Happy Birthday Halle

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALLE!!!!!

I can't believe that my baby girl is 7 today. Where has the time gone? I'm amazed that 7 years ago today she was placed in my arms. This beautiful baby girl. I remember being terrified that this little person was dependent totally and completely on me and on Kyle. Wow what a responsibility. We are so lucky to have Halle. She is the most amazing special little girl. She brings us so much happiness and joy it is wonderful. I love that little girl more today than I ever thought possible. Here are some things about Halle that I love:
1. Halle is so kind. She truly loves those around her. She is always looking for ways to help other people. She wants to help anyone who looks like they need it.
2. Halle is so artistic. She loves to create pictures and drawings. She is always making me something new and so creative.
3. Halle loves music. She practices her piano diligently everyday and loves learning new songs and concepts.
4. Halle is so smart. This has been a big year for school and boy has she learned a lot. My favorite thing is hearing her read. She reads every chance that she gets. She now is hoping to find a flashlight so that she can read in bed after I turn out the lights.
5. Halle has a beautiful smile that lights up a room.
6. Halle is such a girly girl. She would wear a dress everyday if she could even when it is 30 below and blizzarding outside.
7. Halle loves gardening. She is always planning what we will grow and is constantly reading books about how to grow vegetables and flowers and anything else that she can think of.

Those are just a few of the things that I love about Halle. What a special day.

In honor of Halle's birthday we had a party today. I was so stressed out about a party for a bunch of girls but it actually worked out really well. The girls had an absolute blast and were hilarious to watch and listen to. Halle wanted to have a flower party so we did a bunch of flower related things. She really wanted a flower cake so here is my attempt at a sunflower cake. Someday I am going to take some cake decorating classes so that they turn out better but regardless of the amateur attempt she loved it.

My sunflower cake. The funniest part was the girls couldn't understand that I had made it. One of the girls kept saying " YOU made it. I thought cakes come out of the Safeway book" they were so cute.


The girls painted terracotta flower pots. They kind of got a little crazy with the paint but they really made some pretty pots. Here they are painting away.


They also made gardening visors. Here they all are wearing their newly decorated visors. they were so proud of the way they decorated them. They kept telling me how much they liked art. One of the girls told me that art is her favorite thing because it only has one rule. When I asked what the rule is she said ( with the hugest grin on her face) You just have to have fun!! What a smart kid. They had so much fun.


Here they all are while Halle was opening her gifts. Have you all heard of Web...ki..nz( Sorry I don't want that to be picked up on google or anything)? They are all the rage with Halle and her friends. She got 4 from her friends and 1 from Grannie and one from us. She was over the moon. I'll post another picture later of all of the WEbKi...NZ. They are such a funny group.



One last picture of them after blowing out the candles. All in all I think it was a success. Lots of dancing and fun had by all. I am exhausted and ready for bed but it was worth all the work to see our little girl so happy and feeling so special. talk to you soon.

Ponderings

Spring break is just about over and between you and me it's been a really long week. I think that I have been having a confidence crisis in my parenting abilities. I've been really feeling like I am not up to the challenge of raising these kids in a way that they deserve. Has that ever happened to any of you. I'm not sure what has brought it on but it's been tough. I've decided that a lot of it is my own fault. I think that I put way too much pressure on myself to be perfect. if my house isn't always tidy I feel like I have failes. If my kids fight I feel like I have failed. If I don't get through my daily To-Do list I feel like I have failed and on and on it goes. So here's what I've decided.... I'm not perfect and I don't think that I'm going to attain perfection in the near future. WOW what an awakening, I know you are all laughing out there because anyone who knows me knows that I am probably farther from being perfect than everyone else you know. I never thought of myself as close to perfect but the EXPECTATION I put on myself are killing me. So here's the plan. I am not going to aim low but I am going to try to be more realistic. No one is going to die if I can't keep everything tidy every minute of every day. However I think my kids will appreciate the extra time I can devote to them if I stop striving for always being perfect because in reality are they going to remember how clean their house always was or are they going to remember that their mom played with them, taught them and had fun with them. I don't want them to think back and remember me as always being grouchy and too busy cleaning or having a nervous breakdown to spend quality time with them. I think I need to make a sign for my door that says. If you enter this house between the hours of 8am and 8pm please ignore the mess I'm busy trying to be a better mom, or something to that effect. I'm sorry you all had to wade through my weird rantings but I just had to get this out of my brain. I don't want to always be stressed out. I definitely want to be perfect but I'm willing to work at it for the rest of this lifetime. Thanks for the listening ear. Enjoy your day. Talk to you soon

