Wow! A Long Time!

Mya turned 4 in September and had a barbie birthday cake, she also had cupcakes at grandmas and mini cupcakes at preschool. Her first day of preschool was her birthday. She loves school and learning, her favorite thing about school is her teacher. She is learning to talk to people without being shy and really likes to ride in dads pickup to school. Chaysee recently turned 18 months and is continuing to grow. She is starting to talk a lot and we love hearing what she has to say. She can make the sounds of most animals, which is really funny and her favorite book is the three little pigs. Mya also has a neighbor boy who adores her. He valiantly runs to her side and always helps her. Last weekend at a soccor game he brought her a picture (he drew) of a boy and girl holding hands, he told her it was him and her, she blushed. What am I going to do. Then he came over to play the other day and Mya and Abe had their wedding, oh yes immediately I think of Full House, when Stephanie or Michelle gets married for pretend and laugh. They decided to hug instead of kiss, which I am greatful for. LOL! My neighbor and I also took the kids on a walk to look for leaves last weekend and they had a blast, it was such a relaxing way to spend such a beautiful afternoon, there are not going to be very many warm days anymore. Don't know what I have missed but I am hoping to stay caught up with this :)

Getting back into a routine

This summer we had a chore/reward chart and because the kids did what we agreed on they got to go mini golfing and then to ice cream-they loved it! Our neighbors left a batman mask at our house and Chaysee loves to chase the kids around the house, I don't think she realizes what she looks like. We also took the kids to the park the day before Zek started school and they had a ton of fun. We are sad to see the summer go, but I am glad to get the kids back on a schedule.

Zek started school this week and likes it a lot. It is hard to believe he is in second grade. He is making friends and loves PE (like every year its his favorite part of the day). Mya starts preschool this Tuesday, which is her birthday, but she is excited to start learning. She asked me the other day why she can't read to letters like zek, I told her she would learn and she got upset and said not at preschool. When I asked her how she knew this she said Zek told her you don't learn to read in preschool, I guess I will have to work with her. I didn't know she would be so ambitious about reading. The kids are all growing, they make me laugh almost everyday. Chaysee has started throwing fits, I hope it doesn't last long. I start school on the 20th, 18 credits, its going to be tough but good to get closer to being done. I am glad to be getting back to having a schedule. So just a short story about the Chaysee pictures, she thinks she should be able to fit into the doll basket. I wish I had a video to show but she is so funny. She stands in there and yells so I sit her down and she is mad because she is stuck, what is a mom to do?

Family Vacation

Last week we were able to meet Scotts parents in Montana at Glacier National Park. We had a lot of fun adventures that we decided to repeat in 5 years...Got to have more time to prepare for hiking LOL!! We arrived Sunday afternoon to hot salsbury steaks (which Scott loves, and I have failed at making) set up camp, visited and went to bed. The next morning we headed to the park and drove the "road to the sun" I got extremely car sick, didn't see much. Thankfully Scotts dad took a lot of pictures, which I am hoping he wants to share. After stopping for lunch we headed out on St. Marys trailhead to see the waterfall (1.5 mile hike) it was a pretty low key hike, the kids were able to do and it really was beautiful. We got back to camp and had a late dinner. The next day after lunch we headed out again, not knowing the exact plan (had I known I would have never gone, but am now thankful I did). We started out on this hike it was pretty steep, I thought "what was grandpa thinking?" we kept going. Zek had a blister, took off his shoe and walked 50% of the hike with only one shoe on. Mind you the whole time we were hiking there was MAJOR complaining, crying, arguing...finally after Mya and I were alone and way behind, Grandpa came to rescue and carried Mya on his shoulders the rest of the way. To be honest I didn't think I was going to make it. I just kept thinking one foot in front of the other. When we got to the top is was amazing. Such gratification and the beautiful sight from above. Thats when Grandpa told us it was 3.6 miles up 1800 feet!!! I am glad he didn't tell me that when we started, because I would have said no. On a happier note the way down was very plesant, no complaining. That night the kids got to swim and have wonderful tin foil dinners. The next day Grandma and I were feeling that out of shape feeling so we opted to keep the kids at camp and play games while grandpa and and Scott went on a 10 miler up 4500 feet. We were glad to stay at camp. We had a really great time and the kids already want to go back, I would recommend Glacier to everyone. And yes we were there the same time as the escaped convicts, eventhough we didn't know it and only a week after an entire family was killed by bears (Scott informed me the bears were killed, which didn't make me feel much better LOL)

