a good Life

Nothing a good sunset can't fix

2012-01-31T11:47:00.001-07:00

Its a struggle living in the city. Love the conveniences. Not the view. It's been a hard thing for me since moving out of my parents house and into dorms at BYU right after high school. I feed off beautiful nature and wide open spaces.(Que Dixie chicks song... "Wiiiiide open spaces!") It's hard to explain how it makes me feel but I feel very sad after awhile. Once I tried to explain it to my college roommate, when I was crying about too much pavement and trees that were planted... not real trees. Yah she looked at me like I was nuts. And I was, and probably still am. So I've never tried to explain it again, just let Devin know, I need to get out of town, and see something pretty. This has been the cause of hundreds of drives in the country side the past 7 years of our marriage. Hunting for a beautiful view, a sweet quiet spot.

Then I always want to take a picture of it. It's like pouring a pitcher of happiness into my chest and suddenly everything in life is a little extra wonderful. I seriously go from "I am a huge failer in life!" Too... "I am the most blessed girl in history!" Even boogers suddenly seem cute to me.

(North Shore Hawaii had me SOARING with happiness, and I've been scheming ways to move there ever since.) Anyway,

We've driven A LOT since moving to the area. And to say the least Boise is lacking.

This weekend was extra bad, and I needed something beautiful to look at in the worst way.

Nothin.

But we did find a good sledding Hill.

And my little family is a pretty beautiful sight to look at.

They are truly my sunshine when skies are gray.

Most especially this one recently.

It was decided that these sunshine's of mine were more than enough for me to be thankful for.

(Sometimes I feel the need for a good swift kick in the pants still, to keep my attitude in line.)

And then by surprise, a true gift.....

That sunset will get me through this entire week.

Which was so needed because this week had some big unexpected sadness in it.

But I know if we can just endure the dark days, even when the clouds may be extra gray in life, there are blessings around every corner.

Just like this Sunset.

2012-01-29T23:47:00.001-07:00

Tonight went like this:

5ish-extra kids gone.
5:05is- spaghetti is decided for dinner while Cache checks the mail.
5:06- Cache announces its super warm out and he reeeeally wants to go the park.
Dad won't be home till late, heck why not.
5:10- A car full of scooter and kids eating animal crackers(dinner is postponed) on the way to the park.
6:00- Return home to a house FULL of smoke.
I forgot to take the spaghetti noodles off the stove in our haste to get to the park.
Black pan found-suprisingly and thankfully not much damage to stove or pot.
6:05-I run through the smoke opening all windows and doors in house, when I hear hysterical crying.
Naomi did not take a nap = a Maniac, true true MANIAC that is upset by everything if she is not in pj's and in bed by 5:55pm.
The open windows have upset her and she is frantically closing them all.
6:15. Take a kicking and screaming Nay back out to the car and buckle her in with her blankie. She is calm.
go back in and open all the windows.
6:30. Arrive at Costa Vida smelling like smoke. Two kids wrapped in blankets.
We stay for over an hour and 1/2 sharing salads and Nachos and watching surfing. The kids want to move to Hawaii too. :) Cache continues his plot to throw pies in his Dad's face as soon as he can. He is such a happy kid. I love him.
7:30ish Devin is done seeing patients and joins us. Gets the low down on the fire, but he says he can smell us from outside.

Day is done.
I had the best time I've ever had with my 3 kids sharing food and waiting for our house to un-smoke.
I'v never laughed so hard at their tactics, personalities, attitudes. And I so love seeing my kids inhale salad. Cafe rio and costa vida are the only places they do that. Crazy night turned great night.

In the life...

2012-01-25T22:18:00.001-07:00

It's a wonder more doesn't get done around here with all this help.

This is why I wait till 10pm to deep clean the bathrooms.

***

Today:

Naomi: "Mom I hear a volcano in my chest. It's going to blow up and splode my heart."

I have no idea, but she'll tell you all about it.

Another Naomi logic from Bath time this morning:

"Louie sit down. Louie, I SAID sit down! Tashhy help me so Louie doesn't dus slip down, roll over and bonk his head, THEN he's eyes will blink blink blink."

Tonight as Devin was home for 30 minutes to throw down a smoothie and some chicken, wrestle with kids,

listen to Naomi tell about her volcano in her chest, do a whirl wind clean of the house (to help me prepare for Activity days at our house), listen to me yell, STOP cleaning I can handle it!(even though I probably couldn't get it done in time) and then finally kiss me goodbye to go teach till 10pm, I sighed: "Do you think we'll ever be bored again?" I wish we could be bored.

I wish we could be bored in Hawaii.

2012-01-25T21:22:00.000-07:00

Lost his first tooth riding in the car.
Second tooth: a bunch little girls were over from church, Cache was hiding in the back of course, and he came out holding his tooth.

No I'm not going to document every tooth my children looses.
But maybe I will. :) So don't judge.
He is my first child so every tooth is exciting for me and for Devin.

Tonight as he was studying his little tooth in a baggy, he said:

"Mom when am I going to loose my tounge and then get a grown up tounge?"

I told him 12 days after his 9th birthday. :)

Snow is fun

2012-01-22T09:22:00.004-07:00

Just another food source to Gage.

Snow is so exciting. The kids just shoved snow gear on over the jammies. They were tearin out the back door before they even had breakfast. Had to chase a few of them down through the snow with boots and gloves and hats and they even fought me to keep them on. Crazies.

Random note. Gage is such a joy in this house.

At breakfast this morning Cache told us how in the middle of the night Gage was singing "Twinkle twinkle, but only with the words: "Da da da da!" (The boys share a room now.)

He is a good little singer.

He wrestles with Naomi.

He is possessive of a certain Boston red sox hat.

You have to help him search for it when he gets up from his nap.

No other hat will do.

When we call for dinner, lunch, snack, breakfast, he runs as fast as he can, puts his bib on over his head, and waits patiently by his highchair.

He eats more than Naomi.

He sleeps with his shoes on.

And if he is wearing feety jammies, he will sleep with his shoes in his chubby little hands.

Iron grip.

He thinks everyone and everything is trying to steal his shoes. He'll boss : "DOH DOH DOH."

(dont' don't don't) if you come near his shoes.

He raises his voice at the end of words(babble), like he is always asking a question.

He throws his dishes when he's finished eating.

That should make a mother mad. But I crack up every time.

I guess I wish sometimes I could be that uninhibited.

What if adults just threw their dishes across the room to signal they were threw eating?

Think about it....

it would be so funny.

That's all I got for today.

2012-01-20T09:33:00.001-07:00

I was reading this website. And found this advice. I loved it. I needed it. Here it i:

Children are not adults.

so let's stop expecting them to act like adults!

Let's remember that we have almost 20 years with them in our home.

Let's remember that it's our job to keep reminding, keep training, keep responding with kindness...over and over and over.

(times infinity)

Let's remember that their immature behavior doesn't make them bad, and doesn't make us bad.

It makes them children.

Which is exactly what they are supposed to be. If children acted like adults, why would they need us?

Do we hope they'll be "good" so they don't inconvenience us? Do we hope they'll be "good" so they make us look good in front of others?

(yes, raising my hand sheepishly here)

Or do we expect to do our jobs? Expecting to love unconditionally, to chase away fears and worries from our minds, to show and model grace.

(times infinity)

Sounds like a job description worthy of a couple of decades, don't you think?

I also loved the link at the bottom of this post titled. "Have a YES day."

It's all about saying yes to children.

I read several articles on saying YES. THIS was my favorite ever.

Saying yes does feel good. It reminds me how exciting the world felt when I was a child and gives me a chance to give my children the experiences they'll remember forever.

A conversation to remember

2012-01-16T20:25:00.002-07:00

On the way home from a park tonight I heard Cache in the back explaining to Nay:
"If you plug your nose and hold you breath and blow out really hard Your eyeball will pop out of your head. Then you have to wait for a long long time for another eyeball to grow back."

Pretty soon, he yelled to the front for me to confirm his story. I told him NO that sadly eyeballs don't grow back.

He wasn't convinced.
"Well arms and fingers grow back if they get chopped off, so an eyeball might too if your really careful with your body and eat and sleep really good."

Well, no actually arms and fingers don't grow back either Cache. Although it would be so great if they did. But they don't.

"Well one time at the fair I saw this guy with short arms and he had 3 fingers on one hand and 4 fingers on the other hand."

OH.
So what did you think about him?

"That he was just working hard to grow his fingers and arms back after they got chopped off. He just had baby arms, and they were growing UP."

UPDATE: Cache told us the source of such knowledge that eyeballs will pop out of heads was

Uncle Nick.

My favorite thing that Naomi says lately is:

"Tashy is being inapopeee AT." (Cache is being inappropriate.)

She's says this very seriously while blinking her wide eyes at me.

Then nods her head and walks away like a little miss.

These are our blessed children in their Christmas outfits.

I meant to retake them. Don't I always?

I just really imagined these pics in snow.