Memory Monday

I know that I am once again late for memory Monday but here goes. This weeks question is:

WHAT MOVIES CAN YOU WATCH OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN?
This one I have to think about. I really love musicals. I could watch the Sound of Music again and again. I also love Pride and Prejudice ( both the BBC version and the new Kiera Knightley version). Hmmmmmm...embarrasingly enough I love High School Musical. Sometimes I make Halle watch it just because I want to ( who knew I was such a geek). I also really love the original 3 Star Wars movies. I'm a sucker for romance and a happy ending. I think that Enchanted may also become a favorite. You just can't go wrong when a fairy tale comes to life. Oh yeah I really love Mary Poppins too. I think I am stuck mentally at age 9

It's funny doing these Memory Monday's has really shown me how much of a sappy romantic I really am. Kyle if you're reading this take the hint. I need more romnace in my life!!! I love you. Tlak to you soon.

Fun Stuff

Here are just some fun pictures from the last couple of weeks.

Halle and Brady are passionate about Uno it's great that they are able to play together if I have to get something done. It's so fun to play with them. They get vicious with all the plus 2's and 4's. It's hilarions to watch them try to gang up on Kyle and myself when we play together.


Adam has always loved his bathtime in the tub so the other day when Kyle was doing the dishes we thought we would let Adam play in the water in the sink. He was in heaven. He splashed and played for so long. Now anytime he sees the sink he figures he should play in the water.


One day last week I took the kids to Mcdonald's (my least favorite place on the planet). In the kids meals they were givng dressup stuff. Brady got this pirate bandanna but it fit Adam better. He looked hilarious as our little pirate.


One last picture, Adam looked so funny in these silly foam glasses that I had to include. Hope you enjoy the pictures. Talk to you soon.

Candle

This is my new favorite thing. When Kyle and I went to the home and garden trade show I had to stop at the Salt City Candle booth. I had to buy a new pomegranate candle but I also decided to try a new one. This is a rootbeer scented candle and let me just tell you. It is the best thing I've smelled in a long time. I love the way it makes my house smell. If you ever get the chance you've got to try it. Talk to you soon

Adam's Easter

Adam enjoyed his first Easter. It was quite comical. Kyle was in the living room with Adam while he was playing on the floor. I walked in to see my sweet 8.5 month old son eating a mini chocolate bar through the wrapper looking like he was foaming chocolate from the mouth. It was hilarious. He was so mad at us when we took it away. these pictures are priceless.


Adam definitely enjoyed he first taste of Easter chocolate. Hopefully he doesn't become a chocoholic like his brother.

Adam also has discovered a favorite new toy. While the kids decorated their buckets he sat on the floor and had a blast banging on a metal bowl with my wooden spoon. I think I've created a monster and quite possibly lose my sanity from the incessant banging. Why can't he just play with baby toys like normal babies? He loves the remote control, the phone, and now spoons and bowls. Who knew?

I know that I've posted pictures of Adam in his swing but I had to post another one because he loves it so much. This is what he did while the kids hunted their Easter eggs in the backyard. Talk to you later.

