It was a sunny but cold Monday, February 18th, President's Day morning

and we loaded the family up and hauled us all to Scheels

in search of the fabled indoor Ferris wheel and 16,000 gallon salt-water aquarium.

We figured with it being a holiday it might get busy so we went early and tried out the Ferris wheel first thing.

None of our kids could remember ever going on a Ferris wheel

and so

MDH and I quickly realized it had been years since we had been on a Ferris wheel and I discovered

that over the years I've developed a touch of a fear of heights.

Rose and Sam were a bit apprehensive but brave and willing to try it out.

We all agreed that the worst part was the stopping and starting while they loaded passengers on.

The whole up and around thing was fun!

Hannah knew her limits and didn't think the Ferris wheel was for her so she took pictures of/for us.

We didn't get any pictures of the aquarium but it was pretty neat.

I'm not sure what exactly makes something an aquarium and what makes it a fish tank.

If I was to label the one at Scheels I'd call it a very large salt-water fish tank but they call it an aquarium.

It was good sized but when I think of an aquarium I think of something huge.

Anyway, it was nice but not as big as I was expecting.

While our resident ocean expert (Spencer) was there examining the fish someone came up to him and asked him a question about the fish in the tank, and then he asked him a couple more.

The man said, "I thought you looked like you'd know all about these fish."

Looks like our boy should get a job there answering questions about the fish!

On our way out we had a few more photo opportunities at the kid's request.

They wanted to have a picture with their friend Abraham.....he's a good, friendly guy.

Check out our boy the photo bomber!

After Scheels we headed to Costco for free food samples and gas  (possibly both kinds....{giggle})

and ended the day by watching Wreck it Ralph at our local dollar theater.

It was a very good day.

Here we are a month out and the kids are still talking about it so I'd say

It was a successful family day too!

Do I look like a.....

It's been a great day. I love Mother's day.
The kids helped their dad make crepes for breakfast with fresh strawberries and cream and they all went out of their way to be kind to each other and me. It doesn't get much better than that.
I had to laugh at Mr. Man's excitement over his Mother's day gift to me.
When I opened it there was an antique looking picture of my boy in a frame (see above picture). I thought it was just so sweet and I started to tell him how much I liked it when he blurted out,
"Do I look Canadian? I think I look Canadian. That's what I wanted to look like.....Canadian."
So I told him, with a smile on my face, "Oh yes, you look very Canadian."
And he was happy.
Not sure where that came from but I think I'm going to label this picture on the back, Sam the Canadian, and then someday he'll look at the picture and say, "Sam the Canadian, what?" And I'll get to tell him this story which I think is very cute.

While I'm writing I just have to express my love for the two moms in my life.
I feel so blessed to have my mom who has managed to live her life with love, kindness and intelligence and gracefully teach me the the nuances of this sacred role of motherhood. She held me in her arms and then by the hand and now she stands with her arm around me all the while being my biggest cheerleader and I'm grateful for her sacrifices and love. I love you mom.
But my blessings don't stop there.
My Mother-In-Law is a remarkable woman as well. Somehow she survived my husbands accident-prone childhood with her sanity and sense of humor intact. She taught her boy to never give up, to work hard and play hard, to love and to dance and to clean a toilet and I thank her for all of those things. Now she supports and loves me as a daughter and as a mother to her grandchildren. I love you mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

A Whole Lot'o Princess Pink

The first part of this post was written Friday February 17th.


We're thinking pink today. Lots and lots of pink.
Youngest is having a Princess Birthday Party today.
Yes, her birthday was 7 weeks ago but hey, at least she's getting a party.Wish me luck.

I made up these cute little princess crown headbands for all of her friends and we have tons of princess games to play. 

Princess and the Pea

Hot Princess (Hot Potato)

Stop and Go Dance

Princess Fashion Show

Princess Pom Pom Poppers

Princess Says

Treasure Hunt

So bring on the princesses.

After the Party:

Aren't these girls adorable?! And I don't want you to miss the girl crossing her toes in the left bottom corner. Now that's one talented princess!

Unfortunately there was some princess drama as to who exactly was the birthday girl's very bestest friend.  The birthday girl was very neutral and claimed all of the princess were her best-bestest friends.

Which actually made things a little worse but I was proud of my girl.

I think everyone had fun though.

It's strange to think that I just hosted my fifth child's fifth birthday party.

I have a secret.....she wanted to have a pinata for her party but she forgot when we got to the nitty-gritty of the party planning.

I forgot about the pinata too. But then I remembered about it the day after the party. Whoops!

She hasn't said a word about it......YET!

But you better believe the next time we go to a store with pinatas she's going to remember. And it's not going to be pretty.

Lucky for me Easter is not too far away and Grandma W. always has a pinata for Easter.

Phew!....crisis averted

Anyway, back to the party and the pictures.

She missed all of the candles on her first attempt, again, because her eyes were closed.

