What a Day, What a Week, What a Month!!

I have NO idea why I thought May would be a carefree month. I feel like I have been on some reality show where the idea is to film mothers running at full speed until they collapse.

But since yesterday was the last day of school I'm hoping that life calms down just a bit.

Don't get me wrong. I'm all prepared to hear:

"I'm bored, There's Nothing to Do, What! It's our summer vacation, why do we have to clean the house today!"

Yep, mentally I'm ready. (At least I'm telling myself that), but I won't deny that I'm SO glad to be taking a break from: the morning mayhem, the who sits where on the ride to school smack-down, the last minute remembering that I'm supposed to help for the class party today, the waking up of a sleeping toddler to go and pick kids up from school, the homework! . . . . I think you get my point.

Not only did the month of May bring me close to collapse, but it also means I get to do a whole lotta posts about what transpired during those weeks. It might take me all of today, it might take me a week, it might even take a month, but my goal is to post them all. So starting with this past Thursday and working my way back--here I go.

Our Janie graduated from preschool Thursday night! It was fun watching her sit up there-TRYING her very best to NOT talk. She looked so grown up. As my kids are getting older I'm starting to realize how very short my time with them is. I can't believe she will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple of months!

Janie is one smart cookie! I can't get over some of the things her little mind thinks up. She's a little on the sassy side and I'm pretty sure that her high school Drama Department is going to LOVE her!

Her graduation ceremony was very short (THANK YOU Mrs. Heather!)

They did a few little songs for the parents-here's a little sample:

the teacher handed out some very cute books she made for each child showing what they did for the year, and of course they got their diplomas.

It ended with a slide show of pictures showing the kids in the classroom playing, making their projects, and on all their many field trips. All I can say is I have one very DARLING and very photogenic child!

Congrats my Janie girl! We are so proud of all the hard work you put into school this year!

Chloe's New Do!

What can I say-it had to be done!

The 'bob' seems to be a right of passage for these Girls!

Chloe was so good while getting it cut. She sat (yes SHE sat! Very still I might add) and acted like nothing was happening. Afterwards she kept looking in the mirror and smiling.

I'm loving it and apparently so is she!

Spring has Sprung

No your eyes aren't deceiving you. It's my blog. I've just been playing around a bit. Not sure if I'll keep it or not--it's a little too busy. I'm not into busy. BUT I do love the new feature that just lets me click on my kids pictures to take me to their blogs!

Just a quick little update to let everyone know we are still here! I've taken a little break from the blogging life, but I've recommitted to doing better.

I have so much to catch up on, but right now I'll just post a few pictures of the kids in their new Easter duds. The kids were fairly cooperative this year in letting me take their Easter pictures.

LOVE this picture of Logan. It's a rare thing to get a genuine smile out of this kid.

Totally diggin' Mad's dress this year. Yellow is her favorite color and she was so excited about this dress.

Meg's Easter dress looks darling on her! The picture doesn't do it justice. It has the cutest flair out at the bottom.

FINALLY we found a dress for Janie that she doesn't complain about it itching her all Sunday long! Her only complaint is that is was green and not blue- her favorite color. I mean after all Maddie got a dress in her favorite color, why can't she have a dress in her favorite color. Life's NEVER fair for our Janie girl (or so she reminds us on a daily basis).

And finally here is my little Chloe, who is not so little anymore. All I can say is that a white dress on Chloe doesn't stay white for too long!

King of the Klondike

This weekend Jared and Logan headed up to the hills for the Klondike (the scout camp out in the SNOW!) Since Logan turned 11 and officially became a Boy Scout this was his very first overnight camp out.

And I cannot put into words the energy that was bouncing off Logan as he waited for Jared to get home so they could leave!

Father and Son (Love this one):

Logan in his element!:

Some of the boys in the ward. Doesn't Logan look like he's having a good time!!:

Getting ready to test out their sled. Can you see Logan?:

It hasn't snowed too much in the past few weeks, but during the night it did snow and it continued into the morning. They both said it wasn't too cold though and I was informed I sent way too many blankets with them.

