Can't keep up

Yesterday was one of those days where I could NOT keep up with my kids. I tried to take a day off of playing to get caught up and I think it only put me more behind. We are in an adjustment period with Avaree. She isn't really taking naps anymore even though she gets tired and if she does sleep in the day she won't be tired at bedtime and I NEED her to go to bed at night so we've been doing QUIET time where she plays in her room quietly by herself for a little bit to give us both a break. Well yesterday while I was paying bills and she was in quiet time being extra QUIET... I thought she had fallen asleep but no she was busy painting this toy hippo....

My first reaction was to get MAD, especially when I saw paint on the carpet but when I saw the hippo I was really impressed and couldn't get that mad at her. She did a good job. I think she has an artisic talent. My favorite part is the cheek and eye.

But seriously every room in my house looked like this yesterday. Avaree went around just dumping things out to dump them out not to play with them. Some days Motherhood requires a lot of patience, more than I think I have sometimes.

It's GREAT to be TWENTY EIGHT!

The celebrations started on Monday night with my family party. Jake and Angela made me and all my siblings dinner (except for Griffin, he is at scout camp this week). They made homemade meatballs and potatoes. It was yummy and so thoughtful. Angela fits right in with us. I LOVE having another girl around.

Sweet Brady made me five little cakes. I don't know why five but I was grateful and we got a good laugh out of it. I don't remember the last time I had a birthday cake that I didn't make, let alone five. It was surprisingly good too.

Weston helped me blow out the candles. I'll be honest my birthday is always a little hard for me since my Mom passed. One, it is a reality to me how many more years I have to live without her and Two, she was so good at making birthdays meaningful and special and I miss that. But I have to give props to my brothers... they did a great job! It meant a lot to me.

The day of my birthday I met some friends for lunch at Tuscany. It was nice and relaxing. I think we stayed and talked for 3 hours. Girlfriends are the best!

Thanks to my beautiful babysitter. Look at those lucious lips! I'm jealous.

For dinner we went to one of my favorite places... Paradise Bakery. Jason thinks it is a girly place to eat and it is... good sandwiches, soups, salads, and cookies but it was my birthday so we went.

After dinner we did a little shopping, again, because it was my birthday. Jason will never shop with me so I had to take advantage of it while I could. Then we went home and put the kids to bed and headed to a late show with our friends Adam and Kelly Koch. I'm personally not a huge Batman fan but it was worth seeing. A little too long for me though. I thought it would have been better if it they shortened it. Heath Ledger did do a good job. Creepy but good.

Then this morning Jake treated Angela and I to massages! Angela is on her Summer break from dental school so she deserved a massage and I deserve one for being a Mom! This picture was taken after our massages and I was ready for a nap. It really is GREAT to be TWENTY EIGHT! (except I'm already in need of anti wrinkle cream and when does the acne stop??)

Pioneer Day

I love living in Utah because the 24th of July is a holiday! I'll never forget when I was living in California and found out I had to work on the 24th because I always grew up with it being a holiday. In fact one year I even took the day off because I love to celebrate the 24th. This year to honor the pioneers who sacrificed so much for us we celebrated by enjoying the movies, food, family, fireworks, and our freedom.

This is why Avaree asked me for 2 straws in her chocolate milk yesterday morning.

We went and saw Kung Fu Panda. It was cute. Jack Black cracks me up and the kids did well!!

After the movie we headed over to the Mayan Restaraunt. It's awesome. You feel like you are in a different world in there. They have divers diving in pools while you eat. Great entertainment for all!!

It's hard to tell but that is a diver.

Good old courtesy cone from Artic Circle. They are free and the perfect size for little ones.

Later that night we headed down to the Kessler's for fireworks and to say good bye to Grandma Dorothy. She is dying from Alzheimers. Susan has been taking care of her Mother for the past 4 months in their home. They think she will pass any day now. It's always humbling to be around someone who is so close to passing on. I know it has been a special experience for the Kessler family to be able to serve and take care of her.

Fireworks!

Avaree was a little scared at first but warmed up in no time.

Weston loved every minute of it! I feel so blessed to live in this period of time where we have so many freedoms. I am truly grateful we were able to have such a fun day as a family making memories that will last a lifetime!

Over Ripe Bananas??

I suggest making Banana Oatmeal Cookies...

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup mashed bananas
1 3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped nuts (if desired... I never do)
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
3/4 tsp cinnamon
2 cups chocolate chips

Beat shortening and sugar, add egg, beat well. Add banana, oats, and nuts. Add dry ingredients. Blend. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by teaspoonfuls. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Enjoy!

Strawberry Resevoir

This past weekend we headed up to Strawberry Resevoir for some boating and camping. Yes, I said camping. I camped again. It actually wasn't too bad. We only camped for one night and the kids slept better this time around and we didn't have to make a trip to an instacare so we were successful! This was actually one of our favorite lakes that we have been to. The water was a decent temperature and we had some good water for wakeboarding. Look how beautiful it was...

BAYLEE GOT UP THIS TRIP!!

and she was SMILING!! (We are still working on Griffin)

Jeff (Jason's brother) caught a LIVE fish with his bare hands.

Avaree with Aunt Summer (Jeff's wife). This worm really entertained Avaree. It's funny though because she is frightened to death by insects.

The battery on my camera died again and these pictures were all taken with Brandon's cell phone. I'm amazed how clear they are.

The camp site.

Driving home. Uncle Brandon and Avaree.

My kids were so exhausted after. Avaree fell asleep at the dinner table at 6:00 and slept for the night. That never happens. And no she does NOT sit in a high chair anymore. She is in a baby phase where she pretends she is a baby. It is actually driving me crazy (the whiny baby voice). Weston really should still be in the highchair but he refuses because he wants to be a big boy. My kids are confused and so am I.

Birthday's

I just needed to do a shout out to all the birthday's in our family that I haven't documented. I want each of you to know how much we love you and are so glad you are part of our lives!!

Viviane Kessler... May 1st

Jeffery Kessler... June 17th

Ligia Kerr... June 19th

Angela Zagorec... July 11th

Paulette Kessler... July 21st

Here's to a good year!

Liberty Park

For playgroup this week we headed to Liberty Park. It has fun water fountains for the kids to play in and another area with streams and waterfalls that are named after all the different canyons in Utah. It's pretty cool. Sorry for the picture overload. I have a lot of kids!

Weston was braver than Avaree in the fountains. He loves the water.

Baylee and her friend Maddie with their nieces.

Griff and Bridger

Avaree and Sage

The Group

New baby Maxwell surrounded by all the big boys. It was so cute!

After the park we got YUMMY Island Flavor slushies from a little truck on the side of the road. They blend their slushees with ice cream and cream. They were delish! Thanks for introducing us Brandee. I'm hooked.




Avaree and Weston were holding hands on the way home. Avaree doesn't want to stay strapped in these days which makes me angry but it was really sweet seeing them hold hands and giggling.