So she tried again. The second time she got four of five.

So she tried again and this time she had a little help.

Sweet Cheeks had so much fun and can't wait until her next party.

I had so much fun and can't wait until I can take a nap.

Happy New Year!

We rang in the New Year together.

At exactly 12 AM Mountain Standard Time.

That's a first for our family. ( Everyone is old enough to handle it now!)

When our oldest kids were little we were known to celebrate at 9pm pacific time (where we lived at the time).......it was midnight on the east coast.......right?

Regardless of the time we've celebrated there's been one thing that stays the same.

We dance!

Chicken dance to be specific!

This year was no different.

Then we turned on other fun tunes that we all love and really let loose.

There was; 

country swing

Two step

Waltz

Moon walk

Charleston

Break dancing

Robot

Rodger Rabbit

Running Man

Hammer Time

Foxtrot

YMCA

Russian folk dancing

Disco

You name it we probably danced it.

It's a tradition we (I) love.

We  played;

Mario Kart

Skylanders

Disney Universe

&

Stratego

We ate:

Lemon Buddies

Chocolate covered fruit sticks and cinnamon bears

shrimp

gardettos

pizza

M&Ms

Kisses

Chips

Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks (for the adults)

Chocolate cookies with fluff in  the middle (from Germany, for the kids or so I've been told, but I really liked them too.)

We drank:

Sparkling Cider

IBC Cherry-Limeade

Egg Nog

&

Water

So much junk but oh so much fun!

Good times were had all around!

We even put together a puzzle featuring the St.Louis Arch.

This girl didn't feel so great.

She said she felt like she did when she was getting pneumonia and she was speaking in church the next day. So instead of playing with her friends/cousins she played with us.

We're so glad she did.

I hope our playing didn't set back her recovery.

I hope this year will be a happy one for each and every one of you.

I hope you find yourself challenged in a new way and rise to the occasion.

And when it's all said and done I hope you'll be happy with the person you've become and the new things you've learned and accomplished.

I hope you find peace.

I hope you have love.

I hope you smile every single day.

I hope you find joy in your story.

Here's to new beginnings and the promises of greatness in a new year!

Thought you'd like to know

Just in case you were wondering

a really good way to earn

Lots and Lots of brownie points from your wife

(at least from this wife)

Is to buy her and her daughters tickets to 

The Nutcracker, performed by Ballet West.

Just thought you ought to and might like to know.

We had a fabulous time.

It was magical.

We even picked up a Christmas ornament figurine of 

The Sugarplum Princess and her Cavalier.

And if Sweet Cheeks shows it to you she'll undoubtedly say.

"You have to be careful with the arms and legs because they are very, very fragile."

Halloween 2011

I started out saying, "No.", 

"No, I am not going to make any costumes this year. We have plenty in the box. Find one that fits."

He dreamed of being a Jedi, young Obi Wan to be specific.

Perfect! We have that in the box. 

But then,

Where are the pants? Oh ya, I let his big brother use them for pajama pants and they were worn completely out.

Where are the belt and leg things? Oh ya, I have no idea.

So I made new pants, a belt and spats.

Not too bad though.

She started out saying, "I want to be Cinderella with a cape."

I considered making it.

Then she wanted to be Darth Vader, Dora, Snow White, Ninja, etc.

Ummm, no.

But then she looked in the box and found....

Clifford, the big red dog.

It was love at first sight.

And

No alterations or additions needed.

Mama like!

Oh this boy.

He wanted to be an undercover goat.

Hmmmm.....not sure how to do that one.

Then he wanted to be Prof. Lupin.

He settled for a Pacific Giant Octopus. Red please and thank you.

And I did make this one but it was super easy thanks to familyfun.com

He still kind of wishes he could have been Prof. Lupin. His vision for that particular costume included half wolf, half professor....furry legs, suit and all....

Sorry son, not this year.

This girl dug out a costume my mom made for me 20 years ago.

Can you believe it?

The costume has seen lots of use by various family members over the years.

I think it has aged fantastically.

Cousins.

on my side.

Second oldest had his toe poked and cut and pulled and wrapped and he hobbled so he called His costume, "Tiny Tim" from A Christmas Carol.

Pumpkins.

This is MDH's favorite part of Halloween.

He likes to do a theme each year.

This year he and the kids chose characters from their favorite show.

Phineas and Ferb

I'm being completely honest. I did not stage this pose at all. 

She just does it.

Her cuteness is unstoppable.

Really? Halloween is over?

I know, I'm sad too.

But just think how much fun it will be next year!

PS this is our first trick-or-treating outing sans stroller! And sans fear of dogs.

I was in heaven!

She ran the whole way and didn't complain once.

She didn't refuse to go to a door because she heard a dog.

And I only had to defend her from one scary Halloween decoration with Mr.Man's light saber!

I'd say Halloween was a success.