Mama's Helper

Our weekly "Clean the House Day" usually happens every Monday. Hayden was particularly excited about doing everything yesterday. I started taking pictures after he scrubbed the toilets, and help scrub the tubs.

He wiped down all the appliances

He swept and mopped the kitchen and dining room floors

He washed and dried a few dishes

Then we went out side and he insisted on vacuuming the van.

It was so fun to see him so excited about helping me clean. He did a great job. As I've said before ...every family need a Hayden! We love him to peices.

Wanted...

...the creature who left these prints on my back porch!

For removing, taking, and eating ALL of the tomatoes from my tomato plants (red, green, large or small).

I'm not very happy about my tomato plant this year. I planted them in containers and placed them on the deck, in hopes that they would be safe from the wild life. No such luck!!

Dang those Racoons!

Happy 4th of July

We had a fun filled day: starting with the Ward breakfast, then shopping, playing with friends, the Maumelle parade, BBQ with friends, and ending the night with fireworks at the lake. Aaron had to work of course, so it was just me and the crew ALL day long. Fortunately he got home just in time for the fireworks, but he wanted to go to bed, so I was able to put Halle down before heading out again.

4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the parades, the BBQ's , and the fireworks. However, without a husband around to help with the last few, I'm starting to rethink things. The most important thing is that the kids had fun, and we were surrounded with great people all day. It was a good day!

Swimming lessons

ABC Tag

Tagged again! This time it's about me.



A- Attached or single: attached, married for almost 9 years!

B- Best Friend: I have multiple best friends. The Lord seems to know who I need when I need them. I have been very blessed to be surrounded by good friends. But I've stayed closest to Stephanie.

C-Cake or Pie: Pie please

D-Day: The day Aaron has off...he only get 4 days off a month, so I cherish them.

E- Essential Item: Kitchen Aid mixer

F-Favorite Color: red

G-Gummi Bears or Worms: neither, I prefer chocolate things. you know something substantial

H-Home town: Englewood Colorado, I also claim Sandy, Utah.

I-Indulgences: bubble baths and reading. If I can do that with a Sonic Blast in my hand and not have kids around I have died and gone to Heaven!

J- January or July?: July, It's hot and sweaty, but so many things to do.

K-Kids: 2 boys, 2 girls

L-Life is incomplete without: Aaron and the kids

M- Marriage Date: October 9, 1999

N-Number of Siblings: 3 brothers, 1 sister

O- Oranges or Apples: neither...pears, pineapple, mangoes...I'm a little more exotic with my fruit

P- Phobias or Fears: snakes

Q- Quote: Nike "Just Do It"

R- Reason To Smile: conversation between young kids

S- Season: Fall, crisp air, beautiful colored trees, long walks...oooo I love it!

T- Tag Four: April, Emilee, Tammy, Kristin

U- Unknown fact about me: I have a temper

V- Very Favorite Store: Hobby Lobby

W- Worst Habit: nail biter

X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasound...never had an x-ray

Y-Your favorite food: Indian, butter chicken

Z: Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Caite's Tag

Caite was tagged by her cousin Ellie a little while ago. Caite and Ellie are exactly one month apart to the day. I'm sad they live so far apart, because I know they would be the best of friends.

All About Caite

(according to herself)

Hair color: blond with a little brown

Eye color: blue

Favorite food: pizza and hamburgers

Favorite drink: root beer

Favorite book: Pinkalicious, Fancy Nancy

Favorite movie: Cinderella

Favorite TV show: Hannah Montanna

Favorite toy: my kitchen

Favorite song: all of High School Musical 2 songs

Favorite color: pink, purple, yellow, red, green, and sometimes blue

Favorite things to do: I like to play LIFE with my whole family. I like to play outside with my friends. I love to go to the pool. I love to sing, cuz I always sing. I like to go to the zoo and get slurppies.

All About Caite

(according to me)

Caite is ALL girl, from the her perfectly picked out outfits (although they don't always match), to her must have hair bows, to her red toenail polish. It is so fun to have a girly girl sandwiched between two brute boys. Her face lights up the room when she smiles. She has her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. If you ask her what Dad is getting her for when she turns 16, she will tell you "a pink car". Caite lived in 3 different countries by the time she was a year old (Grenada, St. Vincent, and the blessed US of A). She is a peacemaker in our family. When there is a fight over something, she will ALWAYS be the one to give in and let her brothers have their way. She tries hard to obey and reminds her brothers to do the same. Caite has a memory like an elephant, she can remember what she got in a goody bag from a friends birthday party 2 years ago...what in the world! She is a wonderful big sister and is always looking out for Halle. Caite brightens each day for me, I really am blessed to have her for my daughter. I couldn't ask for more.

Caite at 4 months in Grenada

1 1/2 years in Michigan

2 year old Princess

3 1/2 in Arkansas

4 years old at the Wonder Place

Hitting the Trails

This week we decided to unplug the TV. I haven't decided if that was smart or stupid yet, we'll see. We have a bunch of trails that go through the neighborhoods of Maumelle. One starts in our back yard and we can go for miles and miles if we want. The kids took their bikes this time and had a great time. This summer stuff is fun, but it's going to kill me having all the kids home. I'm trying to keep us as busy as possible to eliminate the fighting at home. Fortunately we live in a place where we have a lot of option of cheap entertainment.