his very first tool box, it came with a screwdriver. Now he wants to take everything apart. This morning I let him take off the furnace grate so I could wash it. He lost one of the screws in the process. Oh well. 

The weekend is finally here. We have NO PLANS. I think we will clean the house. Daniel has to work on Saturday. I can't wait until Sunday - his one day off!

Windy

It has been so windy the past couple of days. Today we stayed inside most of the day - when we did go outside there was so much dust in the air the horizon looked brown and dirty.  

I hope the wind settles down soon. I miss the clear blue skies. 

I love these silly picture we took on one

 of our rock climbing adventures! I sure do love these munchkins of mine.

 

Not a Creature Was Stirring.

Daniel texted me at 6:20 this morning. I laid in bed for about 5 minutes trying to go back to sleep. I finally decided it was useless and got up to start my day.

Derrick is usually up this early, followed close by Riley then Owen. My kids get up early because they usually go to bed by 7:00pm. Last night they went to bed late - I am talking 10:00pm folks! My point is, this morning was one of those rare occasions when my kids where still in bed, fast asleep dreaming of wonderful adventures. The house was so quiet. I went and looked at each on of my kids sleeping and my heart swelled with love. They are great kids, they get along, they help each other, they make each other laugh and they are friends.   

We have a playground right outside our condo, there is always a group of kids playing outside. Most days we join them, but on the days we don't my kids don't seem to mind - they are content being inside. They are content being with each other. I often hear them laughing together in their rooms. I hope that they will always get long and be friends.

It is now almost 7:30 and 2 of the 3 are up. My house is alive once more, I love it. I love hearing their voices each morning. I  hardly ever wake up in a bad mood. I will admit having that hour of silence was wonderful too!

Bribes

I bribe my kids a lot, and it works maybe 30% of the time. Today I reached into my parenting hat and pulled out a bribe - if they cleaned their rooms I would take them to get ice cream from the little shop down the street. They have been SLOW at it. It is almost 7:00pm and they are just know getting done! They even turned down a friend who knocked on the door and wanted them to play. 

(This was the time I bribed them at the doctors office. I told them if they behaved and got shots we could get cupcakes! These cupcakes are from the Sweet Tooth Fairy - BEST.CUPCAKES.EVER!)

The entire house is almost clean - which makes life in the home a lot more pleasant. All I have to do is clean my bathroom, do the dishes and tidy up the kids bathroom. Life is good!

8 years

 I forgot until about 3:00pm today that it was our anniversary.  

I can not believe it has been 8 years! Time goes by so fast! It seems like it was only yesterday when we looked  in each others eyes and said, "I do". 

I am not going to lie, marriage is hard and a lot work. It is a never ending roller coaster. However; marrying Daniel was the best decision I have ever made. He gets me, he loves me,  and he makes me laugh. He is my best friend. We have had trials, but we have come out on top and they made us a stronger couple. I would not want anyone else by my side. I am glad I picked him to be my eternal companion.   

Happy Anniversary babe, I love you. 

Dad

Happy Father's Day

I have a wonderful Dad. He taught me to work hard - and if you call in sick to work you better be sick and in bed all day. He loves my Mom. He loves his kids and wants the best for them. He worked hard to support our family but also took time off to have fun with us. I am pretty sure that I have one of the best Dad's in the entire world! I love his laugh and his sense of humor. I love that Owen looks a lot like him. Thanks Dad for all you did and still do. I love you. 

My kids got lucky with their dad too! They love when he tells them made-up bed time stories - voice and all. I love seeing their faces light up when he walks through the door after a long day at work (and at home). I love the adventures we go on. He encourages the kids to try their best, and cheers them on. He works hard to support our family and makes it possible for me to stay home with our kids. He makes us laugh. He is a great Dad. We love you Daniel! 

Time Flys

School is out for the summer and we are trying to soak in as much sun and fun as we can! Rock Climbing has been our "go to" activity for the last month or so. We found a perfect spot up Big Cottonwood Canyon. It is basically right off the main road and by the river. It is perfect for little people!  Derrick has become quit the climber. Last time we went him and Daniel repelled off the top. That made my heart beat a little faster - Derrick was not scared at all and can not wait to do it again. Owen and Riley like to try, but after a couple feet off the ground they are ready to climb down! 

(Owen)                           

(Riley)                         

(Derrick)                   

(Derrick and Dan Repelling)             

My main goal this summer is to make memories with the kids that will last a life time. We have so many things planned and I hope that we can do it all before school starts in the Fall. *I will have 2 kids in school - Derrick will be in 2nd and Riley will be starting kindergarten - I think I might cry.