Still waitin for that snow.

In the mean time, these make me happy.

Behold our 3 Christmas cheese balls.

OH looking at those pictures makes me feel like I just laughed for 10 minutes.

I don't know why I was given such characters to raise.

But I am grateful.

Well... most of the time.

Getting through winter

2012-01-10T13:21:00.000-07:00

Scooters inside where it's warm.

Gage has lotion on his face. He applied that himself.

Friday nights of homemade pizza and Disney movie.

Gage insisted on having his very own blanket just like the big kids.

Ring around the rosies with friends.

Spring come soon! We are runnin out of stuff to do and room to do it within these walls.

Christmas 2011

2012-01-08T13:28:00.001-07:00

Christmas was extra special this year. It just felt well, wonderful!

The cherry on top of the ice cream sundae of life.

We packed all the presents, ate the gingerbread house, very sadly threw out the Christmas tree(fire hazard Devin said), and headed to Pendleton.

We did all our traditions.

Visited the Levy's and played with their train, met Jennifer's new baby Morgan!

Jan and Mac always gets the kids the cutest presents.

Then To Grandma Carla's for Christmas Eve! OH soo much good food. Uncle Max's wife Martha always sends some good meat over from Haines. Sirloin tip or Ham or both.

Then we talk and eat and talk and eat and talk and eat.

This year was extra special because 6 out of the 7 brother's were there. Just missed Uncle Troy.

oh AND AAAAAShley was home from her Mission!!!!

I love this dear sister of mine. And missed her so much. So I was ex tactic to see her, and hang out with her.

She is truly DA BEST! And loves Christmas!

SEE!

Grandpa Calvin

Grandma's tree with all her crochet framed Grandchildren. This one is Joey!

While we talked and ate, the kids as tradition... went crazy.

Rug burns, red cheeks and 20 different ways to slide down stairs.

Roan was hiding from my camera but I caught him up there at the top.

Lane and Gage.

Two of the cutest chunkity chunks.

Matching round tummies.

Devin and my Grandma are Kindred spirits in many a way.

He always likes to catch up on all her new books she's been reading.

Google Santa tracker.
The kids were constantly checking to see which country Santa was in at the moment.

Then we all gather for the grand kids to open up pajamas.

Gramps is trying to kick someone in the head...of course. :)

Until your married you will have matching Pj's from Grandma. And must pose for picture.

Ali is always so sweet to Naomi.

You can tell how much Naomi loves getting her picture taken with her.

It was cute.

Since Hawaii, Gage still prefers Grandpa or Grandma over me when they are around....

Uncle Jay looked strong that night.

Then around 9 or later, we go back home. Sent out Santa cookies, take a Christmas Eve pictures.

The siblings.

The Parents

Santa came!

As tradition since Ben and I were little, the boys and Ash were up by 3 am, playing with Santa toys.

Since I was up with a crying baby, I had company. Great for me!

Daylight came and they were aloud to wake up the little kids and open gifts.

Wicked tickets!

Gage was most interested in Santa's left overs.

shin guards and knee pads for the next time Dad fall off the tractor! (Joey's gift.)

still sneekin the cookie crumbs

pink scooter, tutu, lip gloss and a barn were Naomi's spoils.

Cache: scooter, camera and spy watch.

Gage: farm animals, diapers and a plasma car.

OH and Devin and I made the kids blankets. With Sarah and Ashley's help :)

"Putting Makeups on me wips."

"I'll just take the whole plate." He decided.

We went to church, which was very Christmasy and was a nice reminder after our LOOT of what Christmas is really all about. Christ. And I got to see lots of high school friends.

That night Grandma and Gramps came over with Bruce and Natalie to eat Trifle and try out all boys new

xbox Dance games. Grandma is such a sport! Natalie wouldn't let me take pics of her but she is an awesome dancer.

Great Christmas. I don't want my kids to grow up.

Cache's new camera

2012-01-05T09:25:00.005-07:00

What are these you ask? Well they are the very last pictures I will be taking for Cache.

Daily he asks me to take pictures of his toys in battle. He also loves to borrow my camera.

But after an episode of taking pictures of Ants.( With permission) That resulted in a broken lens worth several hundred $.... My lovely parents gifted me a new lens for Christmas and Cache a new

"Fisher Price Kid tough camera!" It also does video and lots of other fun features .

This will go down as one of the best Christmas presents ever. Cache has used it every day... for hours at a time. After Devin established a few rules like no video anyone in underwear EVER, Cache has come up with some doozies. These videos make me laugh and laugh. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. (Warning they might make you sick, but they are worth watching to the end.)

This next one was taken Christmas Day.
Naomi is talking about the dogs about how one is a boy and one is a girl. Then she says "Gid just licked my tounge!" haha.

I also love how Cache says about Naomi "she is still just young and doesn't know everything." He meant to add "Like I do." Because Cache told me he knows everything and if you ask him if he is smarter than his dad, he'll confidently say, Yes.
UH OH. Lessons to learn this one has!

As I was loading videos and thinking how this camera has really brought out Cache's funny bone again.

I found this video of him. And realized how funny Cache has always been. Also that I don't video enough.

OH I miss the little chubby singing version of him!

2012-01-02T21:17:00.032-07:00

Christmas at Devin and Amie's.

Growing up I still remember the tall candle my mom would get out with a picture of a fire place on it.

I can actually smell it still when I think about it. I also remember the little toy soldier riding the wooden rocking horse. And I remember what the snowman decorations tasted like. Because I ate them. ha.

The Christmas decor at our house has lots of meaning too.

The stocking Grandma Orton made for us.

Nay's snow globe collection.

The snow Globe from Naomi's second Christmas.

It is Cache and Naomi in bed, with Cache's blankie.

Cache's green blanket even has swirls on it just like that.

The Snow Globe from Gage's first Christmas.

This one was picked because we needed a Nativity amongst our Christmas decor and we had a new baby that Christmas just like Jesus.

She doesn't get one every year, just sometimes when we find the perfect one.

Our family stockings. Gage's says Louis on it because he was our St. Louis baby.

This year I used the scraps from the tree to help out the rest of the house.

I was pretty darn proud of myself, and it made our whole house smell like Christmas tree!

A turtle Dove.

All of my many Garage Sale decorations.

I don't go anymore. It lost it's thrill with our move it Idaho.

This guy collects all the incoming Christmas cards,

before they are read and taped to the inside of our front door.

2005 Cache's first Christmas.

Also our first Christmas as a couple.

That was crazy.

Some of the boys ornaments.

They are indestructible.

Perfect for little boys who like to play with ornaments.

Thus the reason only 2 are pictured. The train and plane are lost somewhere under the tree in toys right now.

This little ball right here is my inheritance from my Great Grandma Price.

One of the awesomest ladies that ever lived.
The single most peaceful feeling I've ever felt was sleeping at their house.
I loved their little house. I loved them.

I don't even know if she treasured this little ball. Probably not.

But I do.

And I think of her every single Christmas when I hang it on the tree.

That's a glimpse of our Christmas home 2011.

2012-01-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Somebody wanted to go to work with Daddy today.

"But I got my coat!"

So rejected.

LOVE HIM. Love him. love him. Love him.Lovehim.lovehim.Lovehim.

2011-12-29T16:07:00.002-07:00

Happy 7 year anniversary Devin!

After seven years we practically wear the same pants.

There that fills your quota for inappropriate pictures for the year.

Devin is the easiest man to enter into marriage with and that's a fact.
We won't be going out tonight because Devin has a bunch of work to get done before Friday at 5pm.
But he got me my first house plant. A peace lily.
I love it.
Yes we now have a love fern that will be symbolic of our love...so I better not let it die!
Hopefully it will bless us with cleaner air this winter and another 7 years of peace in our marriage.
Devin has turned over a new leaf recently and started getting me gifts without first making sure it's exactly what I want. I really like it. Most of the time its NOT exactly what I would have picked. And I end up liking it more. Well so far. Maybe in a while I'll want him to turn that leaf back over. Anyway.
I was pleasantly surprised with my peace lily. Thank you.
We will celebrate this weekend with a date somehow.
We are saving most of our party funds for a belated anniversary trip of sorts to a tropical island this summer!

Word to the wise, marry a man like Devin: Fun, peacemaker, hard worker, faithful, loyal, smart, loves to learn, non critical, soft hearted, level headed, very generous, full of dreams, handsome. You will be happy.
Also don't get married in December. It stinks and it's hard to budget for your anniversary.
But I do love sharing a anniversary with Sarah and Nick and Devin's parents.
Must be a good date because they all have good marriages!
Here's to the rest of our married life. Let the good times rooooll.

A stately Christmas Greeting

2011-12-27T20:37:00.001-07:00

It smells of Rich mohagany around here.

Please come read our many leather bound books.

Sincerely, Dr. and Mrs. Orton.

This is the Christmas greeting we are sending out to Devin's patients.

What do you think?