Easter Fun

Easter has come and gone and boy did we have fun. It was a great weekend with, amazingly enough, no fighting. The kids had a blast doing all sorts of fun Easter stuff.We made easter cookies( Thank-you Pillsbury). Brady saw the package when we were grocery shopping and had to have the special easter chocolate chip cookies. They weren't as good as homemade but they worked for the kids.

Halle thought she should pose with the cookies.

This year instead of Easter baskets we decided to help the big bunny out by decorating our own buckets (thank-you for the great idea Tonya). I can't believe how much the kids loved it. They took the idea and ran with it. Halle decided that hers should look like a bunny so of course Brady's also had to look like a bunny as well.


Halle with her bunny bucket.



Brady and his bunny bucket with it's millions of stickers eating one of his special easter cookies. He loves any cookie.




The kids decorating their buckets. They must have sat doing that for almost an hour. It was amazing that it held their attention for so long with no fighting. They are going to have to decorate things more often.



We also hunted eggs on the backyard. The kids thought life couldn't get much better. Brady ate so much chocolate I thought that he would be stuck on those steps forever. What cute kids we have. It was quiet to be home by ourselves for Easter this year but in a way it was relaxing. We missed seeing family and enjoying a traditional Easter dinner but Kyle loved BBQing steaks after church on Sunday instead. Hope you all enjoyed your Easter. Talk to you soon

Funny Video.

Hey there friends. I have found this funny video which you all have to see. Enjoy

Memory Monday.

DESCRIBE ANY SPECIAL "COLLECTIONS" THAT YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW.
Hmmmmmm... I don't think I really have any special collections. Kyle would say that I collect junk LOL but I don't collect anything really. Maybe I should start but I'm not really sure what I am passionate enough about to want to collect. I'm going to have to think on this one.
Just as a little side note Brady was so funny tonight. We has a GREAT FHE and after we were eating our green cake with green icing in honor of St. Patrick's Day. I said to Kyle that I thought I wanted another piece and he spelled out the word LATER. the rest of the conversation went like this:
Halle: Dad that spells later.
Kyle: (dumbfounded)
Connie: Guess we know that we can't spell anything anymore since Halle can spell so well.
Kyle: Ok Halle what about D-A-R-N I-T
Halle Dad that's Darn It
Brady:( as loud as can be) S-T-O-P. That spells Stop.

What a funny boy he just had to get in on the action and the only bigger word he knows how to spell is stop. It was so cute trying to see him be like his big sister.
I'll post more on our fun FHE later. Talk to you later

Tagged

So I was tagged by Jaime so you all get to learn more about me
About Me
A. Rules of the Game are posted at the beginning.
B. Each Player answers about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player tagges 5 others and leaves a message on their blog letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog for directions.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?
10 years ago I was in my second year at BYU. It was a really tough year and I am glad that I don't have to repeat it.

2. 5 things on my to do list:
a) clean the bathroom.
b) learn to sew
c) lose weight
d) finish our renovations
e) run in the Cornfest fun run

3. What snacks do I enjoy?
I love snacks. Cheesecake. Reese's peanut butter cups.

4. 3 bad habits
a) eating
b) biting my nails.
c) always saying yes!

5. What would I do if I were instantly a billionaire?
I would take my entire family and extended family to Disneyland and Hawaii. i would pay off all of our debt and pay someone to finish the renovations on our house.

6. 6 places I have lived.
1. Victoria, B.C.
2. Barrhead, AB
3. Edmonton, AB
4. St. Albert, AB
5. Cardston,AB
6. Provo, UT
7. Prince Rupert,BC
8. Lethbridge,AB
9. Medicine HAt, AB
10. Taber,AB OOps I got carried away

7. 5 jobs I have had:
1. Dairy Queen
2. Remington Carriage Centre Tourist info/Gift shop
3. MTC Bookstore
4. Sears
5. Safeway
6. Please Mum

8. 5 things most people don't know about me:
a) I love the original 3 Star Wars movies. I think I could probably quote them.
b) I am scared to death of big groups of people. I never feel comfortable. I like to fade in the background if possible
c) I really want to finish my university degree
d) I dream of traveling the world with Kyle and my family.
e) I love old movies especially musicals, you can't top the Sound of Music ( geeky i know)

So there you go. Now you all know more about me. Thanks Jaime for the tag.

