So Happy Together.....

Super Mom? No thank you.

2010-08-25T22:26:00.000-06:00

Ive decided (and its taken me some time to think through this) that I don't like the term "Super Mom". For some reason Ive heard it a lot lately amongst Christian women and its got me thinkin'. Here are a few of my thoughts.

Why do we put these kinds of titles on women? As if being a mom isn't a hard enough job we gotta go handing out awards for those who are better? Better than who? others? I don't like it one bit. And its not nice. Women in general have issues with comparing them selves to other and this just makes it worse. It puts pressure on woman to be viewed by the world as something more spectacular than a "mom" but really its causing the core of who a godly mom is to crumble. Just think about it. We recognize how well she decorated her home, how clean her children are, what great parties she throws, how involved in extra curricular activities she and her kids are in, how she always looks put together, how she works out and eats healthy. None of these things matter. But if we are constantly recognizing the abilities of others and praising them for it then this becomes what is others strive for. Don't get me wrong I believe that running a house hold well can be glorifying to God but I also believe it can be what runs women into the ground and the Supermom title tends to encourage the later. As Christian women we shouldn't be encouraging this behavior that makes women want recognition from the world or even from her brothers and sisters in Christ. We should be encouraging them to seek the Lord in all their responsibilities. All the things listed above are a mom's life, these things have to be done and they should be done well....for the Glory of God, not the praise of man or other women. I will say this and hear me loud and clear: NO ONE HAS IT ALL TOGETHER! NO ONE! No matter how put together they look remember, they have struggles too and they need the grace of God each and every day just like you. We should be caring whether or not our sisters in Christ are growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, not whether they can balance 40 spinning plates on their head.

The pressure exhausts me and probably more now than ever. Ive tried to be super mom and reality is, there is just nothing super about me. I'm a sinner everyday and no matter what the outside looks like I need Jesus everyday if I'm going to make it through this life with joy. I don't find joy in throwing parties and having people comment about how fun it was, I find joy in knowing that people were able to fellowship with one another and build relationships. I don't find joy in running my kids all over the world, I find joy in watching them grow and learn and experience new things while given the opportunity to teach them about God in every aspect of life. I don't find joy in exercising, but I find joy in knowing that I'm taking care of myself so that I can be useful and be able to serve others. I don't find joy in cleaning my house but I do find joy in knowing that I am teaching my kids how to work and care for the things that the Lord has given us. Its not the visible act, its the heart attitude that only Jesus can give. What do I strive for? Man's praise or God's Glory? I know in my twisted heart that the first one jumps out way to often and yet my prayer is that in the end despite my sin God will get the glory for my life. Otherwise it was all in vain. That is what the Supermom title stands for in my eyes...vanity (and exhaustion...who can do that and not fall apart at some point...just sayin').

When I pass on to eternal life I don't want to go with a supermom symbol on my casket, I hope that people would know that I lived by God's great grace and that any accomplishments were not of my own doing, they were of a SUPER-NATURAL God.

The cutest thing!

2010-06-26T21:47:00.000-06:00

I was coming home today and as I was driving down the street I saw Jay on his bike. Thinking "I wonder where he's going" I then saw little Ty Ty on HIS motorbike taking a "ride" with his dad. There they were riding side by side....just like a pack. It was one of those moments when you say to yourself "I never want to forget this moment!" It was the cutest thing! I immediately jumped out of the car and grabbed my camera for when they were headed home!

After they got back it was Hudson's turn....I'm sure there will be many more of these in the future.

Off they go!

Cheer Camp!

2010-06-26T21:40:00.000-06:00

Kenna went to a cheer camp this week and had a blast! Selfishly I would love to push her into doing it (she is good) but I want her to want to on her own. So when she decided to go I was thrilled! A big pull is that her favorite babysitter, Brooke, is a cheerleader and she was going to be helping with the camp. She did great! I was so proud of her! She even got to do stunts! SO FUN!

Sarah, Kenna & Brooke. We love Brooke!

Crazy girls! Doing the Moose jump....that's a new one to me. HA!

My Girl is 9!

2010-06-26T21:33:00.000-06:00

Kenna birthday started out with Sweet hugs from Ty Ty! He was so excited for her that it was her Birfday!

Yummy French toast from her favorite breakfast chef....DADDY!

Then onto Achievers for a 2 hour scrapbook camp with her bestie Avery!

Here are the girls hard at work!

Girls lunch at Cheesecake Factory!

Opening presents!

Admiring their new scrapbooks!

The day ended with a little hot tubbin' and a sleep over in the pool house!

Good times!

Happy Birthday Kenna! We LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU!!!!!

