Doodle Doodle

I seriously wish that I could record every waking moment with my kids.  They are hilarious!  I especially love when they have conversations with each other.  Here's one from the car the other day.  For some reason I could not stop laughing, definitely one of those moments I wish I had on camera.  Braden's expressions and Alexa's sassyness made the whole thing perfect.

Alexa: Braden say Mommy
Braden: Mah-mee
Alexa: Say Daddy
Braden: Dah-dee
Alexa: Say Gramma
Braden: Mah Mah
Alexa: Say Grampa
Braden: Bamp-pah
Alexa: Say Princess and the Frog
Braden: {pause} No
Alexa: Ugh, fine...then say doodle doodle
Braden: DOODLE DOODLE!!

There isn't much that is better than watching your kids together (when they are being nice.) :)
Now if I could only figure out how to make that happen all the time.

Here they both are rockin the white shades.
I can't decide who is cuter in them.
I should have gotten two pair.

How It Started

Here are a couple of pictures from the New Richmond News of the fire that was behind our house last weekend.

Want to know how is was started?
A couple of kids were playing with fireworks in the {extremely dry} woods.
Nice, huh?

Mom N' Me Monday

I am so bummed, I didn't get any pictures of me and the kids together last week but I still wanted to join in with Julie on Mom N' Me Mondays so I dug up a couple old ones.  If you want to join in too head over to The Peanut Gallery...Exit Here and link up.  Julie always has the most amazing pictures and stories!



These are from last May during Memorial weekend.
It was beautiful and we played outside all weekend long!
I can't wait until it starts getting warmer and we can break out the pool and lounge around in the sun again.

I can't believe how much Braden has changed in the past year!
See those rolls...they're all gone now. 
Oh how I miss chubby baby legs!


Have a great week everyone!! :)

Close Call

I had no idea when I woke up this morning that just a couple hours later I would be told to pack up what is important and get out of our house. 

It was completely surreal and it felt like I was watching a movie.
50+ foot flames in our back yard.
Smoke so black and thick that I couldn't even see our neighbors fence.
Police Officers and Fire Fighters running down our streets.


It's amazing how helpful and caring people are when bad things happen. 
I had neighbors coming over to take my kids before I could even calm myself down and realize what was actually happening. 
Once I knew they were safe I went back in the house and completely froze.
What is important?
Other than making sure my family was out, I had no idea.
I always thought I would know what to take in that kind of situation.
So I just started grabbing pictures, computers, diapers, some clothes, and important documents...


What a crazy day. 
I realized I didn't grab Braden's blanket or Alexa's puppy, which are the things they would have grabbed...bad mommy moment.  Thank goodness everything turned out okay. :)


Thank you so much to everyone who was praying and texting and calling!
Maybe sometimes we all need a close call to remember what is really important.

Wordless Wednesday

Practicing making the silly faces Alexa has taught him. :)

April Showers Brings....Puddle Jumping!!

Alexa has been dying to break out her rain boots and find some puddles but it has been so dry around here, we haven't seen much rain.  Last week she finally got her wish and it rained all day.  She was pretty excited to get out and find the big puddles once it quite.  Along the way we found a whole bunch of worms too...the kids were in heaven. 

Wordless Wednesday

Five Question Friday

Yay for the weekend!!  It has been forever since I have done a Five Question Friday so I thought I would play along today.   The kids are napping and I need something to do to avoid any type of housework. :)  If you want to join in, check out Mama M's blog! 


1. Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

Ohhh, that's a hard one.  There's not really anyone that looks like me so I guess I just get to pick whoever I want, right?  Right!  So I am going to go with Kate Winslet.  I love her and her movies, she is awesome, so down to earth and totally beautiful!  (Have you seen The Life of David Gale?  It's a must see!)

2. Did you ever go to summer camp?

No.  At least I don't think I did.  I would probably remember something like that though so I am going to stick with, no.

3. What sends you running and screaming in the other direction?

Snakes!!  Oh my gosh, I HATE them.  HATE!  (And I try not use that word very often.)  I used to be a spaz about all kinds of bugs and creepy crawly things but I have gotten really brave in my old age.  I kid you not, I will even kill spiders.  Yup, that's right, with these hands.  Well, these hands with about 5 Kleenexes, just in case.  Anyway, snakes still freak me out, I'm sure they always will.  I also plan on doing my best to make Braden afraid of them so he isn't one of those boys that brings them home for me to see.  YUCK!