Fun Times

On Saturday we went to visit Kyle's Grandma's in Magrath. I got this cute picture of Adam with Grandma . She looks so good considering she had a stroke just a few weeks ago don't you think?
Shadow has been loving the warm weather. We have been palying a lot of ball with her. She still hasn't figures out that it goes easier and faster if she would just give us the ball.
Brady is loving the sandbox. He has been using his trucks and shovels to build us lots of fun things.
I wish that I had some fun pictures of Halle to post but I seem to take pictures while she is at school. I' m going to take some after school tomorrow. the next picture is of the boys. Brady ahs been trying to teach Adam how to play swords with him . With Dad's help he holds his own. Just look how happy they both are.
I hope that all is well with everyone. Talk to you soon

Weekend fun

Spring has finally arrived in Taber. I am thrilled. The kids are loving the nice weather palying outside in the backyard for hours on end.

Adam has loved being able to swing in the baby swing we have for our swing set. I think that he would spend all day long out there if he could. Brady has been enjoying the sand box and the sunshine. Halle is not in the video because I took it on Friday while she was at school. The kids had a PD day today and spent a couple of hours outside cleaning out the garden so it will be ready for us to plant. They also filled the wheelbarrow with mud and water and all sorts of gross stuff to make stew. it was really quite gross to see but it kept them busy so I won't complain.

On Sunday Brady got to give his first Primary talk and he absolutely loved it. Halle gets to give a talk this coming Sunday. It's been a busy couple of weeks for primary. I have to do sharing time on Sunday. I really need some ideas if any of you have them pass them my way.

Memory Monday

It's Memory Monday time again. Today I had to do my own memory, today is our 8th anniversary. I can't believe that Kyle and I got married 8 years ago today. It has gone by incredibly quickly. 8 years ago we were just starting out. In a little tiny apartment together for the first time and now 8 years later we have 3 beautiful kids and have made a wonderful life for ourselves here in Taber. I love Kyle so much and have loved the last 8 years so much I treasure these years so much. If I knew how to scan in pictures ( I'm a little computer illiterate) I would post wedding pictures to show you all how young we looked. Kyle I love you and love every minute that we get to spend together.

Memory Monday. Oops it's Tuesday!

I've been trying to use this blog as a very informal journal of some of the fun things that we have been doing. So I've decided to participate in a thing called Memory Monday from another blog that I read. This weeks challenge was to fill out this quiz about yourself so here goes.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My mom told me once that I was named after someone my dad had dated but that she liked the name so Connie( actually Constance) I became.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? I cried on Sunday during Sacrament meeting. It was testimony meeting and during the meeting Brady leaned over to me and said "Mom it's your turn to talk in the microphone you never do it and it's my turn too. I then proceeded to tell him that maybe it should be his dad's turn and not mine but he was very firm that I had to be the one to get up there. So Brady in his socks and myself and Adam all trudged up to the pulpit. He gave such a sweet little testimony I just couldn't believe what a sweet and incredibly brave little boy he is. He wasn't scared at all. me on the other hand. I was terrified. The Spirit really touched me though and reminded me that my children teach me so much and that I need to be more like them. needless to say I cried throughout giving my own testimony.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes!

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? definitely Honey Ham

5. IF YOU WERE SOMEBODY ELSE, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I hope so. I try really hard to be a good friend to those around me but who knows, I am a little boring and sometimes on the quiet side, I might not notice myself if I was somenone else.

6. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Um...YEAH! But I try not to very often.

7. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes. I sure don't like them when I am sick though.

