We don't need a puppy....we have kids!

So I am sure that all kids love pretending to be puppies...at least mine do. Jackson taught our puppies, Alex, Dylan, and especially Griffin how to fetch today. They even learned useful tricks like sit, speak, roll over, no bite, and drop it! I know that these are skills that will come in handy their entire lives and am grateful that Jackson (AKA "Dog Whisperer") took time out of his busy schedule to teach these lessons.

I only got video of the fetching. I'm not hip enough to take the time to put it on here. Just imagine how thrilling it was.

Too bad I only got a picture of one puppy eating.

All three were gathered around the bowl at one point.

Christmas Day

Fun was had by all at the Gorringe house on Christmas day!

Christmas Eve Fun!

My mom makes the best jammies for all of her grandkiddos.

Football pants for Jackson

Cupcakes for Alex

Group photo! Everyone in their jammies

Flowers for Dylan

Group photo with Grandpa!

Froggie pants for Griffy.....sporting Corbin's stylin hat

Next party!!

Then we headed over to the Gorringe's for another Christmas Eve celebration.

Alex played the Sheep in the nativity....she insisted she was a bunny.

Dylan played an angel and Devin was Joseph


Dylan and Alex were so glad to be twinners after they opened
matching pants from Grandma Gorringe





And all gathered to behold that baby Jesus (played by baby Ryan...born last week)

We hopped on Trax and headed downtown to temple square. We have been meaning to do this activity for years and now that we don't have a little baby or I am not pregnant we went for it. It was certainly an adventure to ride on the train with four little kiddos. Alex kept asking, " I wonder when the conductor will come out."

We met up with my sister, Amber, who brought festive 3D glasses for everyone. Depending on which glasses you received you would see snowflakes, gingerbread, snowmen, or candy canes when you looked at all the lights.

This is a picture behind the glasses. Can you see the snowflakes?

At least the camera focused on something - here's the family.

Fine.....I will put something new up!

Miracles do happen. I am blogging. It's been too long. We have been busy with life as you all are. I am just not talented enough to fit blogging in too. Soccer, Kindergarten, preschool, football, laundry, naps....are just some of the things I have been doing. And I will let the pictures speak for themselves......

Poor Brandi!

I had to go pick up my poor friend Brandi from jail early this morning. I am not sure why she was trying to gather cows from the neighbors farm. We are hoping she makes a full mental recovery and her family will be able to accept her back. We love you Brandi and will keep you in our prayers!

p.s. - I am a little disturbed at how happy she looks....

Full of life!

Okay so do I blog or do I just bag the whole thing all together? This question often burdens me as I go about my daily tasks. I want to be a great blogger, I want to share great stories and pictures. I want to brighten people's day as so many bloggers out there do for me. This all sounds great in theory, but with 4 little kids running around and needing me all the time I am afraid I will just have to settle for a mediocre blog. And you know what? That's okay with me. So here is my quarterly post.....
So much has happened over the past couple of months. I am going to start at the present. We just finished up birthday season at our house. Griffin turned 1! Let me pause as I get a tissue to wipe away the tears. My baby is growing up, they grow so fast! Devin turned 31! Should I get another tissue? Nah...I'm okay. Devin and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. It has been a flavorful and busy 9 years and I wouldn't want it any other way! Jackson finished 1st grade and is playing on a competition soccer team. He is such a cool little dude. Dylan graduated from preschool and is doing to great in gymnastics. I'll post video when she gets her back handsprang. So those are all the basic and bold things that have happened the last couple of months. Here are some pictures for your viewing enjoyment.

One last thing, I have a random question for all who read this post. Would you allow a loved one to live in a trailer in your driveway for an extended period of time? I'm just curious how the general public feels about this. Thanks

Legoland Galore!

It's been a while since our trip to San Diego, but I just love these Legoland pictures. In fact, I just love Legoland. It was such a fun day for the kids and we will definitely be going back to that park. GO LEGO!

Dylan driving a Lego car

This ride was right up Alex's alley

Jackson was way too cool for this ride.

Alex waited in line (she was the only one)

to meet the princess of Legoland....then she was scared of the princess

So I got my picture with her instead

My little explorer loved the Duplo house

where he had an endless supply of large Legos

I have always wanted to meet the real Bob

Poser!

These Lego statues were amazing!

May the force be with you!!

Time for a buzz...

Jackson and Devin always get their haircut together. It's a father/son bonding moment that Jackson thoroughly enjoys more than I realized....until....

So Devin had to get a haircut to look all spiffy for this work thing. He just ran and got a cut during the day. So he shows up at home later that night and Jackson says, " Dad, you got your haircut without me?" So sad, right. Well, the night progesses as usual. After baths Jackson and Dylan were fixing their hair funny and just playing. I called them all in for bedtime and Devin says,

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO YOUR HAIR?" I screamed out loud when I saw it....all of Jackson's boy bangs gone! Jackson had a super sad face and said, "Now I look like you Dad." He is just so dang cute, I forget he is only seven. Anyways, he cut is so short I am surprised we didn't have to go in for stitches. As you can see we had to buzz his hair almost as short as the clippers would do it.

So there is a bit more to the story. Jackson was mortified by his new cut and was scared what people would think. The first day back to school he was called a few names, but handled it well. I am always to relieved to see kids bounce back from humiliation. It's comforting. On the second day of his new buzz he woke up and ran to the mirror. " Hey, I think it grew already!!" I agreed completely and told him how much I love the new due. Now let's just hope his sisters don't get any slick ideas.

Jackson was too mortified to have any "after" photos takes. Just watch out for the bald kid walking down the street. : )

Simple Pleasures

One of the simple pleasures in life is building a sandcastle. The beach was a huge novelty for the kids. What better combination could they ask for...unlimited sand and water together! I think they would have been completely satisfied playing in this fabuouls wonderland called "the beach" every day of the vacation.

Our masterpiece

She is concentrating so hard, it hurts.

Mmmmm.....trucks!



We need more water!

So....here's the plan. When the tide comes up, we abandon our fort.

Here it comes!

We love these feet, we love the sand!