4. What is something you do that drives your spouse nuts?

Gasp!  What!?  Nothing, I'm sure!

Okay, wait a minute, let me ask...

So can you believe it, there IS something.

He says my "backseat driving"

I have no idea what he's talking about. ;)

5. What is currently your favorite song?

I guess I don't really have a favorite.  I love anything catchy and that's good to rock out in my kitchen with the kids.  Alexa has been a big fan of the Black Eyed Peas and Lady Gaga lately...she's likes to shake her booty too. :)

I hope everyone has a fabulous Friday!!

This and That

Thank you to everyone who commented on cutting Alexa's hair!  I have decided that I am just going to get it trimmed until she can pick what she wants to do with it.  Besides I think I would be too traumatized to cut off all her soft gorgeous hair, no matter how frustrating it can be to comb through.  Just kidding, but seriously it's nothing a little conditioner and some pony tails can't get us through. :)

It's been almost a month since Braden has nursed...it feels like forever.  Part of me still misses that time.  Now if only I could bring myself to stop wearing all the nursing bras and tanks.  Apparently after wearing them for almost 3 1/2 years straight it's kind of hard to break the habit.  I guess it's time for me to go on a little shopping spree for some new ones. :) 

We have recently found out that we are going to have a new niece or nephew!  We are super excited...yay for babies! :)  I'm hoping for a boy since they already have a little girl, but either way there will be a new little bundle of joy in the family this winter.

Here are a couple pictures of Braden and Piper from the Easter Egg Hunt at our friends house.  I told you they were best buds all day. :)  So cute!  Thank you Holly for taking these pictures!

It has been cooler this week but next week we are suppose to get back into the 70s.  Woohoo!  We have been spending lots of time getting outside, walking, going to the park, playing on the swing set and having picnics...I love this time of the year!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!  Anyone doing anything exciting?

Outtakes

Anyone have any secrets on how to get a good picture with little kids?
I sure don't know!
It was fun trying though...

Easter Weekend

We had a busy but super fun Easter weekend.
Lots of family, lots of friends and way too much food!
Just the way it should be, right!? :)

I think Braden had a little too much partying and not enough sleep though because he has been sick all day. Mostly just a cold but he always gets hit hard with colds...runny nose, watery eyes and coughs so hard he throws up. No fun! And to top it off he is getting a couple more teeth so he has been pooping nonstop too. It's been a mess around here today! But now he is sleeping away and the smell of Vicks is pouring out of his room...hoping he feels better soon!

Friday night we dyed eggs.
Alexa was so excited.
I bought the kit on Monday and you have no idea how many times I heard, "Can we please dye eggs now?"

Braden was mostly happy eating animal crackers on my lap...probably a good thing for my table and floors. :)

Saturday we went to our friends, Adam and Tina's house for an Easter Egg Hunt and cookout. Alexa had so much fun playing with all the kids and Braden spent a lot of time hanging out with their dog. I wish I had gotten a picture of them, Braden had to be sitting right next to her and she kept giving him kisses. So cute! I actually only took one picture all day. I always forget to take pictures when I am having fun, I need to be better about that. Check out Tina's post for cute pictures of some of the kids there!

Sunday we woke up and had yet another egg hunt and the kids found their baskets in like 15 seconds. Next year they are getting hid way better!

Alexa's favorite thing was her Princess kite.

Braden liked his new shades...

...and bubbles!

After eating some delicious Monkey Bread we headed to church with my parents and then to their house for a yummy Easter steak lunch.

Then one last egg hunt.
FYI - kids never get sick of looking for eggs, they were just as excited for the last one as they were the first one. Do you think the candy, toys, money, etc. in them have anything to do with it? :)

Grampa helping Braden.

Braden and Uncle Phill.

Alexa and Auntie Alaina.

Braden and Auntie Alaina.

Our family :)

I hope everyone else had a wonderful Easter too!
I can't wait to read about it...I just have to get through all the pukey laundry first. :)
Have a great week!!