Hawaii day 7

2011-12-22T00:37:00.008-07:00

Beach all the live long day.

Pretty girls on the beach. Ellie is such a cutie pie.

The Four Orton boys.
Wayne, Darin, Dylan, Devin

He would be happy to boogie board the rest of his life.

Snorkel mask a bit too tight.

To frame and put in Nays' room.

Cute Katelyn

There really weren't mosquitos, but Kelsie thought she better be safe than sorry.

Kyle showing me his AAaaawwwwesome shark tooth.

Just washed up on shore.

Packing up to fly out.

Last Sunset. Can't believe it's over!

Yah we are awkardly squatting... trying to get the sunset in.
Cache is taking the picture so we had to come down to his level..

I miss putting flowers in her hair everyday.
I miss Hawaii.

What an amazing experience. Lots of people have great big families. Lots of people go to Hawaii, but who gets to go to Hawaii with that great big family?

Saying thank you just doesn't seem like enough.

But we still tried.

We tried to say it in Hawaiian. (Mahalo) But no, still not adequate.

In Hawaii we learned the word for family is "Ohana." It means "no one left behind."
A trip to Hawaii is certainly a generous gift but it is by far not the greatest gift Devin's parents have given to their children. They are diligent and faithful, selfless and loving. And tirelessly serving others. They are exact in thier obedience. Practical and happy. They have given thier whole life so that none of thier family, not a one gets left behind. It makes perfect sense that Janie loves her large Noah's Ark collection. Noah didn't leave anyone behind either.
Ohana.

Hawaii Trip OVER.

Merry Christmas !

Hawaii day 6

2011-12-21T23:13:00.002-07:00

Thanksgiving Day

Snorkeling and Thanksgiving dinner.

Seven days in Hawaii passed in a snap but it's taking forever to blog it.

Grandpa took us all snorkeling. It was so neat. Saw a seat turtle.

Thanksgiving dinner Hawaiian Style.

Purple sweet potatoes, stuffing, turkey and cranberry sauce, scalloped potatoes cooked rolls with vanilla coconut banana butter.

Grandpa and his ukulele serenaded us to "Pearly Shells and Aloha Oi."

I love this picture of Janie. She looks so pretty and just guess who she is so lovingly looking at.

Waiting for dinner

This is what Naomi did instead of eating any dinner.

Gosh we so love this girl and quote her daily after she goes to bed.

What makes me laugh about this picture is she is not being silly, she is just humming along,

just attending to business. Sticker business.

So many cute girls in this Orton family. We need miss Molly in this picture.

We walked around that evening to grab a few last souvenirs.

These guys looked just like statues and we weren't really sure if they were real people or not.

So Cache went up and poked him.

Then he put money in the hat and the silver man came alive and did an amazing robot dance.

This next guy, Cache went and put money in his hat and he pulled out this pistol.

If pictures had sound you would hear Noami SCRREEEAMING and crying.

She thought he was gonna attack Cache, which made Cache worry a bit.

What an unforgettable Thanksgiving.

It was funny to see some decorations with autumn leaves when fall is the farthest thing from your mind. We were sure thankful this Thanksgiving for family, for Hawaii and for Gage.

Day 6 over.

Hawaii is full of funny people!

2011-12-20T19:30:00.000-07:00

This guy made us laugh forever.

Hawaii Day 5

2011-12-19T20:19:00.004-07:00

Polynesian Cultural Center

Luau

Temple

I love Naomi desperately trying to give me a flower in this next picture.

BYU Hawaii.

This is Cousin Walter.

The best tour guide ever.

Mountains where Jurassic park was filmed.

Not the best picture.

Boat ride through the different island villages

Noni Fruit.
My mom and Grandparents made us drink this stuff when we were sick and not sick, and when I had a wart on my foot and when baby's have ear aches etc etc. Grossest stuff!

I wrote a paper on Noni at BYU. If you ever want to know stuff about it....

Naomi didn't have ponies to line up.. so rocks will do.

Oh I laughed forever at Pat in drumming show. The Korean guy was also hilarious!

Our favorite village was of Tahiti of course.

This guy was from an island where some of my favorite stories happened, that my Grandparents told me.

Starts with an R. I can't spell it.

Grandma I met someone that knows you her name is Regina Mo'O.

She says your families are friends.

Figi I think.

Hawaii

Tahiti.

She was actually pretty good at these.

Samoa

Devin really wanted to do this.

Quick nap before dinner.

This was Naomi's dolly souvenir.

She picked it and named it Josie without hesitation.

Luau.

Dinner arriving.

Our favorites were the raw fish.

And our Pineapple smoothie.

Naomi refused to eat the purple rolls all week.

The night ended with a show called "HA breath of life."

It was beautiful. My kids were absolutely riveted the whole time.

Eyes glued

I was surprised. It was sorta long.

Cache has not stopped talking about the fire dancers.

Day 5 over.

Hawaii- day 4

2011-12-18T22:46:00.001-07:00

North shore!-

We rented a van with Dylan and Sara and headed out of the city to the North Shore.

OH I loove the North Shore.

So beautiful.

The best part of this day was definitely the GPS sounding out the Hawaiian highways.

I couldn't help it and laugh every single time it said it.

"Turn left on Ka may ha mi ha mi may ha mo ha highway."

Oh so funny.

We stopped at this look out to do some...

looking out

at this crazy beautiful valley.

This was also the most wind I have EVER ever experienced. And they said it is always like this... something about ancient Hawaiian warriors ghosts.... I forgot.

I just love Nay's smile in these next pictures.

Whoever these ancient dead ghosts were, they were having a hay day with my hair.

To be really honest, Devin and I were kinda mad at each other, I wish I could remember why, something about him walking down a trail and one of not telling the other where Naomi is. We were trying to tell explain ourselves to each other but the wind kept us from it and we ended up just dying laughing at our efforts. Devin was literally holding onto the rock wall to keep from blowing over.

I'm feeling quite vain with all these pictures of myself. Oh well. It was such a funny memory!

Next stop Buddhist temple.

The Drive there!

Banana tree and such.

A Black swan.

I thought it was super neat.

I almost died of shock, worry and laughter when I was
leaving the temple and turned back to see my nephew Taivan down on his hands and knees bowing over and over to this statue. No one but me saw him though. I just really didn't want to offend anyone. It is their sacred temple!
But man it was funny.

Cache was very happy about his choice of clothing when he saw that we were going to a "ninja house."

This is Cache's souvenir he bought from a guy on the street with about 3.5 teeth.

He said he made it out of

cow bone and then blackened it with tea. I was really impressed with his skills.

Next stop Shark's cove snorkeling and Motsumoto's famous shaved ice.

No snorkeling for me because of my stinking cut foot. I just read and took pictures.

Still good.

I can totally see why these are famous. They were so tasty. I ordered mine with ice cream on the bottom, but choose to skip the beans?

Naomi wanted "pink rrraaainbow." Cache just wanted Bronco colors. Both very predictable.

I ordered every tropical flavor I could: coconut cream, pineapple cream, pina colada and mango.

Devin ordered some boring pre made one. Ha. Naomi's was best. For next time we'll have to remember.

Trip back home.

These trees.

Preety.

Stopped off for a cold cut coconut drink and some fried bananas.

OH so so so good.

There is no way to ever capture the beauty of Hawaii on camera. But I would love to go back and try.

So many pictures in my head that I didn't take.

We'll just forget the rest of the stuck in traffic stuff. But remember... "Bob the builder is on track break! Sharks are on track break! The whole world is on track break!" A joke that lasted all day with our 4 kids and Devin and Dylan.
Sarah and I were just thankful the men took care of the kids in the back! We both get car sick and are bossy so we might as well take charge. (Right Sara?,, ha.)
Made it back to shower and go walk and find some dinner. I had to take pictures of Naomi's outfits, because I planned them all out you know. She was like my little Hawaiian dress up doll.

Day 4 over.

Hawaii Day 3

2011-12-18T00:47:00.006-07:00

Sea life Park and evening at the beach.

Monday we all went to sea life park.

We saw giant sea turtles.

Dolphins.

Sea lion show.

Cache requested this picture of us by the Tiki.

He loved Tiki's the whole week.

We also saw amazing scenery here.

I guess this is where Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed.

I'll have to watch and see!

Bus trip there. Guess who claimed Grandpa again?

These two cute girls.

Watching giant manta ray "ballet."

All these cute nieces of mine.
A couple not pictured. They all bought little matching Hawaiian dresses. I didn't get picture of them all wearing them. Dar nit.

Devin picked me another flower.

Here I am looking off into the distance looking serious, as directed.

See how my eyebrows are going blonde? Wierd huh.

Me and the tree. Also trying to capture that rock.

Sea Lion Show!

Julie said one of the highlights was just seeing the expressions and reactions of her children's faces at different things we did.
I could NOT agree MORE.

Lunch Time.

Notice the sparkle in Cache's eye?

