Damaged Goods

A few weeks back Hans and Uncle Lyndsy were having way too much together and lets just say the fun came to a screeching holt.  Hans ended the night with a pretty big bump on his forehead and Uncle Lyndsy didn't get much sleep that night.  I stressed to Uncle Lyndsy that it was just an accident and that he didn't need to feel bad what so ever, cuz chances are it wasn't going to be the last bump for Hans or any of the other boys for that matter.  

For those of you who know Hans, he is somewhat of a comedian.  After taking this picture he asked to see what his bump looked like.  He looked up at me with tears welling in his eyes and said, "Oh no mom, I'm damaged goods".  I know I shouldn't have, but come on what mom wouldn't bust out laughing at a comment made like that from their 5 year old. 

Yes I know that just isn't a little bump, that's a MONSTER of a BUMP". 

During the next week, Hans face began turning somewhat alien like from all the swelling. 

After 2 weeks Hans is back to normal with just a small bruise left to heal.  It sure is incredible how durable children really are.

144 Hours

This past summer Josh won a trip to Mexico at a golf tournament.  Perhaps "won" is the wrong choice of words, he bid on a trip to Mexico and somehow ended up winning the trip.  Needless to say when he called with what he thought was GREAT news, I was a little beside myself.  Josh and I have been married for almost 9 years and have never been gone from the kids for longer than a night or two let alone been gone to another country.  Some might think that after 8 years of marriage and 3 kids that we have earned this vacation or at least my husband has earned some special time with just me, but it didn't make it any easier saying good-bye. 

So when Monday rolled around, I had 18 letters sealed and addressed to each kid for each day we were away, a portable pharmacy with amounts for each kids and what should be taken if something shall happen while I'm gone, 1 very special story book for them to read at night (although Josh and I were in a different country and a different time zone, Josh was still able to read them a story at night) and best of all, they got to spend a whole week enjoying their grandparents.

 A week spent in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

We had amazing weather, beautiful sunsets, Chips and Salsa and as an added bonus about 735 different types of Tequila.  What more could you need.

The highlight of the trip

What started out as this..

lead to this..

Which ended with us 3 in the back of a taxi and BJ in the front acting like our dad.  Well, maybe just Sam's.  This tax ride still makes Josh and I bust out in laughter.  Sam, we love you and you are a kick in the pants!!!

We had a great time all in all and can't imagine this trip without BJ and Sam. 

Thanks BJ and Sam for going with us, can't wait to see where are next adventure takes us.

53 years and counting

That's right, Dad turned 53 and he's still counting and looking forward to many years to come.  We spent an evening celebrating another trip around the sun with good food, good laughs and good cake.

An added bonus was having Great-Grandpa joining us for the evening



53 candles takes extra help

Alyee loves her cake and ice cream and the belly goes to show it

Dad had a hard time getting the boots on his feet. 

The kids thought it was too funny to try to walk around in them.

17 fun filled days

Christmas Break was full of fun and excitement. 

17 whole days to enjoy as a family. 

~ Event 1 ~
 A 30 year old tradition in the Roberts family, ornament decorating.  Each year the Roberts gather together and decorate homemade cinnamon ornaments.  It is my most looked forward to events of the season.  Each year our artistic ability gets a little better. 

Us girls surprised Sally with a new table for Christmas that she had mentioned she would really like for the Ranch.  I think we all thought it would look good in all our houses as well.

~ Event 2  ~ 

Go-Cart races it was!  With the sun shining, it was hard to not pass up such a beautiful day outside so go-cart races it was.

~ Event 3 ~  

Brought an early Christmas gift to Josh and I.  Thanks Dad and Mom, we love our Santa!

~ Event 4 ~ 
Another early Christmas gift for the kids.  What goes so well with all this wonderful snow... A Bob Sled!  The kids have had so much fun with their sled already, thank you dad and mom our kids are truly blessed to have such loving grandparents.

It was an evening full of fun in the snow.

~ Event 5 ~ 
Christmas Eve spent with the Roberts Family.  This is the birthday cake Tamar made for the day. 

She called it her 'Winter Wonderland Cake'. 

Christmas Eve was filled with Tea Sets, purses, phones, and dress up.

A Razor jump.  Just look at how excited Hans is, it scares me a little.

'Captain Underpants', which I have to say is a VERY FUN series of books.  I am even finding them enjoyable and exciting.

Hats and Hot Dog roasting sticks. 

Lyndsy did a great job of finding this very clever and perfect gift ideas for Brian and Josh.  So fitting.

Josh and I also recieved new bikes for Christmas.  No longer will we be getting out of bike rides with the boys.  Now I just need Spring to come.

But the best part of the whole day was watching Big Lyndsy unwrap and read 1 of his very own stories he made up about "Huckapoose the Brave Ant".  Lyndsy Michael made and hand illustrated the whole story and put it down in a book for his dad.  It was truly amazing.

~ Event 6 ~

Christmas at my sister's

Christmas morning was spent in the dark with no lights,no power & NO COFFEE!  We enjoying a quick morning of watching the kids open their gifts from Santa and then it was in the car and over the mountain to John and Brynne's.  The afternoon was spent enjoying time with my family, opening gifts, playing new games and having some really yummy food.

Once again Grandpa put his talent to work and built each of the kids a gift full of LOVE. (the best kind if you ask me are the handmade/homemade ones).

Oh Boy, a WHOLE yard of bubble gum.  Thanks Uncle John and Aunt Brynne.

Somehow with her busy new life of being a Veterinarian, my loving sister made both Mom and I beautiful scarfs.  Thank you so much Brynne, I promise one of these years I will make you something just as thoughtful.  I just need to learn how to sew, knit or be crafty at something.

~ Event 7 ~

Brought the flu

After a morning of Alyee vomiting all over me at breakfast and being sick, we managed to make a quick trip onto the beach and grab a picture of my family.  All 5 of us at the ocean at the same time, can't remember the last time.

~ Event 8 ~
 A day of Lego's and lots of poopy diapers.

Just 1 of the MANY Lego projects that was built over the Christmas Break.

~ Event 9 ~

 Good-bye to Ocean Shores

There is nothing more fun to my family than a bag of bread, a sandy beach and lots of SeaGulls.  Feeding the SeaGulls is just 1 of the many things my boys LOVE about the sandy ocean beaches as do I.

 Go figure the day we say good-bye it finally stops pouring and I do mean POURING!! 

It was unreal the amount of rain Ocean Shores got in the 2 days we were there.

~ Event 10~

Happy New Year's

An evening spent with the Roberts siblings and my brother.  Thank you Lyndsy and Ashley for such a memorable and fun end to a great 2010. 

We loved 2010...

and we can't wait to see what 2011 brings us all.