Who says bribes don't work?

Shea and I bought the boys a new game for their GameCube, and I thought we were going to save it for their birthday. I was so proud of myself for beginning the shopping early since I have 4 birthdays in 6 days in May! Shea couldn't wait until then to give it to them though. Apparently, he is sick of only playing Super Smash Bros. He's a funny kid.
Well, he left with his brothers, and I was ready to make a deal with the boys. I showed them the game and they responded with hugs for each other, excited yells, and huge smiles! Then I told them the conditions they had to meet to get the game. 10 nights--all night--their own beds. I would do anything at this point, and now I think I have the right "motivation."
Last night was a complete success! They did it! Lucy was wide awake from 5 to 7 a.m., so I went in to check on the boys. Cooper had climbed into Camden's bed and they were snuggled together. It was very tender and cute. I didn't feel so bad about making them be alone because they are never really alone. They can sleep that way every night for the rest of forever as long as I have my own bed! (Let's be honest. Lucy sleeps with me and Shea, so I'm never really alone either. That day may never come.) Only 9 more sleeps until Lego Star Wars!
Yesterday was a good one. I took the kids to Syracuse to visit a friend and her new baby. We spent the day there, came home for dinner, snuggled, and went to bed.
Today has been good too! I was visit taught this morning, the kids went to school, and Lucy and I went to the store. Home teachers are coming at 2:30 then we'll probably go visit Grandma and Grandpa until I have to make dinner for a family in our ward tonight. So far we've been busy and happy, but we miss our dad! Love you, hon! (Since there's no phone access and a one in a million chance you'll think to read the blog!)

Check out my Slide Show!

Where did my week go?

Probably no one cares where I've been or why I haven't blogged for a whole week! Sorry. I don't know what I've been doing--I've just been preoccupied I guess.
Shannon, you'll be happy to know I did a 2 day cleanse last week. You would have been so proud of me! Only this juice, protein, and green veggies for two days. For any of you who really know me and my eating habits, that was tough! I was amazed that I actually had any will power. Shea came to bed with ice cream one night, and my mom ate chocolate covered cinnamon bears in front of me too. I was so good! I did have a killer headache for two days from the lack of sugar. I decided I lived on sugar and carbs--not a good combo if you want to look good in a swimming suit. But, I'm working on changing my ways...we'll see how it goes.
Some friends invited us over on Friday for pizza and a movie. We had fun laughing and talking, and they had fun eating while I had to eat chicken and a green salad before I went. Do you know how good pizza crust looks when you're trying not to eat carbs for two days? I know--two days--I'm pretty pathetic. But I was strong--and I lost 6 pounds in the process! Yahoo!
On Saturday we ran errands and then had Ben and Olivia over for games. My Jerusalem friend, Heidi, called me because her hubby is out of town and she needed to get out. So she and her sweet 2 1/2 month old baby Landon came over to hang out and have dinner. It was fun to see her and talk for a while!
Today the boys have been playing GameCube and have been outside. Our new neighbor girls got a new cockapoo puppy today, so the boys played with them and it for a while outside. Lucy loved the puppy! She tried not to let the grass touch her bare legs while chasing it around the yard. The boys also took Lucy on Hummer rides for like 30 minutes. I love those things! Lucy's face is so cute when she is riding. It's so funny.
I think I'm making Shea take me to dinner tonight since he is going to be gone on his brothers' trip from Wednesday to Saturday. He's very excited, and it sounds like they have a lot of fun things planned!
These font colors are the colors of the flowers blooming in my garden right now. I love spring!

FHE

Tonight we had Nana, Papa, Kelly and Jake up for a bbq and to see the new deck. We had to have dinner anyway, and since we bought the meat at Costco, there was more than enough. We had steak, salad, chips, steamed artichokes with garlic lemon butter, and gooey butter cake for dessert. It was very yummy and fun!

Just a note, Lucy loved the artichokes even dipped in butter! She is such a funny baby. She doesn't want any food that the big people won't eat. She spits out all baby food, won't bother with the Gerber puffs, and hates plain Cheerios. She loves bean and cheese tortillas, chicken salad sandwiches, plums and apples she can bite herself, and cereal with milk. She thinks she is a grown up--it's pretty funny.

She and Aunt Kelly have the same hairdo! You don't need hair when you have such a beautiful face and a perfectly round head! Actually, Kelly is probably the only person who has less hair than Lucy. Boy, will those curls be worth it when they grow in--for Lucy and maybe Kelly too!