Little did I know it was from Uncle Pat teaching him and encouraging him to the loudest burps possible.

Our dinner table still hasn't recovered from this lunch.

Uncle Pat is a superb teacher.

Baby Corinne wore a palm tree pony all week.
Very appropriate.

Look how happy. All the pictures of Janie in Hawaii she is just beaming with joy. Makes me so happy to look at them. Something you just can't fake.

Klora and Julie swam with the dolphins.
so so fun!

They are such amazing animals!
My favorite.

The whole family.

Devin and I got run off this beach at lunchtime.
The lifeguard took one look at us and said this is only for strong swimmers. HA! Actually no children aloud it's just too dangerous.
Adults can't even swim unless they have flippers.
These boogie boarders were AAAAWESOME.

By the time we got home Devin was going CRAZY for the beach.
So we headed.

And finally my boy was happy.

All the cousins came too!
Sweet days just playin in the waves were the neatest
funnest times of the trip.
Just all together. Having fun. Laughing. In paradise.
Could not be closer to heaven.

Little miss palm tree.

Cache got cold with the setting sun and wanted a sand blanket.

I gashed my foot open on the coral reef. OH mylanta did it hurt bad. (Luckily we have a foot surgeon in the family) And had to wear Devin running shoes for much of the rest of the trip. There goes cute outfits in Hawaii!

Did I mention Heaven?

Even in heaven, Naomi will find her pout.

Day 3 over.
The sun set around 5 each night. So we would spend the evenings strolling the shops and restaurants on Waikiki beach.
With 30 somethin of us, we always bumped into eachother to check
out what we were eating or buying.
It was fun.

Hawaii-Day Two

2011-12-08T21:38:00.001-07:00

Boogie boarding and church on this day.

Cache man. Rockin the Hawaiian shirt.

Actually this shirt is my Bro Ben's shirt from Tahiti.

Close enough.

Hawaii is everything you would think it would be.

Lovely.

We ate coconut and mango yogurt, pineapple, papaya, banana bread and mi so soup for breakfast each morning. OH and Lunch many a day too. Did I mention I gained 14.9 pounds in one week?

14.9 pounds of heaven!

Yeah. It was all banana bread.

And sushi.

And ice cream.

And coconut banana butter.

And sweet pork.

with rice.

And maybe one or two or SEVEN from chocolate& toffee covered macadamia nuts.

Did you know that in Hawaii they eat a lot the same things we do, just add grilled pineapple, and avocado?

I ordered that extra on all my dishes BEFORE I went to Hawaii.

So yes it was worth every single pound. :)

During breakfast, which was outside of course, we were serenaded by song and dance.

I tried to take a picture one time. The dancer was SO pretty and such a beautiful dancer.

But I guess my pineapple was too tasty to try for a better one.

I love it when you go somewhere and the natural wildlife is

completely different from anything you've seen or are use too.

Then you KNOW you are in a new place.

This guy tried to steal our food each morning.

The first morning Cache saw this guy on our balcony and said: "A cardinal! Are we in Missouri?"
I guess flying in at night, confused him.
No not a Cardinal and not Missouri Cache. Not even close.

Walking to catch the bus to church.

Molly and Nay pulling Grandpa along.(Yeah right! He is just as much kid as them.)

Naomi attached herself to Grandpa and stayed there all week.

Devin picked me a flower off the ground for my hair. Okay he picked it out of a tree. Did I ever tell you about in college when Devin often would pick me tulips?

Out of a pot?

That were planted?!!!

He still doesn't get why this was not okay. But I have a man that likes to pick me flowers.

Lucky me.

Whether it's legal or not.

He even mailed me dried flowers with his letters from Brazil when he was on his mission.

Anyway.

Then he wanted to take my picture.

Everytime Devin wants to take a picture of Just me,
It makes me feel like this.

Ner Der.

Walking around Honolulu with 20 plus people

trying to find the right bust stop.

Is fun.

Uncle Pat is fun too.

On the bus this little old lady leaned over to me and in her shaky voice:

"All these children are dressed so nicely, it's just wonderful."

And all the little cousins were so cute in their Hawaiian dresses and flowers in their hair.

I think in all their were 20 grand kids on this trip. :)

We made it.

Church there is just like here and anywhere I've been to church except:

Anytime someone gets up.... "Aloha brother's and sisters!"

And then everyone cheerfully answers back "AAALOOHA!"

Also no hallways. It's mostly outside. with a garden in the middle.

And in Relief society they gave us knitted leigh's out of yarn to welcome us.

And kiss our cheeks just like my Grandma does everytime she sees us.

I've always loved this custom.

It's so loving.

And men wear ~~skirts~~ I mean lava lava's.

I almost bought my brother Joey one.

And they have this incredible tree.

We started to worry that we might be defiling their sacred tree.

But then we remembered they are the same religion as us.

We don't worship trees.

But we stopped anyway.

Then we had a lovely Hawaiian dinner with the whole family.

And waited for Angie and Julie and company to fly in making the family whole.

Minus the 3 baby boys that got left home.

Day 2 over.

Day One-Hawaii

2011-12-06T21:05:00.008-07:00

Getting there.

I had forgotten what it was like to travel with Naomi.

Dejavu?

The very END of this post will clear that up.

She so crazy.

Cache is easy pie.

He colored for hours and watched napolean dynamite on Devin' ipod over and over and over.

(It's the only video on there.)

He also ordered extra soda from the flight attendant every chance he could.

Reminded me of something my cousin Parker would have done. :)

Switched planes in Seattle airport....

And so begins seven days of Cache worshiping cousin Taivan and Noah and despising parents for even 5 minutes of time with us and away from them.

Now onto the big plane and ready for the next 6 hours.

AAAAALOOHA!

We made it.

Naomi adds so much color to our life and pictures.

I really have great sister in-laws.

Travel Buddies. Dylan, Sara and Boyzz.
(They left baby Jack at home.)

Our Hotel room.

At this point I am still missing and anxious about being separated from Gage.
But that didn't last long. Sorry future grown up Gage reading this.
We love you, but glad we left you! You were spoiled at Grandma's and Aunt Sarah's, even more that I spoil you!

Little did I know leaving him with Grandma Colette for a week was the best thing EVER.

He now sleeps incredible and loves his bed.

My mother's magic sometimes...

Thank you Mom!

Gage update for my journaling:
We left a baby in Oregon and got back a toddler.

1.Sweet baby to feisty walker.

2. He needs his accessories and will wear his coat and shoes ALL DAY. I have to hide them from him!

3.His first official word: besides dadda is: "Thank you!"

(Comes out "Dee doo.")

Aren't I such a great parent to raise such a grateful child? ;)

Also: "uh Oh." He got from Aunt Sarah.

This truly gives me the biggest kick to have him walk up to me with his load of stuff and toss them on my lap and say "DEE DOO."

He says 'dee doo' if you give him something or put on his shoes for him.

Often I hear crying, next I'll hear his, labored chubby- kid breathing, coming down the hall and sure enough he's got his shoe in his hand and holds it up for me whining. Then I put it on... "dee doo," and runs off.

I LOVE this.

4.He also likes to find Cache's Bronco hat,

put it on his head.

Then he'll go find Cache and follow him around till Cache notices and says something to him, then he'll get this big proud smile on his face,throw it down and run away. It's so funny!

Since he is such a good sleeper and was forced by our trip to give up his beloved nursing, we moved him in with Cache. They share a dresser too. I love it. They both like it too. And Devin and I reaally like reading in bed again, and using an alarm clock.

So anyway, I got distracted.

Day ONE Hawaii down.

6 more to go. (When I get to it.)

2011-12-01T11:45:00.007-07:00

The Day has finally arrived...

It is my husband's birthday.

The funniest and punniest man in the world's(at least my world) birthday.

We are celebrating with Birthday Breakfast Burritos instead of pancakes.

A peanut butter chocolate cheesecake with peanut butter frosting and peanut butter chocolate glaze,

decorated with Reese's peanut butter cups.

A new twist to his traditional birthday cheesecake.

Recipe click here.

My gift to Devin is moving the baby out of our room.

Also a new shirt to wear to work today.

Birthday collage!

Dear Birthday Boy Devin,

2011. Another year of life under your belt. I dare say this my have been the most stress full year in your 29 of existing. Watching you go through this has been hard but good, and yet I believe much harder years will come in our future. They say put a man under stress and see what he is really made of. This year I've seen a bit more of who you are. A sober mind and slow to anger. In direct contrast the fire that lit under my seat at any injustice to come our way, you are the buffer, slow to judge anyone, or any situation with haste. You react exactly opposite how I would or how I would expect anyone to in many situations. It always floors me. You treat people with love and hope and encouragement, when people disappoint or do you an injustice I see sadness in you when I would expect anger and cynical judgment. We've had some hard big decisions and even more tiny little decisions to make this year. We didn't always make the best choices. I want to cringe and die, you say: "Welp, let's move on." And this quality is just another chord around my heart, tying me to you.
Life is... life. And I'd say we are a normal couple with normal issues, but every time I see a picture of you, I want to reach in and grab you and yell I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I love you so much Devin!

