First Day of School 2009-2010

Just a few pictures of the kids on their first day of school for the 2009-2010 school year. Isn't it funny how happy and excited everyone is on the first day back. So many new things..... new teachers, new clothes, new crayons. I just hope the new doesn't wear off to soon!

Back to School Traditions

Here we are beginning a new school year. I can't believe that this year 3 of our babies will go to school. I have dreamed of the day my house would be less crazy and of all the things that I would accomplish while my children were at school and now as that time gets nearer I'm sad for all the time they are away. Isn't that just how life goes? You never appreciate what you have til it's gone. Luckily I still have Sadie Jane to kiss and cuddle and keep me busy.

The night before the first day of school we had everyone's favorite dinner (chicken bakes, grapes, green beans (not everyone's favorite) and last but not least Kool-Aid). The kids then got Father's Blessings for the new school year. A new school year celebration!!!!

She thinks my tractor's sexy!!

We spent last weekend at my parent's house so that we could attend the annual Rimmer reunion with 5 generations of Rimmer's coming together in Arkansas. Hay season is in full swing on the farm and Shaun took the chance to play with "big boy toys" as he called them, and raked hay for my Dad.

Spencer's New Do

This week I gave Spencer a buzz. It has been over a 100 degrees for a while now (unseasonably hot and humid) and he is always so sweaty that I thought it would be a good time to give his head a little break from the mini fro he normally sports. He was so cute when he went into the bathroom to see his new hair cut in the mirror. He grabbed his head and yelled, "WHAT??" After the initial shock wore off he really liked his new do. Especially the next morning when I informed him that we didn't need to wet, gel, and comb his head full of hair.

Happy Birthday Abby!!

Abby had her last single digit birthday this year. Yes our sweet little Abby is now 9 and as lovely as ever with her beautiful blue eyes, perfectly sun kissed hair and darling freckled nose!! We had fun singing Happy Birthday and eating a cake that Abby designed and decorated herself. She got a set of scriptures and a pocket sized hymn book from Mom and Dad, a scripture case and great scripture stickers from Grandma and Grandpa, a new game for her Digi from Nanna and Poppa, and a subscription to American Girl Magazine from Uncle Shad and Aunt Corie. She said it was the best birthday ever!

That's a Wrap!!

OK, so here we are at the end of another school year and I'm saying WOW that went fast! The end of the year is always fun with parties, graduations, programs, field days, award ceremonies, and the mixed emotions of happiness for summer break/ sadness of missing the daily interaction of school friends. Here are a few of the pictures I took over the last few weeks of school. I always wish I would have taken more but when I'm in the moment my hands are full (yes, even if you don't see Sadie Jane in the pictures she was there and making it a little tricky to get good shots) and I have to tell myself "next time".

Spencer graduated from Preschool!! He really enjoyed his two days a week with Ms. Catherine and Ms. Renna this year, but he is so excited to be in Kindergarten next year. Spencer is such a smart little boy and he has such a kind heart. He will do great! The other day he was sitting on my lap cuddling with me and I told him someday he would grow into a man and be to big to sit on my lap and cuddle and that I would be very sad. He told me to not worry because he would just sit beside me instead. Ohhh how I love that little guy!!

Lily had a wonderful Kindergarten year and we just loved her teacher, Mrs. Jenkins. At the beginning of the year, I wondered what Lily would be like in a classroom all day long, 5 days a week. She has the personality of a kitten, sweet and irresistibly cute, but watch out if she gets the claws out!! Turns out she is a great leader. In the mock presidential election she won and became president of her class and at the end of the year received the "Life Saver" award as her teacher teared up saying that she was very dependable and responsible. I was so proud and hope she can always steer her strong spirit in the right direction.

Abby had a very exciting 3rd grade year! She mastered her multiplication facts, learned to write in cursive, and read countless books! She is growing into a young lady and we are in awe! Abby adored her teacher whose name was also Abby, but known around our house and Mrs. Sandoval. We really were lucky to get Mrs. Sandoval. Abby thrived in her classroom and with the school change Mrs. Sandoval helped smooth the transition. We were so proud of Abby when she got a commended score on both her Reading and Math TAKS test. YEA ABBY!!!

Bad hair day

WOW! That is some crazy hair.

It's not easy being green.....

A few nights ago I went up to check on Spencer before I went to bed and had to get the camera to take a picture of what I found. I couldn't help but think that before I know it Spencer will be too grown up and I will long to find him in his bed cuddled up to Froggy with a picture book half read. Spencer loves Froggy and I love how Froggy looks so happy to have Spencer using him as a pillow. A Toy Story moment!

So blessed!