Daughter like Father

This morning when my alarm went off, so I could go walking this is what I saw in my bed that made me smile. Chaysee was up a lot last night and I wasn't very happy about it but when I saw this it made me happy!

PS ADVOCARE MIXER at my house on Wednesday 6:30, its going to be a blast! What are you waiting for?

Mexican Lasagna by Brittani Naylor

I had some requests to post this quick and easy meal.

8 in flour tortilla shells
1 15 oz can of chili
1 15 oz can black beans
1 15 oz can refried beans
1 C shredded cheese
1 8 to 10 oz can of taco sauce (or you can make your own)

Spray nonstick cooking spray in a medium size microwavable bowl. Mix beans, chili, cheese and taco sauce. Layer tortillas then bean mixture. End with tortillas on top. Cover and microwave for 10 min (yes I said Microwave). Garnish with sour cream and salsa.
My kids thought this was the best dinner, although they think that of any food that has to do with tacos! Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Summer Fun

We have had a really fun and yet busy summer. Chaysee is walking and she thinks she is so cool. She wants to be outside all the time and decided the grass is not so bad when you can walk. We have also enjoyed the water park, lake, free movies(Aliens in the Attic, Planet 51, Alvin and Chipmunks the Squekal) and the library. The kids seem to be with friends or have friends at least once during the day. It has been hard to keep them from being bored, but I try to keep the busy. The other day Zek was playing legos and Scott and I were on the couch and out of no where Zek starts singing "Bad Romance" from Lady Gaga. Scott and I were laughing so hard we were crying, the funny part wasn't that he didn't realize we were listening but that he actually knew all the words and he sung both parts! What a kid, he always keeps us laughing. Mya loves the water park, she wants to go all the time and she also enjoys being Zeks little shadow no matter what he is doing, which he doesn't so much like. We also have tried some new ideas for dinner and one was Aunt Brittanis Mexican Lasagna, the kids thought they were in Heaven! Zek has started reading the magic treehouse series and really likes the stories. The kids are getting excited for fall and the activites that come with it.

The Lake

When my neighbor called and asked if we wanted to go to the lake and let the kids play in the water, I wasn't so sure they would want to go without a boat, but they had a blast. The sand was sooo hot on our feet by the time we got to the water everyone was running in. Chaysee loved every minute, she not only ate the sand but tried to eat all the food we dropped in the sand (extra protein i guess). The kids built a and dug for a long time and then they would go get buckets of water and watch the water run down their ditch into the lake. Mya gave my neighbor a scare. Scott and I packed up and took Chaysee home for a nap and Zek and Mya stayed a little longer with our friends. Come to find out my neighbor heard Mya yell Zeks name as she was cleaning up the toys and then didn't hear her again, when she looked up Mya was up to her forehead in water not even splashing, My friend dove in the water and swam to save her, she was really shaken up but she held back her tears and was extremely brave. Thanks TYRA for saving Myas life, I don't know what I would do with out you.

Happy 3rd of July

Chaysee ate loved the ice cream and when she knew she had everyones attention she put it everywhere but in her mouth!

We had a great 4th celebration. BBQ, Smores, Swimming, fireworks and a lot of fun with family and friends. Today we give thanks to those who have fought and are still fighting for our country. I read a cool saying once..."Land of the FREE because of the BRAVE" what a powerful statement. Today as we celebrate our independence, let us remember those who fought to make this a free land. When I asked the kids what they thought we were celebrating they said

Zek: our fathers and our flag

Mya: I don't know but its fun

I guess we need to do a lesson on independence day :)

HAPPY 4th of JULY!