Sorry to be so mushy, sentimental and wordy.
I'm working on not being so much of those things.
If I wasn't all those things this would be the more comfortable and yet still honest letter from me to you.

Dear Devin,
You make me happy.
So very happy.
All the time.
And I like the way you dance.

From, Amie.

Sean Connery pose ready go:

Happy Birthday babe.

You're da best!

***

Update. The rest of the day.

Birthday Dinner. Spaghetti and Salad.

And by spaghetti I mean noodles and sauce.

We are fancy around here like that.

This cake is the richest thing ever ever ever.

Cache says: "It's so rich! It's like 500 dollars!"

Dance Dance Dance

2011-11-30T21:24:00.000-07:00

Naomi is doing dance again.

Acts shy even though she's not.

One mention of a candy cane,(yes bribe) and she shakes those hips like crazy.

This is pretty much what he does the whole time.

Him and his hat.

He picked it out with Grandma Colette. Like grabbed it and wouldn't let her put it back.

She tried to put different ones on his head, but he wouldn't let her. He wanted THIS hat.

And guess what he brings to me all day? This hat.

Broseph!

2011-11-28T22:20:00.004-07:00

He's all growed up.

Getting his Eagle scout and huggin his mommy.

I'm proud of my little brother. He is such a good, happy ~~boy,~~ man!

Joey needed a last minute picture for the year book.
I would never take someone's senior pics. That would kill me.

He needs to have them taken by THIS girl. (She is from Baker and amazing!)

We took these in my parents yard.

Even though they are super fuzzy, I like em. Handsome Joe.

Hawaii pictures coming soon.

I took 906 of them. WATCH OUT.

2011-11-19T10:04:00.003-07:00

After an outing last night, I went to check on the sleeping little ones.

Found this on Cache's door.

Isn't that nice of him to draw a picture of his sister?

Even if he did circle it and draw an X through her face.

Every time she nears his room today he points at the sign.

"NO Naomi's aloud." He is not joking.

He is also not joking about his outfit choice to for the air plane:

I can't figure out where he found this shirt! But he keeps it on a hanger and has been saving it just for this trip. I've tried to get rid of it 2 times and he spotted it both times in the give away pile.

I am sorta glad he did. I laugh everytime I look at him.

Also of note, this is the only thing he is bringing in his nap sack for a 6 hour plane ride.

This will help him he says to know which animals in the sea to play with and which ones to run from.

They are either funnier these past couple days or maaaybe I might just be in a good mood heaven knows why....

2011-11-18T01:59:00.002-07:00

Most of the day I walk around the house, constantly picking up. I do mean constantly. This causes me to get frustrated at the things these little people that live here are leaving behind. Especially the trails of the one we call Naomi. But somedays, I eat just the right thing for breakfast and on those days, I walk around laughing all day.

She was working so hard at the table with a marker and notepad.

Yelled at the baby who was buckled across the room in his highchair.

"Don't touch me peeepo!"(paper)

Later, I noticed that every single cupboard and door were labeled.

For some reason this task was very important in her mind.

I wonder if God laughs at us when we think certain tasks are super dooper important and he knows they are pointless.

This next suprise in the fruit basket got me right in the funny bone:

Gage isn't to be left out. Daily I put on my rainboots to check the mail, only to have to take them off and empty out cars,

rocks, cheerios and whatever else he thinks belong in rainboots.

This Thanksgiving I will be thankful that my life is full of surprises.

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

I love being a Pit stop

2011-11-16T21:10:00.001-07:00

So I sorta avoid posts about friends because I don't want anyone to think I'm rubbing my friendship in someone else's face. But these days our time with dear friends comes far and few in between and so it's such a treat when it comes.

Brodericks came through town. Yay for house guests!

The kids took no time at all, and warmed right back up to where they left off in St Louis....

Today in Idaho:

I couldn't believe when the next morning they came running out just like this.

Superman and Batman. Just like old days. Cache hasn't been Superman since we left.

Cache use to call these guys his brothers. He thought they were!

Now Cache and Sky each have real brothers. I got to meet new baby Kien.

It is very convenient that our 3 children are twin ages and gender. I didn't get pictures of the two baby boys together because they were both sick and slept a lot.

When we all graduated. These baby girls were calling each other: "Nay Nay" and "La La."

Weren't they so cute?

Naomi pointing with her li'l finger...

Still cute today in Idaho with their babies and coloring.

Some of our last days in "The Hood."
On these streets and in these houses, friends became family.

There is something so comfortable about old friends.

I certainly met some choice friends in St. Louis. Summer is one of them. One of those people that has influenced my life so much just by meeting her. Watching the way these girls(both my nieghbors.) approached life made me realize that I had not been tasting all the goodness life had to offer. There was so much more of real substance found in nature, in food, in literature and in relationships. They enriched my life in every way! Someone above knew I needed to meet Summer. A pure soul. A true friend. Because of her I make homemade soups, I employ essential oils when kids are sick, I play dress up with my kids, I make homemade salad dressings and relish in whole foods. Because of her I read my children novels that are full of people with character and integrity. I try harder to be like her and never say a negative word about another.(Key word is try.) I always felt so safe being her friend.
I try harder to forgive, like she does. Dinner has become a daily priority, a token of love to welcome home my hard working husband, and let us all be nourished by good healthy food, and calm family time to be enriched both body and spirit. If I tried till the day I die, (and I will), I still will not be as good as a friend as this gal, a builder, constantly giving sincere compliments and encouragement. Seeing only the good in people and focusing on it. I could go on and on. Her influence has been such a blessing to our home, to my soul.

LUCKY YOU, the next person who gets her as a neighbor down in AZ.
And lucky for us to be a pit stop and enjoy the Brodericks for a night.

Cache Turns Six.

2011-11-02T21:26:00.004-06:00

Happy Happy Birthday Cache!

Our eldest child turned a whoppin six entire years old.

At one point 6 seemed so far away to me.

So far away, that I promised a lot of things: "When your 6 or something."

Some of these things that Cache had not forgotten but I had were:

Chewing gum again(after he put it in his sisters hair.)

Being able to walk in a parking lot without holding my hand.

Eating with regular dishes instead of the: "Baby plastic ones."

He has been asking hourly for gum since the day BEFORE his birthday. "I'm almost six so...." I just change the subject. Then he got some as a present. Aaand I found a bit on the carpet. So now I changed it till he's seven.

The parking lot...he may not hold my hand, but I make him hold my coat, or cart or put him in charge of holding Naomi's hand. Which is fine because I'm sorta running out of hands to hold all the hands that need holding. And finally he is has decided that the colorful kid plates are in the end cooler than the grown up plates. But silverware... grown up ones are better. :)

Cache decided on a Bronco's Birthday. We filled his room with Balloons to wake up to in the morning. He wasn't ammused as we thought he would be.

He got to pick out a fun cereal for his Birthday. And we made Birthday pancake stack of course.

Devin had a pretty crazy busy day, and none of us could wait anyway, so we let Cache open all his presents before school. He got a sweet jacket, headphones(he calls them Skull Candy but they definately are not), a car, and bronoco's tickets! I felt like his gifts were fit for a teenager instead of my little boy. But it made for one excited birthday boy.

We can't actually get the tickets to this game yet. So I made some fake ones on photoshop. Now lets pray the tickets come through!

He has started a "Bronco's drawer" where he is collecting all things Bronco colors to wear at the game and also made several signs to hold up at the game. Oh I forgot to post pictures of our pumpkins this year before Halloween. Cache carved a....

Bronco if you couldn't tell.

Cache pointed out it's even Bronco colors! So we used it for a birthday party decoration.

After school we had ourselves a little Bronco party.

Cache's request we had a sub sandwich for dinner, with carrots from Grandma Orton's garden.

And Ovaltine. :)

Cache got to wear this crown at school all day.

Sarah had me all trained on how to make a cool looking Bronco on his cake. Went the store to pick out the supplies. Stopped by the bakery to see if they had any cool little things to add to the cake. The baker brought out this not cute- at- all tie- dye cake, looked Cache in eye and said: "This looks like a pretty great Bronco cake to me if I ever saw one." Convinced Cache on the spot. I immediately told the baker, NO thanks, we had something else in mind, and led a pouting Cache back to pick out frosting colors. But alas, I kept lecturing myself: "My happiness or Cache's?" We went with Cache's happiness. AND it actually ended up looking cuter at home after I realized I could go to bed instead of staying up all night making a cake.

I was a much nicer mother of the Birthday boy the next day.

Cache has the best primary teacher. She is just awesome with a room full of rowdy 6 year old boys. (Not a common quality.) She brought over Cache a birthday gift of FLARP and silly string. Definitely knows boys!

Played some football in the backyard for the activity. When Devin got off of work we took him to Jump Time. It's an indoor trampoline gym that Cache likes a lot. And that was his special day!

