America's Birthday Celebration!

This years fourth of July activities was kind of a dud this year. We have been having such intense fires and no rain to bring relief. We usually have a down poor on the 4th, but not this year. Unfortunately this caused a state wide ban on open fireworks and many shows in the state were cancelled as well. Instead we made the most of it by going to the neighborhood park party. The kids loved playing at the park and slurping up snow cones. Over all, our day was still fun and Brandon still got his Kentucky fried chicken. Here's to hoping next year will be moist so that my pyro side can come out. :p 

I am proud to be an American and thankful for the Fireman who are continually working hard to fight the fires here at home. Also for those still serving our country at home and over seas. I wouldn't be able to enjoy such a Holiday with out them! Thanks!

Crafts and fun Ramblings

 Lorelei is growing up so incredibly fast. She has already begun talking and says a lot of things clearly. Here are some of her favorites:

Puppies

Dog

mama

dada

wow

uh-oh

des (yes)

no

duck

 

Funny story about Riley. One evening during dinner,

Riley asked me "Mom, ice cream after dinner?,"

I replied, "we don't have any ice cream Riley."

Riley: "then a cookie?"

Me: "We don't have any cookies."

Riley: "Then what?"

Gotta love the innocence of little kids.

 

Riley and his craft project. He fell in love with the Spaceship bird house and painted it multiple colors. The small bird house was Lorelei's, but she was more interested in painting herself.

Obviously my posts are out of order due to all the events in our life. I can't seem to keep things straight. Just remember "don't judge me because I sin differently than you".

 Before my brother came home we spent the weekend with the Henderson side. We got to play with Grammy, Grandpa, Kyle, Alicia and Jason. I'm bummed that I did not get pictures of their mock Easter hunt, but I am so loving the few that I got of Jason and Riley. Cousin's are just too much fun! (some one better have a girl soon so loli does not feel left out.)

Grammy Shelley gave them all a balloon. It turned out be a huge hit until one was demolished. Then it was like the Armageddon.

Riley and Jason jamming.

Not many smiles, but hey, they are looking.

Alex's return part 2!

Gram and Aunt Dorothy made it to Alex's home coming. They weren't able to be there at the airport, but they did make it for Alex's talk! These two have been storm troupers when it comes to family events lately. They truly make you feel special and important. They have been there for our family and I sure appreciate and love them. Thank you!

Gram being patient with great grand kids.

Gram losing patience with great grand kids. They just won't pose...

Dad plucking something from my aunt Dorothy's nose.  Sibling love.

Riley with Uncle Alex before he went on a mission

Riley with Uncle Alex after his mission

All of us round the table, decked out with yummy Austrian food!

My Brother is Home!

Wow, things have been so crazy for us this year. I will catch you up with the past few months starting with my brother's return from Knoxville Tennessee! :) He came home on April 19th. Luckily Brandon, Riley, Lorelei and I were there to great him. We had balloons, a sign and his favorite cake! He still seemed like the good ol' Alex to me, but at the same time he knew a lot more about the Gospel. I love my brother's quirky personality and the sweet spirit he has. I hope that never goes away! :)

My mom was really excited to see my brother. So was he.

Mindy made this incredibly yummy moist cake. 

It

 was full of peanut butter and chocolaty goodness!

Riley loved clinging to Uncle Alex. Not to mention the fun he had playing Nerf guns with him.

Welcome Home Elder Alex. Thank you for serving and sacrificing two years of your life to share the Gospel with others!

The multiple job Mom!

The other day I was talking to A friend, who is a single mom. I found out the number of jobs she does within in the home and out of the home. All I can say is kudos to her. Then I thought to myself, "hey I could do something like that." Well now I am watching the two cutest little girls. Yeah, we have our moments, but they totally fit in and I treat them like they were my own.

I also started up my art again and have been practicing portraits. I am currently working on some consignment pieces for a lady in my ward. This is the first time EVER in my life that I have achieved this goal. When she first asked me if I could draw her girls I told her that I couldn't. Drawing faces and people has never come to me easily. My first instinct has always been a cringe when an art teacher assigned any assignments dealing with a self portait, or a model. This time I went home mulled it over in my head and took it as a challenge. I searched her facebook for the cutest picture of one her daughters and this is what came out of me.

The image above is from my Camera so the coloring is off. I had Brandon scan it for me, but it was too high of resolution for any free programs like blogger and facebook.
Over all, I have totally learned to have an appreciation for what stay at home mom's do and single mothers. It's not easy raising children and trying to keep food on their plates. Being my own employer is great, but juggling 3 different full time jobs at once is kind of hard. My next stop in life hopefully will be in an art gallery. I just need to tap more into my political side for that one to come true. I guess only time can tell:p

Riley's day to shine!

Riley's Birthday was so much fun! He really got into the spirit of things this time around. He even requested a Caillou Birthday party. Unfortunately you can't find Caillou in the birthday section... so, I had to get creative. Everything was in Caillou colors with star balloon's and a handmade birthday sign. He even got a new Caillou figurine on his handpicked ice cream cake. Luckily Riley was pleased and excited for all of the new little things he got. He loves techie devices, Super hero's, music, reading books, and tackling his little sister. All in all he is all boy and we love him for it!

Nana & Opa Adventures!

While my parents where present, they got to experience the bipolar weather of Colorado. We went from a couple of dry beautiful warm days, to a snow storm, back to the sun, then a really cold wind storm the day they left. Luckily we were able to still enjoy all aspects the weather brought. My father loves, loves, LOVES the cold weather. He played with Riley in the snow without any winter protection. I thought he was little nuts...

On a day of no Snow we went to a Northwest Suburb of Denver called Arvada. There in their historic town is a small German Bakery that I have been wanting to visit. The experience was wonderful! The pastries and strudels were to die for. The owners were friendly and the town had such a charm about it. My mom and I even had fun popping into an antique store while the boys buckled in the Kiddos. Afterwards we headed off to the Children's Museum for some fun and to get the wiggles out of the kids.

As we discover more and more about Denver, I can't help but fall in love with it's hidden treasures. After all, I live here now, so I better find the joy in the journey while we are here. :)

Loli is one!

My baby turned one on the 21st of this month. I can not believe that a year has come and gone. Though she is tiny and still fits in a size three diaper she now walks like crazy and babels all the time. Nana and Opa were able to come out for a fun week of Birthdays. We enjoyed being spoiled and loved by them.

The picture below of Lolli and my dad is a lot like the picture of my grandpa and I on my first birthday. I love it when old memories surface.