Jared doesn't have fond memories of snow camping as a boy scout. So I was really hoping this time he'd have a better experience! I think he did!

Here's what they had to say:

Logan said, "It was fun to do the sledding and all the activities. It was good food!

Jared said, "Good food, fun activities, great scenery. and good company."

Better Late than Never!

Get ready! Here they come! I'm finally posting all about my November and December! For some reason I can justify doing it in January, but February seems too late! I wasn't going to do anything and just move forward, but if I ever make my blog into a book those posts need to be there!

I really condensed it down, but there were just a few things that needed to be posted like 3 of my children's birthdays or Janie's first piano recital.

So if your ready to do some reading continue scrolling down!

Miss Madeline is Ten!

I don't think ANYONE enjoys their birthday more than our Maddie Kate!
Madeline lives for her birthday. Months before the big day she was planning it out with me.

This year she wanted a big formal dinner with her mom and dad, siblings, and grandparents.

She was too cute planning everything. She made the place cards and wanted everything just so!

She wanted the dinner to be at my parents house and for my mom to make her a yellow cake with sprinkles and wanted everyone to come dressed in their Sunday best!

Here she is giving instructions to everyone on how the meal is to proceed:
Here she is again documenting the event with her camera she got for Christmas:
And here she is with the entire group (minus me who was obviously taking the picture!):

I think this smile says it all. She just REALLY, REALLY ENJOYED her day!
Last year on her birthday she got Abigail, her African Elephant from Build a Bear. So this year she wanted Ashes, the Asian Elephant from Build a Bear.

Even though she just turned 10 and is growing up-I LOVE it that a part of her is still a little girl who likes stuffed animals!

Don't grow up too fast Maddie Girl! Happy Birthday!!

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

Here's just a quick recap of the holidays!

Christmas Eve is always filled with the traditional fun. Dinner, songs, presents, and of course the kids acting out the nativity. This year the little girls had fun dressing up Grandpa as an angel too. Logan played Joseph once again, although he informed me that next year he was passing the torch over to his cousin Nate. One of the highlights of the night was a special gift my mom had given to ALL of her grandchildren. She had written EACH of them their very own song all about them. That is no small task when you consider she has 29 grandchildren!

Christmas morning was a hit! Santa actually put smiles on EVERYONE's face! Maddie and Meg had fun documenting the entire morning with their new cameras, Janie was in heaven with her new doll house, and Chloe had fun with her new baby (that is when she wasn't trying to play with Janie's new stuff!)

Logan got a new basketball hoop. But because of all the snow he couldn't play it too much. Good thing he had Jared there to play video games with!!

Later on that night Jared's family came over for dinner and fun. I really need to hand the camera over to Jared when his family comes over because I'm usually in the kitchen getting things ready and it's only after the fact that I realize we never got any pictures!

Hopefully Maddie and Meg got some with the cameras Santa brought them for Christmas!

We had such a great holiday. Celebrating the Savior's birth with our family. We couldn't ask for more!

Christmas Bells are Ringing!

Once again it was time for the annual Christmas Recital! And can you believe that my little Janie played in her very first piano recital!

Doesn't she look adorable next to her piano teacher (who just happens to be her grandma)!

She had practiced so hard on her piece, but I was a little worried about how she'd do. She is very timid when the spotlight is on her and tries to hide behind me, but boy did she prove me wrong.

She was the very first soloist of the night. When her name was announced she just marched right up to the stage, plopped her music down and started playing!

Did you just hear her? Not too bad for a 4 year old!

Of course Maddie and Meg played their songs also and did a FABULOUS job. They've got a few of these recitals under their belt and so they didn't want to stick around for a photo shoot, but lucky for them I got it all on tape!

** Just a quick word before you click on Madeline's beautiful song. Jared wasn't able to attend the recital because he had class that night and Chloe wasn't too cooperative while I was trying to film. Hence all the shaking and ceiling shots!

And Maddie also had another song, but I only got the first couple of notes of it because I had to stop filming and shut the door so you couldn't hear Megan and Logan fighting outside the door about who was going to help me with Chloe.