Happy, Happy Birthday

Cache Dearest.

And now a letter to my boy.

Dearest Cache, Thank you for being a part of our life. The biggest part. Not that you had a choice, but maybe you did. We love the passion you have for life. You are bashful, shy in crowds, strong willed, a leader, (at this point some may call you an instigator.) You love love love other kids and value friendships deeply. I already see you will be a hard worker. You often see my needs or the needs of another, and jump to help out. A door that needs opening, bags that need carrying, a baby that needs distracting so his mom can go to the bathroom, and you run to do it. "I got it!" I often hear. You always know what the weather will be because you watch the news in the morning and if you wake up late, you check the weather on the computer. You've done this since you could talk. I love this quirk about you. You have so many natural gifts, I am excited to see which ones you chase after. Which ones that you'll choose to develop. A forgiving heart, when Mom and Dad are figuring out this parenting thing. You do and always have loved to laugh. I'll never ever get tired the way you look your baby brother. You just completely adore that brother of yours. You are so proud of him. I don't even think you know you are smiling but you do every time he is near.

You are the typical knock your self in the head, while making farting noises, and laughing at mention of all body parts, six year old boy, but you are anything but typical to us. You are our heart Cache. You are our joy. From the very tiniest to the largest, YOU are wrapped in every single thought and decision we make in our lives. Birthdays often come with gifts Cache, and you are truly our gift. We've always felt that way about you. We felt that we were not just first time parents, but that we were trusted with someone extra ordinary, extra special. And you are. Happy Birthday our dear boy.

We love you forever and ever.

2011-10-31T14:47:00.228-06:00

Halloween 2011

Halloween was great and no major costume meltdowns. We got Naomi's princess costume all put together/bought/searched for and she decided that her witch costume from last year wasn't as itchy as she had cried so many times about. She put it on.. and there you go.

Saturday : Ward trunk OR treat and chile cook off.

I made white bean chile. True to Amie fashion... Burnt it.

Still tasted just fine. It didn't win .

Frazzled from the end of the day rush, getting babysitting kids out the door, burning chili and Naomi's

costume change... this was the only group picture we got.

I wanted to retake them this weekend in some pretty leaves in pretty light.

NOT happening. But I can picture it in my mind. It would be so cute.

Gage is the Happiest little trick or Treater that ever did live.

He loved his costume and was so excited the whole time getting ready.

I got after him to put his hat back on. Joking of course.

And he put it back on HIMSELF.

Oh we laughed and laughed.

Next up. "The PrinTHess cowboy witch."

I'm so glad Cache decided to be a fighter jet pilot.

I had no idea how I was going to make a Perry the platypus costume.

At the actual party:

Devin puts more effort/into ACTING the part than dressing the part.

I really love this man on Halloween. It is where the stark differences in our personality come out.

I wouldn't even roll play if forced too and don't believe I can speak in any accent. Devin will full on act. Just for fun. At home he speaks in an accent more than he doesn't. Always different..

Which is why I was disappointed the Cars salesman idea didn't work out.

He was planning on selling stuff to people all night in a Texan accent. And would have.

He also likes to sneakily match me when we go places. It's annoying and endearing at the same time.

This year I had been planning for a while to be witch. Sooo Devin kept saying he was going to be a

"Man witch." Or a "man which." I wasn't sure. But he ended up making a good cross between them both.

During the evening Devin offered rides. He would get on his broom and encourage everyone to "Hop on!"

Most of all me.

I really love this man. He is my biggest blessing.

Sweet baby. Ate more chili and rolls than any of us.

This little purse she insisted on trick or treating with, and insisted it be zipped close between every trunk.

Devin was her "overflow." Or she would throw it on the ground.

She likes candy but freely gives it away.

Not like her brothers. Or parents. :)

Trick or treating, fit right up Nay's alley.

Collecting anything and everything and putting it in a purse.

Fun NIGHT!

{Monday }

Hallows EVE.

A "spoooky" Halloween dinner with all the cousins!

Me and my fellow witchy in law Sara.

We went trick or treating at a retirement home.

(Nice and warm!)

All of Julie's kids recited scary poems. Even little Krista! So good.

We tried to hit up a few houses, but the kids were cold and scared of the decorations!

So we went to about 5 and went home. It was just right.
Twas a happy Halloween.

A few more Halloween portraits.

Above a li'l one I watch. She is so gorgeous.

Below: Nay chose to wear princess shoes and refused ONE of her socks.

Gage would laugh and laugh every time we put his hat on. He is also mastering walking now! (Not pooping in this picture.) And mysteriously got dressed in the wrong overalls this night.

Since I'm crying, I thought you guys might as well too.

2011-10-27T16:56:00.002-06:00

A good happy cry!

Life really can be beautiful.

No matter what comes.

2011-10-12T22:13:00.001-06:00

Dylan and Sara gave us some Linder farm tickets. Thank you much guyz!

We got their a bit late and since we hadn't planned on going, we weren't really

dressed for the occassion. Time of year to keep an extra coat and blanket in the car!

We went on a hay ride to pick a punkin.

But we already had too many of our own little punkins taking up our arms to haul one out of the field

and such. So we'll save that for next year, and settle for a grocery store pumpkin.

The corn pit was the favorite activity.

Devin may buy me a new camera lens just to save my soul.

I got soooo mad at my little old camera at the pumpkin patch...

It was way cuter than this blasted camera would capture.

OH me OH my I took a bagillion fuzzy pictures.

We tried the corn maze.

But Nay and I...

Well, we're just girls. I no longer pretend otherwise.

We turned around after about 1 minute and let the boyz finish.

We went and found a nice chair by the fire.

And wished someone would stand in line and buy us hot cider and apple fritters...

We were just too cold.

Love the Fall! (But terribly miss St. Louis gorgeous pumpkin patches...and leaves.)

Before I leave I have to record the funniest thing that happened that day.

Devin worked at a health fair all day and we went to visit him.

As I mentioned we ran into Dylan and Sara(Devin's bro and wife) at the fair... Getting flu shots.

Chatted and then left to find Devin and let them get back to that. Their 3 boys looked a little nervous.

We got to the end of the big old gym looking for Devin when we hear this:

" AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

(continuous screaming/yell getting closer and closer to us.)

Then Cache looks at me: "That's NOAH!" Sure enough, Noah goes scccrreaming by, running as fast as he can in the OPPOSITE direction of the flu shot table.

And then of course came Sarah running by. I felt bad but I laughed so hard hearing Noah's yelling for the next WHILE going up and down each isle. Oh that was so funny.

Hope they thought it was too.

Anyway, love this time of year. We've been luring out kids out of bed in the morning with a warm bath
Mornings are chilly and dark now and for some reason they can't resist a tub full of water :) And then we've putting them to bed with a cup of fresh warm apple cider.

{H A P P Y F A L L !}

The hair cut and Broken camera

2011-10-03T15:07:00.000-06:00

I had a couple sad things happen this week.

First off, my camera lens broke. Just broke. A week ago, my big lens did get dropped by a certain little boy who was trying to take pictures of Ants. But he had permission, and it was an accident.

I had a back up lens so stuck that one on and life was fine.

But the back up lens just stopped working and is visibly broken inside.

Now I am camera less until I can afford a new lens.

Whoa is me. Hard life huh? :)
I am a bit embarrassed just how deeply sad this makes me. My camera
makes every day mundane tasks of diapers, dishes, same routine over and over come alive and seem magical to me. But when I can't take a picture of it...

I sorta feel like a lost my right hand. And all the fingers on my left too.

And possibly a toe or two. Maybe part of an eye..

.These pics are from my very old point and shoot camera.

So frustrating and blurry 95% of the time. If it even turns on.

Wine wine wine.

As sad is that is for me, I shed a lot more tears over this next event.

The dreaded sibling Hair cut.

Seriously almost passed out.
Bangs chopped and everything.

It was bound to happen.

Still I was unprepared and bawled on the spot.

Causing Naomi to burst into tears and run and hide.
She buried her head in a blanket and wouldn't come out till Devin got home and he was able to coax her out. She just kept crying: "I don't have very much hair anymore!"
It was extremely dramatic around here.

He did this with just baby scissors!

My visiting teacher stopped by during the crying session.

She was heaven sent. She promised me she had seen way worse.

And later that night returned with new bows and a cute flower head band.

Which did help.

Oh yah Naomi found the purple dress/uniform again.

My mom told me not to kill Cache. Or even yell at him. All I had said to him, in a whipser was

"Go to your room. "

He must have felt the severity of his actions. Or the severity of the SHOCK inside of me... He didn't come out for an hour. Then I sent him back.

My mom gave me the idea that he needed to do extra chores for money to pay for her new haircut.

This is working since Cache puts a lot of value on the contents of his piggy bank.

So we got her a hair cut.

And this is the end product. She looks a lot younger.

