Jeffey turns FIVE!

Jeff's celebration week started with both sets of grandparents. We had a pool party at Grandma and Papa's and then a train cake at the Jones'. He loves getting his dollars for how old he is.

Finding the quarter in Grandma's cake is always the best. Somehow Grandma Jones always knows what piece to give the birthday kid!

Then on to the friends party. All he cared about for his birthday is that all his friends could come play. He has such a sweet little heart. He constantly thinks of others before himself and just wants everyone to be happy. We often say he is a "lover not a fighter", he is a peacemaker in our house. He loves his brothers and is especially taken with Henry. It was so fun celebrating Jeff's day(s)!

He wanted a lion party at the last minute and Daddy and Mommy went shopping for the decorations and cake. It was a refreshing change from the multiple "doggy" parties.

Such a big boy from such a tiny start, I can hardly believe it.

Playing balloon toss with buddies. This was the best game and waterballoons are a definate favorite in our house.

It was so fun to see all our friends. Thanks to everyone that came and made Jefferson sooo happy. He sure loves his buddies.

He also had a fun birthday morning with the family and loved his new leapster game. We love our Jefferson. Happy Birthday little boy.

Happy Birthday Date

For Brian's birthday this year we decided to do a morning date and hiked camelback and then had breakfast at Olive and Ivy (quickly becoming my new favorite restaurant). It was my first time and Brian was great motivation. We also went to dinner with friends and had pie with the boys.
Happy Belated Birthday Brian, we love you!

Charmed Life

It takes me about six weeks after my c-sections to feel human, but it takes me six months to feel like myself again. The last few months are a bit of a blur, but as Henry gets bigger and all things level out, I am stopping to count a few of my blessings in my very charmed life.

I love this patient, sweet man who supports me in all my ups and downs. I also love my new hair, literally a weight is off my shoulders!

My dad is getting ready to go north again, and he will be greatly missed. I am so grateful for my parents help and how much they love my children. My kids have the best grandparents (on both sides)

My niece and nephew went without sugar, of their own choice, for four months. We helped Noah break the streak at Oreganos on his birthday with a pizzookie. I am so proud of their willpower.

On a side note, Lukey got his arm stuck in a metal umbrella stand at the restaurant and someone at another table had to tell me, there goes my "mother of the year" award for 2010, better luck next year! Jeffey has the best "bed head"!

I have started a pretty demanding workout scheduele and thanks to my sister and Leah, have stayed on track for three weeks so far. I took this picture one night. The kids enjoy playing while we do the videos and I hadn't been back to see the damage until I tucked the boys in. I haven't felt this great in sooo long.

Ben/Mario is another one of my favorite things! Between all the boys, I get plenty of comedic relief in any given day.

I am in LOVE!!! I could just eat this tiny boy. His sweet smile makes it all worth it. I love watching his little personality develop.

Life is certainly not perfect, I'm tired a lot and lose my patience too much. Our home is rarely spottless and we don't usually make it anywhere on time, but it sure is a fun ride. When we are all playing "ten tricks" on the trampoline together, I wish time could just stand still.

Easter Fun

I told the boys that their hands would stay blue until they were Dadddy's if they got color on them. Lukey still couldn't resist coloring his tiny fingers!

Our gorgeous finished products, Martha would be proud.

I read about the whisk idea in a magazine....worked great, signifigantly less mess than last year.

All ready for bed to wait for the Easter Bunny to bring yummy treats. Such a fun tradition.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

We go to the zoo about once a year. Every year (except one, I'm so upset!!), we take a picture by the monkey villiage sign. I thought it would be fun to see how the boys have grown over the years: Benjamin and Jackson in 2006.

Ben and Jackson in 2007.

The same trip in '07, the three little monkeys, what fun friends.

With our cousins in January 2008.

Fun times with Cameron in December of 2008. Hallie started school this year, we missed her!

With Ava and Ella in March 2010.

The sign is getting a little worn. I can't believe how big the boys are. I hope we get to go to the zoo with these cute girls again! These pictures make us miss our fun friends we don't see as much anymore. Thanks for all the great memories.

New Things For Spring

I love spring in Arizona. The weather is fantastic and spring break couldn't come at a better time. We have spent the last two weeks enjoying our little family and learning new things. This is a picture of Lukey down by our "grassy area" as the boys call it. I heard him saying "Leonardo, Donatello are you there?" He is getting so big and just keeps getting cuter!

Jeffey's new adventure is hockey. He loves it. He is doing a free camp with the Coyotes and has improved so much over the last three weeks.

Here he is sitting on his bucket that he used to push around the first week. Now he can skate by himself, get up when he falls and shoot the puck into the net. He loved when Grandma and Papa came to watch and is having fun being the first one to try a new sport to our family.

He loves how big he looks in all his gear.

I love that I can barely see him when he has his helmet on. I think its adorable. Im glad one of the boys appreciates their Canadian roots!

Ben's new adventure is learning to ride his bike. Daddy ran a couple miles the last two weeks beside him, but now he can do it himself.

Thanks to cousin Noah for loaning us the handle till he got the hang of it.

Ben got to be Star of the Week at school the last week before spring break and loved telling everyone about his 24 cousins and fun things he does with his family. He brought Luke and Henry as his special people to interview in class.

Lukey finished his preschool program with the city this month. At the little ceremony he was adorable as he led me around. He found us a spot to sit on the steps and eat our treats (which was his favorite thing!). He said in his cute little way "here's a good spot mommy". I can't get enough of him right now. I love this little age. He is my little buddy and is always ready to give me a hug and kiss. He is such a big boy in his tiny body!

With Ms. Alex. She said he was always good in class and participated. He did a great job singing at the presentation and is learning to write quite a few letters. He is a great little artist and loves to color and draw. He is a joy in our family, and keeps up laughing all the time.

Henry is also learning all sorts of new tricks. At five months he weighs what Jeff did at a year, wears the same size diaper Lukey wore when he potty-trained at two and is a great sleeper. He is rolling all over the place and babbling and smiling. The boys love him and he is constantly smothered with attention.

What a fun little family.

Super Mario Turns Six

My baby is six! These treat bags for his party pretty much sum up his interests at present. Everything is about Mario these days. Ben loves the Wii and Legos. He has grown up soooo much this year. Ben is an accomplished reader, great student and enjoys school. He loves his buddies the most and plays ball with them at recess. He is a great big brother to our crew. He is extremely obedient and very helpful. He gets up happy each morning and ready to start the day. Benjamin is especiallly tender with little Henry. I find him some mornings standing next to the baby's crib talking to him, while we get up. He is getting really good at drawing and loves to make pictures. He just gave a very grown up talk in church with confidence. We love watching him grow and mature into a handsome boy. He is a great example to his brothers and friends.

He enjoyed all his lego gifts from friends and family.

Our traditional trip to Toys R' Us. Wearing the crown is still cool!

Blowing out the candles at our family party with cousins. We also had a Star Wars cake at Grandpa and Grandma Jones' house. Birthday week is great.

My miserable attempt at a Mario cake in an hour. Ben wrote his name and helped me. He loved it, which is what matters in the end.

We had our friends over for a little party and played baseball at the end of our street in the "grassy area" with daddy. Ben loves his friends.

Everyone got to decorate their own cupcake with candies.

Some of our favorite friends. (Lukey's face is classic!)

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy. We love you bud.