Random Family Pic

We were all dressed up for church and we decided to get this quick picture of the family.

Honesty

Ah, let me be honest and frank. Most of this will come as no surprise to most of you but...I am not the best at updating my blog. Let me give you a couple excuses. #1 After getting up to date on all 4 of our scrapbooks I have gone on strike from taking pics, so I don't really have many to post :-) *but give me a shout out for doing all of my scrapbooks which were 2 years behind, all by myself

#2 I don't know how to put pics on my blog so Dallen has to do it and he has been really busy. Sure I could learn how to do it but then I couldn't have a great excuse right? Even if I did know how my computer has been acting up so I'd have to use Dallen's which is not an option (see above). #3 Primary program coming up -need I say anymore?

That being said, I will get Dallen to post a few pics today if I can.

We have been really busy since returning from our "vacation" in Idaho. There is no such thing as a vacation with young kids, not to mention way to many things to do and people to visit in such a short time. We loved being able to see some wonderful friends as well as spending some time with our family. The bad part is that now I remember what we are missing.

Both Brycen and Rylan started school so my day goes something like this:

Walk the 3/4 mile to school at 7:45

Walk the 3/4 mile home, get home my 8:45ish

run errands/clean the house until 10:40

Get Rylan at 10:45

Play at school for a bit

Make and eat lunch

kids nap

walk the 3/4 mile to get Brycen

walk the 3/4 mile home

make dinner

eat

scriptures

bedtime

Literally everyday this is what I do. After telling Dallen several days in a row he said, "wow, that sounds really boring, I am sorry" I said, "welcome to the life of an at home mom" Monotonous maybe, important definitely. I love what I do and I am thankful that I get to do it.

Watch for some pics

Misc Pictures

Brycen lost both front teeth

Rylan goggly eyes

Brycen goggly eyes

Us at the St. Patricks Day parade

Uncle Denver's Potato all the way in Wisconsin

6 am rise or shine

Our trip to chicago

No caption needed!!!

Taylie in all her spicy glory

Christin trying to be a "dentist"

Brycen, Rylan and Callie when she came to visit!

The Ricks girls

Rylan at his first Dental appointment, he loved it!

We went to the Downtown fireworks in Milwaukee with the kids on the 3rd with a bunch of people from our ward. A neat thing happened when the fireworks were going off. You'll see that the reflection on the tall apartment buildings of the fireworks was pretty neat.

quotables

Some funny things the boys have said lately:

Brycen-Look mom, mine's smack dam in the middle (referring to his Christmas stocking's placement on the mantle)

Me- what did you say?

Brycen- mine is smack dam in the middle

Me- where did you learn that

Brycen- my teacher at school says it

Me- (after making him say it a few more times and laughing hysterically) I think you mean smack dab in the middle

Brycen- oh

Brycen- Mom, Rylan is taking Jesus' name insane

Rylan- everything this kid says is so cute because he uses words in really weird ways. Instead of saying me too he says me either. He refers to himself as me, ie: "no me want to"

Me- Rylan, lets get ready to go to Andrew's house

Rylan- no me want to

Me- Why?

Rylan- Him talks weird, me no like weird things

Taylie- Still doesn't talk but still bosses everyone around very efficiently

I can do this...right?

Ah, nothing like a new calling to bring you to your knees right? Well, our Bishop mentioned that he wanted to meet with me and Dallen last week. We met with him on Sunday. We both already have callings but this time of year our ward does a lot of changing with many people leaving. We figured it was a joint calling since he asked to meet with both of us and we were excited about that. We chatted for a bit then he extended the call...to me...Primary President. I have never served in the primary before other than being a Nursery leader when we were first married. I don't know how things work in there. I guess I will soon. The Bishop asked Dallen if he could support me in this calling he said (very enthusiastically) absolutely, 100%. This would have meant more if I had known it was a vote of confidence, not a sigh of relief from him. (I have been teasing him that he would get put in the bishopric when we get a new one. I guess he feels pretty safe now) I had 3 days to submit my names for counselors. Luckily that came very easily. They sustained me on Sunday and I didn't notice any votes of opposition so that's a start right? I keep thinking, "I can't even get it right with my kids and now I have stewardship over all the kids in the ward, yikes". I am excited and grateful for the calling but to say that I am overwhelmed would be a huge understatement. It is such a huge job. I can do this...right?

The Pledge

Today while I was "reading" (napping) on the couch Brycen was busy having his quiet time. When I woke up this is what he had done. He learned the Pledge of Allegiance earlier this year and he loves writing and drawing. He is so smart and I thought this was soooo cute. Look at how he spells it all and squeezes it around the picture. My favorite is "gustus for al". Click on it to see it bigger, it is really adorable.

Happy 1st!

Her first bday just 3 days after her brother's it was party central at our house!

She did not like the frosting on her hands but did eat some of the cupcake.

A skeptical eye.

Sorry, I thought I fixed this but here she is opening presents.

Look at those ponies!!!

Happy Birthday!

Putting together Legos from Mom and Dad

Playing a game at the party with his buddies.

A beautifully decorated cupcake

Opening his scooter from grandma!!

Toboggan Ride

We took the boys to a Toboggan hill in Hales Corner today. At first it was very scary, but once we got the first run under our belts, it was a lot of fun. We got going about 30 mph, and the boys loved it. This is our third run of the day.

Taylie Walking

Just caught Taylie walking across the front room! Can't believe that she's to that stage! She is quite cute, by as her Dad I am bias!