Love you daddy!

Fast Food

Out of pure laziness and utter exhaustion, we had dinner from Big J's tonight.  Both Mom and I were exhausted beyond belief, Mom suggested it and I didn't argue.  The kids were in heaven - the girls got shakes (yum) and Rock absolutely loved is puppet puppy!

Sunday

Since Allen has been working out of town and I am still working both jobs, Mom has been a great help at our house. It has been and still is an adjustment for the girls, but Rock is loving it!! He loves spending the day with Gr. Ruby and the extra attention he gets from his sisters.

Rock also loves that Gr. Ruby gets down on the ground and plays with him. Here is a picture of the lego castle he and Grandma built, which later the girls came along and tried to improve, tearing the whole thing down - Rock was not a happy little guy!

This is a picture of Rock and Sam playing around and Sam put a wig on his head - he thought it was sooooo funny!

Like Mother, Like Son

I have a picture of myself around the age of 3, wearing my pink jammies with my Dad's cowboy boots on, picking my nose. It is one of the cutest darn things ever, I must say!!! The other day, Rock tried on a pair of Bubba's rain boots and then wore them around the house. He is also at this stage of picking his nose and handing us the bugars (GROSS!!). I was able to catch this picture of him and it reminded me of my pic. I really wish I could find that picture. One of these days, when I have some free time (yeah, right!!) I'll dig it out and post it next to Rock's cute one!!

1 Years Smoke-Free

It has been a full year since Allen has quit smoking.  We are all so proud of him.  He's had a few rough moments, but he didn't give up, he has been so strong.  We didn't get to see each other on this wonderful anniversary, but I wanted Allen to know just how proud of him I am.  I knew he could do it, and I am so happy that he finally was able to believe in himself also.  The kids are also very excited for him.  We are very open and honest with the kids, and they have been great cheerleaders for their Dad.  Along with this monumental day, in 2 days we celebrate 5 years and 10 months of sobriety!!  With all these wonderful and healthy lifestyle changes, we'll get to have him around for a long time!!  I LOVE YOU, ALLEN!  Keep up the good work!

Saying Goodbye to Daddy......Again!

Allen came again this weekend and the kids loved seeing him.  He got home Saturday and we were able to have some family time.  When we talked to him on the phone he told us he was only in Brigham and then pulled into the drive a minutes later, so the kids got quite a surprise and they loved it.  Allen is still really enjoying his job, it's just been rough on everyone that it is out of town.  We just keep praying for an answer to get our family back together. 

Sunday we went to church as a family and Allen talk Elder's Quorum for the first time.  He said he did a terrible job, that he kept going blank, but others stopped him several times telling him what a great job he did.  After church we went home and had nap time then Allen took off...again.  The kids were squirting him with water guns before they said their goodbyes and then chased him down the street as he drove away.  It was actually quite cute, but it always breaks Allen's heart.

The kids are home

Mom and the kids got home this evening and I was so happy to see them!!  As much as I enjoyed the time alone, I really did miss my family.  I didn't get to do anything to fun because I worked so much, but it was nice to not feel guilty about being at work, how long I slept, or having Mom take care of my kids.  But when they pulled in the drive, it was a wonderful feeling to know my family was home. 

Allen had to call me in sick to church this morning because I had zero voice.  I had my lesson all ready for Sunday School, but without a voice there was no way I could teach.  So I called Allen with barely a whisper and asked him to let someone know that I would not be able to be there.  And since I didn't go to church, I got to sleep for a decent amount of time.  And when the kids got home, I was well rested instead of ornery.  They drew on the sidewalk with the chalk from the Easter Bunny and made a hopscotch grid.  Rock didn't know how to play, but was having a blast copying his sisters.  Then they started dancing around in the yard and doing flips and Rock copied them some more.  They were all so cute!!  I had dinner ready for them also and after catching up on the week's events, I got everyone showered and off to bed.  Now I know how hard it is on Allen while he is working out of town.  I knew that the kids would be back in just 6 days, but Allen's timing is still unknown at this point.  What we for our family because we love them so much!!

Damn Dog!

When I got home from work yesterday morning, this is what I walked into.  This is right at the entrance to Sammi's bedroom.  I have no idea what got into Max, but he decided to rip up her carpet.  I was SSSSSSOOOOOOO very MAD at him that I kicked him out of the house and would not let him back him for hours.  When he did come back into the house, it has been in his kennel.

Anyone want a dog?

Videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8Q-SvsHUwI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCaABmEJAEc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ_ksQfs9Eo

Easter Weekend

Our weekend to visit Allen just happened to fall on Easter.  I got lucky that way, because when I was planning time off, I never even though about Easter.  We left after school on Friday.  Mom drove her car with the girls and picked Sarah up on the way.  I drove separately with Rock and ran a few errands before leaving town.  We drove two vehicles because Mom and the kids stayed the next week since it was Spring Break and I headed home for work.  Mom and I met up at Little Acorn before entering Price Canyon so that we could caravan.  We were trying to get there before dark, but we didn't quite make it.  The kids and I met Allen at Dad's and stayed Friday night there while Mom continued on over to Kris'. 

Dad and Denise had gone camping so invaded Dad's house.  Allen had to work Saturday morning, but the rest of slept in.  That morning Dad called to say they were on their way home because it was so darn windy and cold on the desert.  So we did get to visit with Dad some.  They got a new puppy and the kids had a blast playing with her.  She really is a cute a puppy but she is going to be a BIG dog!!  That evening we left for Kris's like we had planned.  we colored eggs that night and the kids just got to play with all the cousins.  There are always fights, but they always end up making up and having fun!!  Sometimes they fight like siblings instead of cousins. 

On Sunday morning, the kids had to wait for everyone to wake up before they could come out of their rooms and look for their baskets.  At Aunt Sexy's house the Easter Bunny always hides the baskets as well as the eggs.  It was a little new to my kids and Sarah but they had fun looking.  Rock's basket was under the end table, Sarah's under the hide-a-bed, Danni's in the pantry, Sammi's in the dryer, Ashton's in the hall closet and Gage's under a laundry basket in the laundry room.  Once all the baskets were found, we all headed outside to find eggs.  The bigger kids helped the little kids find eggs and it was so cute to watch them all.  It makes me sad that they all have to grow up!!  I can remember when Gage was only as big as Rock is now.

We had a pretty restful day while the kids played.  Allen took Rock for a ride in the Rhino and then Allen and I went for a ride on Shaun's bike.  Allen was in heaven while I really tried to have fun in between all the thoughts of what if's - what if we don't make the turn, what it we fall over, what if we both die on the motorcycle!!!!  That's the worrier in me, but it was pretty fun most of the time.  Allen said he could tell when I got scared because I squeezed him almost in half.  So he would then slow down until I let go a little.  It's a good thing I am such a calm person!!!!

Dad came over that night for dinner and we barbecued steaks and just visited with everyone.  Once the kids were asleep, Allen and I headed back over to Dad's because he had to work early the next morning and I was headed home to Logan so I could work the next day as well.  Mom and the kids will be home next Sunday and Allen will get to see the kids everyday.  He plans on heading over to Kris's every night when he gets off work.  I am actually pretty excited to be home by myself.  I won't have to feel guilty about how much I am working or how much I sleep in between jobs.  I'm sure by the end of the week I'll be missing the kids lots, but for now I'm looking forward to my time all alone!!