Aah... the sounds of the season!

Madeline also played in a piano duo (two pianos/four players) with some of her cousins. They sounded awesome, but I won't subject you to the video tape (it's all ceiling thanks to Chloe!)

The Birthday Boy

It's hard to believe that 11 years ago I became a mom! I can't believe in just one year Logan will be 12 and passing the sacrament at church. It is so true that your kids don't stay little for long.

The day of Logan's birthday we had a pretty good snowstorm, but that didn't bother Logan too much. He was content to just stay in and play his video games. He was pretty excited to get and entire day to play without any time limits on how much he could play!

All in all our boy is pretty easy to please!

A simple plain chocolate bundt cake with some mint chocolate chip ice cream was all he requested!

And as far as presents go, I think (besides tickets to a Jazz game with his dad) books made the top of the list. Nothing can put a smile on this kids face like a new book series to read! He got the first few books in the 'Ranger's Apprentice' series and of course he had them finished in record time.

Happy Birthday Buddy! Thanks for giving us 11 years of enjoying you!

Happy 35th!!

Okay, so out of the two pictures I had to choose from to document Jared's 35th birthday-this was the BEST! I have no idea which child was taking the picture, but at least we have a somewhat visible picture!

What can I say about my husband that I haven't already said before! Once again if you've never seen my 50 things I love about Jared go ahead and click here!

Hard work, Optimistic, Loving, Honest, Dependable, Spiritual, and Devoted are just a few of the words I'll use to describe Jared!

I am so thankful everyday that I am married to such an amazing person.

So glad to be on this ride with you babe! Happy Birthday!

Make a Wish or TWO!

At the end of November Chloe turned 2 years old!

Two years with this little firecracker in the house! Chloe is always-ALWAYS on the go, but I can't imagine her any other way!

We celebrated with a small group this year. It was just the birthday girl, our little family, and the grandparents.

Even though she was only two, she KNEW it was HER day! All day long she was entertained and her every wish was granted!

Duck, Duck, Duck Goose, Ring around the Rosies, and London Bridges were probably at the top of her list. Everyone played them over and over with her.

Of course the day wouldn't have been complete without Chloe doing something she shouldn't! After I finished her cupcake tower I put them out of her reach (on top of the dryer!). But like I always say Chloe's slogan for life is 'if there's a will there's a way!' I think the pictures speak for themselves!

Star Students!

Maddie and Megan were both beaming when I picked them up last week! As soon as they saw the car they started running for it and when they opened the door they simultaneously shouted, "We both got Principal Pride for this month!"

Two students of the month. A mom couldn't be more proud!

Goodbye 2009-Hello 2010

I haven't blogged in so long that I ALMOST forgot my password. Lucky for me somebody whispered it in my ear! But where to start..... that's my dilemma. So much to blog-so little time!

How about with last night? Goodbye 2009-HELLO 2010!

We usually spend New Year's Eve at my parent's house. It's loud, crazy, and one big party! The kids love it because they can just run wild.

The guys always end up here--the kitchen table playing Hand and Foot (a Sullivan tradition passed down through the generations). Logan is now old enough to play--that's him hiding behind the cards!

And when the woman folk aren't chasing kids around or helping to clean up We like to play board games. This year Scattagories and Ultimate Outburst made the top 2.

I will say Lani -11:45 at night-and Ultimate Outburst make an awesome combo!

Just some random shots of the night:

Chloe and Christopher were best buddies throughout the night

Megan waiting to go outside and ring in the new year.

I got my New Year's Kiss!

Jared braved the chilly temps and took Chloe out for the annual New Year Run.

11:58 p.m. December 31st, 2009-Just getting ready.

Before you play the video--let me explain:

Years ago, when the clock struck midnight and welcomed in the new year, my brothers all took off outside, running down the street, yelling "Merry Christmas Bedford Falls". And since that time, the tradition has continued. They now drag their children out into the chilly night, but it has to be done!

And yes that is only our family making all that racket!

So once again enjoy my superb videoing skills!

HAPPY 2010 EVERYBODY! May your new year

be full of fabulousness!