(For those of you who don't know, Kelly is having her second chemo treatment tomorrow for breast cancer. Kelly is Shea's oldest sister--and one of the best aunts ever!) My kids absolutely adore her. Good luck tomorrow, Kel.

Enjoying the weather this weekend

Lucy loves the boys' Hummers. She especially loves riding next to them while they drive her around the neighborhood. She's a lucky little girl to have two, big, protective brothers looking out for her. They have been seen riding with their left hands on the wheel and their right arms stretched out on the seat behind their baby sister. It's so darling.

I taught the boys to play hopscotch this weekend. They are good, and they think it is so much fun. It's good for their balancing skills too! We also enjoyed spending time with our new neighbors who have lots of babysitting-aged girls. We're trying to be their favorites so they will want to come tend for us. Any suggesstions?

Box o' Fun

"I call this game 'fun in a box,' said the cat."

I think this must be what Dr. Seuss was talking about when he wrote that! The boys had so much fun in the patio furniture boxes--we still haven't thrown them away.

Hippity hoppity Easter's on it's way

Pink silk. Practical for a baby? Probably not. But it was too darling to pass up. So, Lucy will just have to be extra clean on Easter.
I also found some cool Vans for Cam and Coop. It seems they are going through shoes in no time right now. The toes of all their shoes get worn out by riding bikes, wiggles, and scooters. Boys!
Jane, today's Costco trip will include the following:
bread
milk
eggs
mayo
cheese
Lever soap
toothpaste
and hopefully something fun!

Sun & Fun

We have been loving this weather! My boys have sunburned arms, necks and faces. They have been so happy just hanging out with their friends. We have also eaten almost every meal out on the deck, so I have been enjoying my clean kitchen for longer than usual!
I have taken Jane's advice and have spent the days playing with my kids and enjoying them. I need to do it more often--they are darn cute and very funny. To make myself feel productive and my house not feel like it's been abandoned, I put everyone to bed at 10 last night and cleaned my main floor. It was so quick and enjoyable! No one needing my attention, no one wanting to "help", no one making more messes, no one even caring where I was! I'll definitely do that more often--if Lucy cooperates.
Now, the house is mostly clean. I'll run the vacuum tomorrow when everyone's awake. I've washed and folded several loads of laundry this week, and made dinner twice. I also did some online shopping and found some cute shoes for myself on Zappos.com--free overnight shipping and no tax! Does it get better than that?
Any suggestions on how to sub as the primary chorister this Sunday? I've decided I'd much rather teach Relief Society than singing time. Luckily, the regular chorister had everything typed out and already planned. I just have to do what the paper says. It should be fun, and the boys are excited for me to be in the "big Primary" with them.
Lucy and I are off the Park City for some Easter dress shopping tomorrow. The boys are hanging out at home. It should be a fun day!

CPK

Today our neighborhood playgroup went up to California Pizza Kitchen in the Gateway for a field trip. We had 20+ kids there (not counting babies in strollers) to have a tour and make their own kid-size pizza. The restaurant did it all for free! Most of the group got there too late for the tour, so the kids just made pizzas and colored. It was so much fun! Thanks, CPK! To show my appreciation, I ordered a mango chicken tandoori pizza to take home to Shea. Yummy!

I tried to get the kids to shop with me, but after 4 stores they were ready to go home and play outside. I don't blame them, but I couldn't drive all the way up to Gateway and not look! So, we're home. Let the playing begin.

I hope this weekend involves a nap for me at some point. Lucy decided she wasn't comfortable, didn't feel good, or wasn't interested in sleeping last night. She kept crying and then wiggling around. We finally went to the couch so we wouldn't disturb Shea, and I suffered through the night. You know those nights that feel like they're never going to end? Needless to say, I had a Diet Coke with me in the car at 9:30 this morning.

This is cute Baby Audrey who came to visit us earlier this week while her mom and I made invitations! Love those big, blue eyes...

Spring is coming--yea!

Just another week...
I had nothing on the calendar, but my days seemed to be filled with playing boys, a sick and teething baby girl, a trip to Taipan for new bedroom lamps and a "Spring-y" feeling wreath for the front door, making invitations for Ashley's baby shower in two weeks, resuming my working out with my friends, and all the other obligations/demands/joys of motherhood.
I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.
I'm grateful for six little hands that want to hold mine.
I'm grateful for three small pairs of rosebud lips that love to give kisses (the tiniest pair gives open-mouthed ones--she's just learning, and it's just melts me).
I'm grateful for three little voices that call me mommy, ma ma (just this week!), and sometimes MOM!!!!
I'm grateful for a husband who is a righteous example, a worthy priesthood holder, a hard-working bread winner, and a loving best friend.