And Then There Were 5

Meet Chloe.    She is a German shepherd, husky, lab mix. 

She is 6 months old and the most loving dog I have ever met.  I was so thrilled when I learned she had one blue eye and one brown!  We got her from a family whose new landlord did not allow dogs, and feel very lucky.  We brought her home last night and have loved every second with her.  Dylan is still hesitant of her and Avery loves her to death.  We bought Chloe a raccoon toy that she loves to throw around to herself and it makes me giggle. 

We are excited to welcome Chloe to our family, because we believe every kid needs a dog.

More Fashions By Avery

I can’t say this is one of my favorite looks, but it made me laugh more than any other.  She is wearing the top of her new bathing suit (she calls it her “bathing scoot”), her big girl underwear (no, she’s not potty-trained) and her new church shoes.  She even struck a lovely pose for the picture.  That’s my girl!

Our Very Own Water Park

Recently we purchased a pool and slip-n-slide for Dylan and Avery.  The other day, after the ward primary activity, Makenzie and Caleb came over to play in the pool and on the slip-n-slide too.  I saw my future with Dylan and Avery as Makenzie and Caleb’s creativity became more and more fun to watch.  I took over a hundred pictures that day (which I’m sure surprises no one) and had to choose only my favorites to show you what a fun day we had.

Edwards Family

Here is yet another, though much smaller, project completed.  When Nathan’s mom, Sharon, was down last, she helped me put this idea together.  I had been wanting to hang my little people somewhere in the kitchen, but I just couldn’t figure out where, so we came up with this!!

If You Cut Them… They Will Grow

So, again, I took my mom’s advice and trimmed my roses.  While I am not a florist,

 

I was quite impressed with the arrangement I was able to get out of my own front yard.

Service at its Best

On Monday, some of the kids from our primary class and our friends Jenni and Bekah, came over and did a service project in our backyard.  You can see some of the before and after shots.  They worked hard and made a huge difference… and then had some fun too!!!  They filled 10  large, black, leaf/lawn bags to get it cleaned up.  Thank you all!

BEFORE…

AND AFTER….

Here is most of the crew eating lunch, and Hallie and Makenzie doing creative makeup with their dessert.  Overall, another great day and I continue to love these kids more and more and am so grateful Nathan and I are their primary teachers!

Finally, there may be only a few people who can appreciate this “after” picture.  This is the west side, in front of our house, where there is mostly rocks and before this picture a TON of weeds.  It took me almost a week of working an hour or so a day to get it all done. 

Doing Laundry Makes Me Happy????

Well, it does when I’m in my new bright yellow laundry room!!!  Even our hands our yellow!  We have plans for framing our hands in the near future, but it remains on our “to do” list.  I also got a fun mat for keeping my feet warm, instead of having to step on the cold concrete.  (Note to my few, but very loved blog followers: thank you for your patience of my many house project posts, it just makes me so excited!)

I LOVE DAYS THAT I LAUGH

Yesterday was a very busy, very long, very good day.  Kiersten, Makenzie and Bekah came over to help me watch kids and count and organize our cold storage.  They were such a big help, and we managed to have some fun through it all too!   Lindsey and Avery decided during the organizing that they were through wearing clothes.  (Honestly,  I don’t know what it is about no clothes at our house.  I blame the warm weather!)   After Makenzie and Kiersten were done helping me they slipped outside for some time on the trampoline without the younger kids.   They invited me outside for their four act show full of their many tricks.  I was quite impressed.  Soon after they convinced me to get on with them, which brought many laughs and the quick realization that I’m definitely not as young as I used to be!  One of the highlights was that Lindsey LOVES to wear Avery’s clothes.  So, to avoid Avery getting mad, but keeping Lindsey happy, I picked out this fashionable outfit, which Lindsey could not be more cute in!   Finally, once the other kids were all back home and Nathan had come home, we  cut Dylan’s hair again  and then watched him and Avery play in the shower while he sprayed himself off, which too brought many laughs (sorry, no pictures).  I was exhausted at the end of the day, but was very grateful for a fun day, full of laughter, with family and friends.

My First Rose

A couple of days ago, the first rose bloomed in our front yard.  I never thought I would be excited about a rose blooming, especially because I’m not much of a flower person.   However, with the direction of my mom, I have kept the rose bushes alive.  For those who know me, that is quite an accomplishment.  So, I am proud to present to you my first rose.

Warm Spring Days

I think the picture speaks for itself!!!