And since she always ripped her hair out 5 seconds after I fixed it before, she may even look

nicer. And now you can always see her pretty face.

OH what a week.

Bronco nation, Baby Lily.

2011-09-29T13:21:00.004-06:00

Football season is upon us.

Living in Bronco nation is different from

living in Cardinal land.(St. Louis.)

I do love how sports bring together a community, and we will forever be

Cardinal fans now. But Bronco nation...

is crazy! If you dare go out before a game, everyone and their baby and their dog is DECKED out

along with the 10 flags they have flying from their trucks. And the lines and lines are forever long buying food for the games. I love it. I love the energy of it.

I'm not a bronco fan YET, but I'm warming up. We miss going to the BYU games.

Then if you go shopping during a game... it is literally a ghost town. Even the workers at Old Navy were

GONE, somewhere in the back watching the game.

It was the first home game, and we needed some exploring time so we went down town. Cache wanted to see the stadium. It was a sea of orange and blue.

Cache's heart was broken when we said their was no way we could go to the game.

We went and found a new park to explore downtown boise(Albertson's park) and the boyz got their game on.

There's not much more attractive in my book than a man playin with his kids.
Especially if that man is already attractive. :)

Okay throwing babies is not attractive.

But this is my 3rd child. He's been doing it this whole time.

I'm getting use to it.

Almost.

There was this big old pond full of lily pads.

Pretty neat.

I love Gage's finger in his mouth.

Very in love with this baby.

No I couldn't decide on pictures. Don't judge me.

Gage's finger in his mouth again... above

I like my hair in the one below. Gives the illusion of not frizzy.

Cache is actually hugging me. Love that.

This is a picture of the biggest ponderosa in idaho...very interesting.

All my blue eyed babies.

Very pretty park don't you think?

We ended the weekend with Miss Lily Anne's baby blessing.

So special. The Barretts really have become family over these many years.

Lily is such a sweet little girl.

I'm excited to see her grow up and become a beauty like her mommy.

Mckay and Naomi below...Naomi played Kitty wrangler

the whole time. She just adores animals. Once again proving that we shoulda named her

Barbara Jane.(After her grandmother who loves animals.)

T'was a lovely weekend.

29 and feelin fine.

2011-09-28T14:57:00.001-06:00

Welp Ben pointed out that today is the first day of my last year of being in my 20's.

Devin made me a butterfinger icecream cake and surprised me that morning with my first wool coat.

He is sneaky and got it for me on the way home from work.

He got a coat for me last christmas but it was way too big and since then we've been looking for the perfect coat.

This one caught my eye but they again didn't have my size...

He found my size in another store, had them hold it for my birthday.

I felt loved.

My mom got me a SHARK floor steamer.

Watch out Germs.

Who knew steam cleaned tile would make a gal so happy?

I guess my mom did.

I may have expressed doubt that Devin made the cake right, because his methods were... unique.

But then we cut into and Devin was hootin and hollering.. "Don't count me out Girl! Don't count me out!" Haha. It looked and tasted delish.

Red lobster gift card from one of his patients ;)

We planned to go out, but our weekly duties wore us out,(And it took us 2 hours to clean the house) So we changed plans,put the kids to bed REALLY early and ordered in.
Coconut shrimp and mango sauce... oh yes.

Cache acted totally betrayed when he found the red lobster wet nap on the counter

the next morning. It's his favorite restaurant if you didn't know.

We may have had to holler: "get back in bed!" half of dinner, but eating in sweat pants was was worth it.

I pretended like it was my birthday all week laxing on some of my duties, and may have not watched these guys close enough...

Here they are CAUGHT in undies again, making peanut butter and sprinkle sandwiches...

Oops.

I thought it was very original.

Why are Kids so crrrazy about sprinkles?

Ward campout and dog days of Summer.

2011-09-27T14:22:00.000-06:00

We spent Naomi's real birthday at a ward campout.

The food was great. Especially those scones.

We've got some professional campers in our ward.

And our tummies benefited.

Didn't sleep too bad. And got to drive through a really pretty valley.

I long for wide open spaces. For reals.

Weekend drives will have to do for now.

It's in my bones.

This girl just kills me.

We are SOO excited for, football season, leaves, halloween, apple cider, crisp autumn walks, pumpkins

candy corn, homemade SOUPS and rainy days. I mean SO excited... but

we are having mixed feelings when it comes to letting go of our warm evenings.

The kids even seem to know that their backyard undwear adventures are coming to a close and

spend a lot of time out there. We drive everywhere with the windows down. And Devin and I often put the kids to bed and then go lay in the back yard and ~~make out ,~~ I mean talk.

I caught Cache out the back window flexing for Gage...

I'm so glad I have my girl, because my boys are... VERY boy.

Framing this one for their room.

2011-09-24T12:20:00.014-06:00

The double Birthday party!

This is why I have been putting off posting the party. There's a million pictures and I can't pick from them! It was a lovely, but hotter and buggier than wished evening at Eagle island. I picked an evening where I thought no one would be there. And I was right. It was like our own private park. Swwweeet. We had ourselves a quiet little family party. I thought about having a big old party with lots of their friends but when I throw a party I stress about if everyone is enjoying themselves, not feeling put out yada yada yada and I end up focusing on the guests and don't get to enjoy my babies. So family it was and family it will be until they demand otherwise. If family gets offended they still have to love me. Makes it easier for me to not stress. ( But didn't totally work.)
Anyway. I just absolutely love the way the cakes turned out. My kids will probably never have this nice of cakes again in their lives. Unless Aunt Sarah just happens to be in town again! I picked the cake themes from the their favorite bedtime song.

Nay of course loves "tinko tinko." And we sing it daily.

My two Birthday babies. 2 years and 4 days apart.

Gage is our Sunshine boy.

Sarah tried to make the sun look like Gage's fat smiling head. I thought of making him a hat that made his head look like a giant sun. HA. never got to it.

Gage Man. He was tired and just wanted the candy. So no cheesy smiles.

Plus Aunt Sarah has got an Iron grip on his diaper ducking behind him and he didn't think

that was very cool.

The Activity was swimming and eating.

A boat full of Babies.

Time to cut the cake!

Devin and were reminiscing about Cache as a one year old.

We gave him the cake and then our mom's called.

While we were talking, he ate the ENTIRE cake and it was a normal size birthday cake.

Gage wasn't quite as aggressive.

I Love those hands

Some of the details:
Suns and stars to go with the hot dogs, chips and Aunt Julie's homemade salsa from her Garden!
It's my fav salsa. I ate all the left overs myself that night at home.
(Aunt Sara Orton's recipe.)

This was sorta similar to ones I found on etsy for $30 plus.
I made it one photoshop for free. And was beaming with pride at my accomplishment.
I made some of the other signs on photshop too. But this was my favorite.

A blue little sign I didn't take a picture of said: "You are what happened when we wished upon a star."
Which is true of Naomi. We had to wait and wait for her. And I wished on a star more than once for a baby during that time. And I now see all the wisdom in the timing of this girl of ours. I think Heavenly father needed me to have that experience so when I throw my hands up daily in total exasperation with this girl, he could say.."well you asked for it."
She is unbelievably funny to me, but hands down adds more craziness to our life than any.
She demolishes everything and a quiet moment where we don't know where she is can quickly turn into the grossest situation you have ever experienced in your life.
Patience, patience, patience is the gift she is giving to us.
Patience and daily gut busting laughter.
We LOVE our girl.

Tangent sorry. Next:

Been wanting to make these for 3 years now.

I didn't take a picture of Nay's birthday banner.

I really am the world's most miserable sewer. But some things like these pennant banners are just worth it.

I loved how they turned out.

That's all the pictures I took of the extra details.

I'm kicking myself for not getting a picture of me and Devin and of my parents!

They are always so sneaky and I never get their picture.

We took pictures early thank goodness....

Darn heat!

The inside of the cake was pink. It was really cute and the girls all loved it.

I'm missed a picture of it. Dang.

My little sisters are truly amazing girls.
Sisters area blessing.
(That' goes for sister in laws too.)
Thank you so so much Sarah for the cakes.

Naomi was being absolutely ridiculous for pictures.

Like extra ridiculous. (Double chin and monster voice.)

I have about 100 pictures similar to this one:

More monster faces.

We tried some distractions...

Trying so hard to show the camera she is 3. Even the tongue helps a bit.

Trying so hard!

Almost got it there Nay...

Victory!

"I'm One!" (She tells everyone this.)

Thank goodness for a fast camera! I caught one cute smile.

Now I can live this year happy.

That's it for partay pictures.

Birthday post over.

Now on to planning Cache's party.

He wants a "Perry the platapus" cake Sarah...

Compare and contrast

2011-09-23T13:24:00.001-06:00

Naomi then..

newbie

11 months:

ONE year.

18 months:

2 Years old.

And Naomi now 3!

Gage one short year ago...

Gage NOW!

These just happen to be the only party hats we had around the house.

Turns out it was the same hat Cache wore on his 1st birthday..

