Happy Mothers Day

Last night Kim and I went to Michael's and they had fake corsages and it made me nostalgic for mothers day. Every year my dad would buy mom, me and my sister a corsage to wear to church. I use to love getting them. Many moms at church had one on which is something I notice doesn't happen as much anymore.
It also made me think of all the things my mother has done for me and my family. See once you leave home and get married your mom still continues being your mom. We talk now about my kids and I get advice about how to deal with them. She even gives me examples of when we were growing up. She even likes to mother Darin because he is just like a son to him.
I often laugh when she tells me I need to slow down and give up some of the many things I do on a daily basis only because I learned it from her. She was always busy, planning the school carnivals, making costumes, taking care of us, taking care of everyone around her, babysitting for people; the list goes on and on. I am so thankful every day that I am like her and hope I can share that with some of my children. I love ya mom and Happy Mothers day!

father/sons

The snake they found when they first got there




Hiking up the rock

I love the confident look on Conner and the scared look on Zackery

Conner in his natural setting.

The time I look forward to came and went rather quickly. Father and sons was this last weekend and I love it along with the guys. My boys would not miss it for the world. Darin has instilled in them a love of camping!! I remember the first time Zackery went. I was so nervous that he would be okay and then the first time for Conner (he was 19 months) I pinned bells on his back and bought him light up shoes so Darin could keep track of our wanderer(he still likes to wander). I have come a long way since then. The boys pack themselves, Darin packs the gear and I sweetly push them out the door. This year Kim and I took the girls to the mall. We shopped and ate at Cheesecake Factory and had a good time but next year we vowed, McDonalds and a movie. Nickola has developed a love of cheesecake and it has become quite difficult to share one of my favorite things but we came home shared a cheesecake and crashed.

Artistic ability runs in the family

Zackery won first place at his schools arts and academics night. He did this drawing of Anakin. He has always loved to draw and has always been naturally good at it. I have a whole book just of his drawings. Darin is a good artist and so is Grandpa Bailey. The other picture shows the picture of Christ that Grandpa Bailey made for us when we got married. He carved it out of wood and painted it. We love to display it so I am sure many of you have seen it. Zackery and Conner love it when they can sit and draw with grandpa. Paper is something we always have on hand and my kids enjoy making their mark on any piece that they find. I know it doesn't help save trees but what a joy it is to see them develop their skills and confidence.

My Brother

A few weeks ago my brother was awarded "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" for kings county. I am so proud of him but definitely not surprised!! When he first decided to be a teacher, I thought that's great and then when he started teaching junior high it was the perfect fit. He is perfect for that age group...probably because he still acts like that age group!! In his defense though, all my brothers are still young and heart but it sure makes for fun family gatherings. This picture was taken in Utah right before he entered the MTC and I thought he would get a kick out of it. I was his "companion" for a few days because he was set apart before we left CA. Congrats again to you Jeremy. We are proud of you!!

what little actors

The other day my kids we "acting" out a scene from a movie and it made me think of when I was younger and we use to quote movies all the time. A classic from my childhood was "The Three Amigos." The rule of thumb at our house was anything that made Jake laugh, you did. That included quoting movies in funny voices and stubbing your toe (on purpose). On long trips, we use to play the movie game. This is when on person says a line from a movie and the others have to guess it. Jared use to just scream and want everyone to guess which movie it came from (he was fairly young). I notice now Darin and I quote movies to each other and have for years and I guess it is wearing off on the kids. Please enjoy my kids version of "Bedtime Stories" (it is a cute movie by the way)

Waffles anyone?

Waffles!!! We eat waffles at least once a week. The recipe is from my mom and we make it for company or when we go to grandma and grandpa Scholz's house. It has become a staple in our lives. If any of you want the recipe just let me know. (Notice the bigger the better waffle iron that my dear husband bought me for Christmas!) Sometimes my kids friends make comments about how we can't have breakfast for dinner but we don't mind mixing things up a little especially since we have 8:00 am church so we eat breakfast when we get home!

Strawberry Jam Fever

Last week I noticed strawberries we on sale 4pds for $1.50 and we all know that means time to make jam. I had neighbors and friends come over on thurs, fri and monday so I could share what jam making knowledge I have. I had one gal ask where I learned and I simple said my mom. I remember every year she made jam. My hometown has the most mouth watering strawberries!! The funny thing is I never learned how while I lived at home, it wasn't until I got married that I decided it was time to learn. Same with sewing. My mom sewed for us all the time but I didn't really learn until after I moved out, crazy how that works huh! Anyway I was able to get my years supply of jam done and I also froze some to make fruit leather in June. That is another thing I remember and eventually learned how to do is make fruit leather outside. We used to eat it right off the table when it was still warm!! Now that I live in Arizona it is the perfect weather to make it!! I will post pictures is June.