So here I am, 30 years old. I'm not sure I ever imagined that I could actually be 30 and I definitely couldn't imagine what my life would be like at 30, but my Dad likes to say the only way to not get old is to die young so I'll have to say I'm 30 and loving it!!! I could have never imagined what a great life I would have at 30. That I would have 4 absolutely adorable children and a wonderful husband who makes it possible for me to stay home with them and soak in all of the joy and frustration that they dish out. I can't believe that at 19 I was smart enough to snag a great guy like Shaun.

On my birthday I spent the day doing the same ol' same ol'. Driving carpools, running errands, cleaning, mediating arguments, attending school events, homework, and last but not least trying to figure out what to make for dinner. I received calls and flowers from family and friends wishing me happy birthday as I went about my busy (and some what frustrating) day and it was nice to know that I was loved and thought of, but my favorite part of the day was when Shaun helped the kids surprise me with a cake (cheesecake) and flowers. After having to make a mad dash to the grocery store for last min. dinner ingredients (with all four kids in tow, so it wasn't much of a dash) I came home to find Shaun home early with everything set up and roses for each of the kids to give me. The excitement in their eyes was heart warming. They sang a great happy birthday and smothered me with hugs and kisses. Right then I felt paid in full for the days work and very thankful for the life I have been given. Shaun had lined up a babysitter (without me knowing impressive) so we headed out for dinner at Chipotle and to see a movie. Maybe 30 won't be so bad after all!!

Spring Break in Arkansas

Abby and Lily spent their Spring Break in Arkansas with Nanna and Poppa. They had a week full of fun! Lots of trips to the small town grocery store (Thunderbirds) for treats with Poppa and lunch dates to Joe's Pizza with Nanna. The girls loved riding 4-wheelers around the farm and having big girl time to scrapbook and get pedicures.

They made a trip to Wye Mountain for the daffodil festival. Little cousin, Maya, shared the day and made all the pictures even cuter. They were able to bring home bulbs to plant here to remember the day.

Poppa got new German Shorthair puppies to train to hunt birds and the girls were thrilled to get to go with Poppa to pick up the puppies and spend the week welcoming them to their new home. Abby and Lily named the new arrivals, Dot and Spot. The puppies fell in love with the girls and the girls enjoyed spoiling them. I'm sure Dot and Spot won't get Poppa to run in circles in the field with them anytime soon.

Lily tried to give Dot and Spot instruction on how to point a bird, but it always ended in a wrestling match.

On Saturday it rained, so they loaded up and went to town to spend some time at the Bowling Alley. This was the first time the girls have been bowling since they have gotten big enough to carry their own balls, and Nanna said they did great! Lily thought the shoes were silly.

Definitely a Spring Break to remember! Thanks Nanna and Poppa.

Really??

I know! When Shaun and I were driving down to San Antonio last month we came up behind this car, and as we got closer I couldn't believe my eyes. The 4-wheeler was tied down to the top of the car! We discussed how the guy got the 4-wheeler up there (there was a spoiler on the trunk and the hood seemed to be in good condition) and the only conclusion we could come to is he either had a fork lift or he (with help) lifted it up there(he was a REALLY big guy). Any other ideas?? I'm glad we were able to snap a picture because it's hard to believe you could get a 4-wheeler on top of a car. Is that even legal?

Big Brother/Little Sister

Spencer and Sadie Jane are so cute together! Sadie Jane just adores her big brother and thinks he is the coolest. She is always game to go along with what ever wild idea Spencer has. Here are a few pictures of the two of them playing.

I heard whispering coming out of the TV cabinet and opened the door to these little grins. Spencer was reading Sadie the Book of Mormon, and she was just sitting there loving every second.

They spent an hour stacking and "crashing" pudding cups. You gotta love it when they have a playroom full of wonderful toys and they are playing with everyday stuff!

Because I have a Sister, I always have a Friend!!

So last week was my little sister Melissa's birthday. I wished so bad that I could take the day off and hop in the car and drive up to see her, sing her my very best Happy Birthday, and then take her to lunch. I was even more desperate when I found out Mom had a lunch date planned for Lis's birthday. I feel so close, yet so far away. Enough of my day dreaming of lazy days spent

hanging out with Lis (and all 5 of our kids, which wouldn't end up being a lazy day at all, but still lots of fun) and more about all the reasons I love having a great little sister.

Lis and I are as different as day and night. She is blond with blue eyes, I'm a brunette with brown eyes. She's an apple, I'm a pear. She has a laid back attitude, I need everything to be rigidly planned out. You would never know we were sisters if you saw us walking down the street, but she is one of my very best friends. She is a great listener and always on my side (I especially love that about her). I can always count on laughing when we're together. I love that we are now at a similar time in life and can talk about our days and laugh.

I moved to BYU when Lis was barely 14 and missed all of her teen years. I was thrilled when she made the decision to attend USU after high school and only be a few hours away. I LOVED the few occasions she needed a place to live between apartments or for the summer and I could talk her into staying with us. There were many times when I tried to reason with her on how much money she could save if she transferred to BYU and lived with us. Never talked her into moving in.