I love how it emphasised both of their chin fat.

Cache 5 years ago:

Gage:

Naomi.

No hat.

Same cute chins.

I can't believe we've done this 3 times already!

what a fantastic little adventure It's been so far.

2011-09-21T22:26:00.008-06:00

This is Cache before school today.

notice his um... bling?

I was all like: "Who do you think you are Eminem?"

That just started a conversation about candy.

I told him boys don't usually wear necklaces.

He told me... oh boy are you ready for this?

"Mom, sometimes if your cool enough boys can wear whatever they want."

I sent him to school, sorta hoping someone would make fun him when he got there.

Nope. Came home still wearin it.

Oh well. Maybe he's right.

After all the first time I met his dad, he was wearing a maroon sweater and shorts and still I thought he was the best looking boy I had ever met! I was smitten.

Sometimes I get glimpses of this really good boy who's favorite book is Farmer boy(Laura Ingalls Wilder), Who for years now has LOVED the game of Chess, Who's favorite prophet is Joseph smith. He also loves Captain Moroni, and Abraham Lincoln. He tells me about Daniel and the lions den and how if he is obedient he'll be protected... Certainly knows more than we've ever taught him. But then, and this just makes me laugh. There is this boy who loves skulls on all clothes and shoes. Wears a hoodie like a gangsta 7 months out of the year. Oh and his favorite music video of all time? Chris Brown: yeah yeah yeah. Every day this summer and now every day after school during his snack.

I love it now too. Especially at 1:30.

Whatever happened to the little farmer boy I planned on raising?

Gage is ONE

2011-09-21T15:54:00.008-06:00

If you didn't know, September is Birthday month in our home.

Today is Gage's day!

So we started the day of course with...

Pancakes.

Dear Louie, Happy Birthday to our sweet li'l sunshine.

Never was there a loving baby than you.

Many that have spent enough time around you tell me that your spirit just

is extra sweet.

You may have inherited a quality your grandma Colette has: A calming presence.

Our Big, kind, sweet, happy soul.

You really do have the disposition of Whinnie the pooh.

And the tummy.

My goal through out your life will be to perserve this quality in you.

I hope you carry it with you your whole life!

I baby you more than any baby so far. You are one and your crib is still in my room!

The mother I was 6 years ago would have totally looked down on me now.

But we are happy together aren't we bud?

I started letting you get yourself to sleep just this week and you are doing great.

Tops 10 minutes. Usually 2.

Until now I rocked you to sleep 3 times a day.

You got two top teeth and a small peak of a bottom one today! But you two top toofers make you seem extra silly.

You are such a nursing baby and can't even figure out a sippy cup.

You LOVE your soft brown blankie.

And love love love to cuddle and lay your giant head on people, and

stuffed animals.

You love to find containters, empty boxes, bowls etc. and fill it with small things.

You chase me around the kitchen when I sweep and sit in my pile.

All the while smiling away.
I carry you everywhere under my left arm like a football or super man. If not, you just follow me and if I stop you are standing at my legs, smiling up at me. You like me, and I love it.
(Dad has been the favorite so far amongst Cache and Nay.)
Sometimes I even forget I'm carrying you, and will panick and start looking for you.
I'm that use to carrying you around, I don't even realize it.

Everything you say starts with a D.

Duh duh duh.

Except when I'm around you do say:

Ma Ma ma ma. (Always 4 times in a row.)

Going from 2 children to 3 when I think about it, was so crazy!

You came into our life during the most stressfull year of our entire life so far, and hopefully ever.

But looking back on it, it's certainly been the sweetest at home.

A lot of that is because of the smiles you've brought us.

Happy Birthday!

We will be going to "Old Mcdonalds" for happy meal dinner.

Since that's the rule around here: Fast food is only for Grandma's treats or birthdays oh and valentines sometimes..
I know boring, stingy mama. Your little body will thank me for it.

Maybe I'll get the double birthday party pics (we held last week) posted later tonight.

Round-Up in Boise

2011-09-19T15:38:00.005-06:00

If you live in Pendleton Oregon come mid September, school lets out for a week of Round-up. I looove it and one of these years we'll feel rested enough to begin taking our kids every year. My parents however, look at is as a golden opportunity to get the hay outta dere. Lucky for us they think we're funner than cowboys, bulls and fry bread!

Sarah came a few days early to make Naomi and Gage's Birthday cakes.

She is so talented and organized and patient.

And Pretty.

Here I am pretending to help.

I'll post the finish product later.(Awesome!!!!)

Sarah, Naomi and I took a girls only trip to the mall.

Naomi as usual went for the $200 plus highest, sparkliest, heals possible. Sarah is modeling one of Nay's picks. I didn't know Beiber made GIRL perfume. I took this picture for Devin.

He has Beiber fever. Dont ya Dev.

We had a PERFECT summer evening.

Sunday evening we went up to a state park near a reservoir and made pancakes.

It was completely empty but us. (Just how i like it.)

A storm blew in. ( Love that too.)

Warm breeze and a rainbow blessed the evening.

Gage and Uncle Joey.

I took this picture for Nick who is struggling through

officer training camp, and undoubtedly loves his Li'l wifey and baby boy

more than anything right now!

Danny was saying : "Rainbow!'

We all wanted a rainbow picture.

Do all kids go through this funny only for camera smile stage?

Here we were dying because Nay kept doing this pose and saying:

"Take a pitcher of dis Mom!"

It was a sweet evening.

Sam and his blankie

We attempted a family picture

I'm in love with that baby belly(Gage's not mine.)

That's a keeper.

We missed Ben and Cindy lou hoo on this evening especially. :)

So ya it was a good old time.

Dr. Devin worked on just about everyone. Fixed my dad's shoulder and helped Danny's food allergies.
Yay for no more ear infections!

It's so neat for me to see the results of his work.

Some may consider me a critic... But Devin truly has talent for what he does.

We also got to go to Roaring springs water park which was so fun.

I- hop before school on on Wednesday.

The birthday party of course.

And lots of good visiting and Mom's Taco salad.

My dad of course went to Cabelas and left me with some early birthday presents.

I was surprised how excited I was to get a cooler and camping gear!

I love it!

Now we can come back to this park and make pancakes on our own camp stove this fall.

Anyone want to join us?
Thanks for visiting mom and dad and boyzzz.

2011-09-16T16:20:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday sweet Naomi!

Happy Birthday to you!

Naomi is officially 3 today. We love her! She had her birthday party earlier this week.
I'll post those pictures later.

So this morning we kept it simple with seven stack mickey mouse pancakes.

The funniest part of taking this picture was her reaction to Cache sitting on the barstool next to her.

Cache: "Nay that's a bad smile."

Naomi: (scrunching up her face and yelling) "NO IT NOT Tash!"

Then turning back to me, tilt head and giving me this smile.

They did this 3 times. I was rolling.

She also got to open horsies from her Grandma Orton and a pink pony from her Uncle Pat(birthday buddies) She has been neighing all. day. long.

Happy Birthday Naomi.

You add so much color to our life!

You are very very loved.

** Cache just walked by and pointed at the picture and said "Nay that's a bad smile." Naomi is now crying. Que to get off the computer!

Dirty dash O' FUN!

2011-09-07T00:45:00.004-06:00

Yah. Funnest thing I've done in years.

This is my first race I've ever entered.
Turned out to be the perfect first race(as far as nerves go.)

I ran one mile one time 3 weeks before the race. 3 miles 5 days before and 6 miles race day.

Whoops.(I did lots of other workouts.)

Surprising not sore except the cuts on my legs from all the obstacles and mud tunnels/pits.

It was VERY uphill er up MOUNTAIN and grueling.
We did it in just about an hour.

It was exhilerating.
My friend Tessa talked me into the race 2 days before.
She may be the funnest person on the planet.
Seriously a hoot.

I can't wait for next year.
Who will join me?

I'll post more pictures when I get them.

A glimpse into her world

2011-09-07T00:26:00.000-06:00

Waking Naomi up to take Cache to school looked like this:

Can you even guess what Nay wants for her birthday?

"Purpo Ponies."

The last sound I hear coming from her room at night is neighing.

We can't go anywhere without loads of ponies. Ponies in pink purses.

She runs back inside 6 or 7 times to get the extra ponies that don't fit in the purses.

Then once she's in, she unloads all her ponies and places them all around her.

Then ALWAYS she drops one.

Once we arrive at our destination, the loading up of ALL the ponies begins.

Then I say NO toys in the store.

Then she always says "dust CHoo(just 2) otay mom?

Okay just two.

She can't count, and grabs 4.

Always.

They ALL bathe with her.

Today she informed me she loves puppies, printheses and ponies.

And oh does she loooove the real live puppies. She will chase them around parks, yelling and laughing "He likes me!" He likes me!" But the dog is running away. If she ever catches a dog she will "ooh and aah and sigh and kiss it.

She's a fun gal this Naomi of ours.

Fun gal.