Cheese Monster

It appears I have a cheese monster in my house. I pulled out our block of cheese the other day and cut a couple slices off for my boys. Then I started grating some for whatever I was cooking. Halfway through I had to stop and do something else. One of the kids needed me or something. I heard Kaden say, "Why does he get the big one?" I ignored it. Their cheese slices were the same size. A minute or so later I went back into the kitchen and discovered what Kaden was talking about:

Aaron found the whole block of cheese and helped himself. Yummy yummy!!

Thanks!

Thanks for everyone's help! I was really struggling, and it's hard to focus on this when I've got kids fighting in the background. Now you can actually read the blog again! Yay!

Lame

So, they deleted the background that I've had for years. I had to pick a new one. Now I can't figure out how the change all the text colors so that they match. If anyone can read this, HELP ME! I've done it before, but they've changed things around. I'm struggling and getting annoyed. Thanks!

Oops!

I pulled up to my sister's house today for a pool party. After a long and crazy morning--dropping Brad off at work, going to Wal-Mart (my first time with 3 kids by myself) for diapers, feeding the baby, making cookies and a salad--I was just excited I made it (an hour and a half late!). My phone rang right when I got there. It was Brad. "Hey honey, happy anniversary!" he told me. My response, "Oh, yeah huh." Oops! All week long I thought about how it was coming up on Saturday, but with all the craziness this morning it totally slipped my mind. Sorry sweetie! I love you! Thanks for a wonderful six years! I'm excited for eternity!

Now, back to cleaning the house. There is a spider emergency...

Brad's Birthday

Brad had his birthday last month. Hopefully it was a pretty good day for him. We went to dinner at Olive Garden and came home to have cake and ice cream with the kids.

Look at all that smoke!
So, I accidentally put trick candles on his cake. I forgot that we even had trick candles.

Blowing out the candles, or at least attempting to.

He was moving the cake down so the boys could see too.

Lighting the candles. Kaden tried to help me put the sprinkles on the side. That's why there are a ton on the plate and they're pretty patchy looking on the sides.

Kyla's Blessing

Kyla was blessed the first Sunday of June. It was a beautiful day. Brad did a terrific job and really captured her personality in the blessing (like he has with each of the kids). By the time we took pictures it had been an extremely long day. The ones of just Kyla--she was not happy. It was the third time I'd put that dress on her that day. It was just so hot I didn't want to leave her in it and I really wanted pictures. Brad managed to get her to stop crying though.

My mom made the blanket for her in about a day and a half. She's amazing!

The baby whisperer! He was calming her down so I could get some pictures.

Family pictures. The shirt that Aaron's wearing... I think Kaden wore that the day Aaron was blessed. Didn't do that on purpose.

Too bad Kaden's scowling.

I don't think she liked it.

My mom had a hard time figuring out our camera. But there you have it. Some pictures of our beautiful girl on her special day!

America

The real reason I started posting things tonight. I was driving home from PetSmart with Aaron, listening to some country music (judge me if you must). The song "An American Soldier" came on. It brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. It's been 3 years since my cousin/brother was killed in Iraq. I just want to say how glad I am that I live in America. I'm grateful for the freedoms that we are blessed with here. And I am so grateful for all the service men and women who serve our country because "freedom don't come free." Our nation isn't perfect. But there are people willing to risk their lives in defense of everything our country stands for. I doubt I'll ever be able to look at a flag or listen to that song without feelings of pride and accompanying tears.

Thanks to those who have served our country and those who continue to serve!

Summer Odds and Ends

The boys watching movies on the XBOX.

Aaron loves wearing Kaden's snow boots.

Kaden was playing Lego Star Wars and fell asleep while playing.

Aaron found a gift we received for Kyla. He decided to try it out, and he's even carrying around the card that was sent with it. Thanks Uncle Bob and Aunt Sharon!!!

Trying to get Kyla to smile... this was in May when she was starting to become responsive. She smiles all the time now.

This is the most precious smile and Kaden stuck his head in "just in time." The little stinker.

More smiles.

The boys were exhausted one Sunday and fell asleep next to one another (which never happens peacefully).

A view from the top.

That just looks so uncomfortable.

Dinosaur Museum

I finally got these pictures to upload! We went to the Dinosaur Museum in May. The boys loved it! I wish we could have spent more time there, but we didn't plan very well and went right before lunch. It was still fun though!

Kaden loves to be silly, as you will definitely notice.

Charming, isn't he!?!

They would have spent the whole day at this erosion table.

BUSTED! I caught Brad playing along with the boys! He was making dams for the kids... or was it for the kids?

Kaden having fun! His dinosaurs liked to roam.

Aaron is mad and has a fist full of sand. Luckily he didn't actually throw it.

Watch out behind you!

Aaron wouldn't go near this shark unless he was being held.

Brad tried to just pass up this excavation part. The boys wouldn't let him. Kaden had his shoes off before Brad could make it to the other side of the room.

There was a discovery room that had lots of cool stuff in it. Aaron's practicing his basketball skills here.