8. WOULD YOU EVER BUNGEE JUMP? Not a chance. I am not an adventure seeker in any way shape of form. Heights terrify me and jump off of a bridge is not even appealing.

9. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? I don't like cereal!!! I never eat it. I really hate soggy foods so cereal is way up there with the not unless I am starving foods!

10. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?No. I just slide my shoes off! Actually my favorite shoes at the moment don't have laces but I still wouldn't untie them.

11. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? I hope so. I think when push comes to shove I can withstand anything that is headed our way but you never know. I really don't want to have to deal with bad things if I can help it. I try to be strong for my family. I hope that sprirtually I can become stronger everyday by doing all of the thigns that I am supposed to do. Physically I am a wimp. I would really like to try to get my body stronger but we'll see how it goes.

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?I love mint chocolate chip and Rolo and double chocolate... I love all ice cream except strawberry. I really, really dislike strawberry ice cream.

13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their smile.

14. RED OR PINK? Definitely red but in the last few years I have branched out into pink just a little bit.

15. WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU STRUGGLE WITH ABOUT YOURSELF? I really struggle with self-confidence. I always feel like I'm not good enough or smart enough or thin enough or enough of anything else. I always felt invisible when I was younger and I am really trying to feel more secure in who I am as a person, a wife, a mother.

16. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING RIGHT NOW? Blue jeans and white sport socks, no shoes.

17. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? A peanut blossom cookie. ( Peanut butter cookie with a chocolate rosette in the middle) I just made them while doing this. They are so good. Come on over and have one so that i don't eat them all.

18. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO?My kids talk to each other.

19. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Not really sure, maybe green or brown?

20. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE SMELLS? I love cinnamon, vanilla, fresh baked bread and the way that it smells right after it rains. I really love the way really new babies smell.

21. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?Tonya.

22. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH?I really enjoy tennis.

23. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? Dark blonde with a few light highlights

24. WHAT IS YOUR EYE COLOR?hazel but it depends what I wear. The colors of my clothes affect the way my eyes appear.

25. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?No although I probably should since I am almost blind in my left eye.

26. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FOOD? I love food, but one of my favorites is lasagna. YUM. I also really love cheesecake and my moms japanese chicken. I could go on but I won't.

27. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?Happy endings. i figure if I'm going to sit down and watch a movie it better end well. I get terrified in scary movies. I don't watch them. If Kyle wants to watch one he has to doit without me. I just get to scared.

28. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer. Winter is fun for about a week but then it is just too hard with bored little ones in the house. I love to be able to get outside with them and play.

29. HUGS OR KISSES? Both!

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Game Plan. It was really funnyin a cheesy Disney way that I love. Oh wait, if kids movies count then it was Hot Wheels 3. Yup, I have an exciting life.

31. FAVORITE DESSERT? Cheesecake!!!!!!!

32. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW?Mothering With Spiritual Powerby Debra Sansing Woods and D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton. I am enjoying them both.

33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Nothing. We have a laptop so no mouse although I would like to get a wireless mouse for the kids to use.

34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Election coverage while reading a book. The Conservatives won again.

35. FAVORITE SOUNDS?I love music especially church music and classical. I really love old music and some new stuff as well. I love hearing my kids get along and when they play with their dad and laugh and laugh and laugh. I love to hear the door open when Kyle gets home ffom work and when the kids read scriptures with us and say thei prayers at night. I also really love SILENCE which I don't hear very often.

36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? The Beatles... There is no contest, I love the Beatles.

37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Greece. What an amazing place to go. But I really preferred Italy and France. Actually Hawaii is a favorite too. i can't wait until our kids are older and we can do some more traveling.

38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I'm not really sure. You tell me? It goes back to the self-confidence issue I think.

Wow. That was a long quiz. Most of the memory Monday things are not like this but of course this is when I chose to start. Now you all know way more about me than you ever wanted to but life will go on. Talk to you soon