Lis has always been a wonderful Aunt to my kids. When she lived in Provo, after finishing school at USU, she would come over every week and give Shaun and I a chance to go on a date. When Aunt Lis came over it was the highlight of the week for our kids, and it was such a blessing to be able to get out of the house and know that our very young kids were happy and safe. Lis is now a wonderful mom to my darling niece, Maya. Maya, is a very lucky girl.

Lis, love you! Happy Birthday!

Aunt Lis and little Abby

Lis cuddling with Lily


Lis welcoming baby Spencer to the world

Abby visiting Lis at USU

Mr. Barrios and his soon to me Mrs.

Making Valentines!

This year we made cute little sucker Valentines (I'm a sucker for you, Valentine!) for the kids to pass out at their class parties. The kids ate a sucker while working on their cards. We kept it simple and good thing because as soon as Spencer and Lily finished eating their suckers and writing their names they bailed on me. They didn't last long tying all the cards to the suckers. Abby and I ended up putting together the Valentines by ourselves. Abby is growing up so fast. She is so helpful and fun to work with. I can seen many years of projects ahead of us!! I'm a lucky mom and I hope my kids will always enjoy hanging out around the kitchen table with me.

A little get-a-way.........

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, Shaun and I went to San Antonio for the weekend. It was so nice to have time together and remember how much we enjoy just hanging out. In everyday life we very rarely find time to eat a meal (alone and uninterrupted) together or have more than a debriefing of the current home/family issues. We love our lives, but with the kids, church callings, work, and a few other extracurriculars, we are running most of the time. What a blessing a weekend away is!!! We enjoyed just sitting and talking about all that has been on our minds lately and about all our hopes and dreams for our young family. San Antonio is a beautiful city with lots of charm. A special thanks to Nanna and Poppa for spending their Valentine's weekend with our 4 sweethearts. You can't imagine what that meant to us.

You can't visit San Antonio without seeing the Alamo.

In downtown San Antonio there is a huge Mercado. Sifting through all the imported goods from Mexico was a little flashback of our honeymoon.

The Riverwalk was amazing. The atmosphere was so relaxed and fun. We took a boat ride on the 3 miles of the river that winds through the city. I think Shaun and I would agree that the 200 year old trees growing all around the river were the stars of the show.

On our last night in San Antonio we ate at Casa Rio, the oldest restaurant on the Riverwalk. It was great to eat out on the Riverwalk. We felt like we were a world away from our everyday life. A true vacation!

Maya Baby

Happy Birthday Maya Baby! I love you so much and feel blessed to be your Auntie Ang. Hope your year is full of hugs, kisses, and fun!

Our Little Texas Tornado

Sadie is quickly transitioning into the "terrible two's" and I'm going crazy!! She is seriously getting harder by the minute to keep up with and can destroy a room in seconds. Shaun has nicknamed her our little Texas tornado. Lily was at this stage when the gulf was pounded in 2005 with all the hurricanes and he nicknamed her Hurricane Lily. I guess crazy 2 year olds (or nearly 2 year olds) remind us of mini natural disasters. Good thing Sadie Jane is so cute, it helps me laugh through my tears.

Sadie Jane had just rearranged all the plastic ware to make room for herself during a game of Hide and Go Seek.

You can't tell by this picture but Sadie Jane can really go to town on the spring horse. She really loves it when we sing Yankee Doodle while she rides. Hopefully this helps to burn some of her excess energy.

We love our Aunt Corie!

Happy Birthday, Corie!! January 28th is a very special day for the Warren Family. Dee's birthday, Corie's birthday and mine and Shaun's anniversary are all on the same day! Corie we are so happy Shad married you and gave us the most wonderful sister-in-law ever! It's been fun to have babies so close together, commiserate about the hard times of parenthood, and see our kids enjoy their cousins. You are such a fun aunt and always willing to take the time to make my kids feel so special and they know they are loved by you! I can never live up to your mani-pedi's or your glamorous photo shoots. You are so good at using all your fabulous talents in making a wonderful home and life for your family. Caleb and Janie (and Shad, too) are blessed to have you! We love you more than you know and miss you tons! Here is Corie...........

Halloween with Janie.

Washington D.C. with Abby.

Corie meeting Sadie Jane.

I love this picture! Corie is a dental hygienist and the tooth authority in our house according to my kids. Abby had her 1st loose tooth and she would not let me touch it, BUT when Aunt Corie wanted to try she said OK and without any drama had Abby's tooth out in a snap! Definitely the hero that week!

When we told the family Abby would be a "big sister".

Abby and Aunt Corie creating a sidewalk chalk birthday cake for Abby's 3rd birthday.

Corie and Lily at the Cabin.

Corie having fun at the Dallas Zoo.