13 years

2010-06-26T21:15:00.001-06:00

This anniversary ended up being....funny...later. You know how sometimes you just have those days as a couple where things aren't clicking? Well that happened to be our day. There were miscommunication and so on...nothing to really be upset about, just didn't flow smoothly. But as I thought about it, it made me laugh...I LOVE that I have been married to my best friend, the best daddy ever, my lover and...well, the person that I can have off day's with and still love just as much as the on days. Marriage isn't easy, but even on the days that don't seem to go well there is still so much to be thankful for. I'm so thankful for this man who loves me despite my sin and I love him. I pray as the years go on that I will understand grace more, God's grace and extending and receiving it in marriage...and I couldn't think of anyone better to learn that with than my Jay. I love you. Happy 13!

South Carolina

2010-06-10T18:27:00.001-06:00

Kenna and I had a sweet sweet time in SC. The city was beautiful and there was so much to see but the best was that we were with our dear dear friends again. It was wonderful and I am so thankful to the Lord for the opportunity to go and spend 5 days with the girls that we miss so much.

Kenna was so excited to see the Moffatt girls on our Mommy/Daughter trip.

Day One: We just hung out at the house and went down to the club house. THIS is the club house! How cute is that! Its a barn...I want a barn!

My first time ever eating at Chik-fil-a! LOVED it!

The girls frosted their own cakes.

April and I got out to see a movie.

Day 2: Magnolia Plantation....amazingly beautiful!

This is just their front yard! =)

Katy, Ellie, Kenna & Gracie

My favorite bridge!

Yep- We want to be Southern Bells!

I could have stayed here forever! So Beautiful!

Day 3: Tour of Downtown Charleston. Just April and I did this which was good cause it was hot, humid and we walked for 2 1/2 hours! But worth every step!

April & I in front of one of MANY gorgeous homes that we saw. I belong in the south when it comes to architecture!

Just a cute place that I would love to stay at one day!

Girls Lunch!

This was the cute little restaurant that we ate at....Poogans Porch was the name.

Day 4: Folley Beach

Kenna getting taken out by a wave!

The Moffatt's cute house!

Last day together...it was hard not to cry.

Until next time...cause there WILL be a next time, Lord willing.

Training wheels are GONE!

2010-05-27T20:45:00.001-06:00

I'm not sure how there was time for this major event in our lives this week, yet it happened right in the hustle and bustle of all the end of the school year activities....Ty Ty learned to ride his bike WITHOUT training wheels! GO TY! He literally learned in about 1 minutes time....it was unbelievable! He was so excited and the first thing he said when he got up this morning was that he wanted to go ride his bike. So pretty much all day he's been out there perfecting his skills and I have to say...its IMPRESSIVE!

Comin' atcha Mom!

Flyin' by ya Mom!

See you later alligator!

I mean....really? 1 day? What a little stud!

Ty is so proud of himself! He was even more proud when we told him that his siblings didn't learn till they were almost 5 and he is only 4...that's a big deal!~

Seriously THE cutest 4 year old ALIVE!

Other End of the year activities!

2010-05-27T20:10:00.002-06:00

It is unbelievable to me how many activities have gone on this week just to wrap things up! All fun...but I'm wiped...and I even skipped the school picnic today and sent Jax on his own! Here is what happened:

Ty finished his 6 week golf camp at Banbury....He loved it:

What 4 year old doesn't LOVE to ride around in a golf cart....next to the trophy that he got this was the highlight! Oh yeah- and about the trophy....he informed me that "its not real gold...just real gold plastic"! Ha!

It was surreal to watch my baby walk out onto the course when only a short time ago I was watching Jax do the same. Here he is being walked out by his proud daddy to his "GOLFER LESSONS". =)

Kenna's End of the Year Party:

Always excited about a party!

Mrs. Liimakka said something sweet about each of her 2nd graders. This is what she said about Kenna:

" Kenna-Our Big Sister! Your kind leadership and confident contributions give others a sense of security. You are the reliable "sister" who others can go to feeling accepted and understood. May you continue to show the compassion and understanding that our Lord has gifted you with as you grow in His grace and understanding."

Teacher gifts!

I just have to point out Kenna's shirt...it so fits her its funny! I LIKE DOING FUN STUFF! Yes you do, my dear!

Since Kenna's birthday is in June she didn't have a birthday celebration during the school year so Mrs. Liimakka made sure she got her birthday spankings! Too funny!

On to the 3rd grade she goes! You had an AMAZING year Moo....Daddy & I are SO proud of all your hard work!

Jaxon's End of the Year Party:

It had rained all morning and I was beginning to wonder WHAT was I going to do with 20 fifth graders in my house on a rainy day when it was supposed to be a fun end of the year SWIM party! But Praise the Lord he cleared the skies 1/2 hour before the party started and the kids swam for a few hours!

Class picture! They all jumped in and came out SCREAMIN'! The water was only 64 degrees! Brrrrr!

The boys in the hot tub.

A little lemonade for the man of the hour.

This is what happens when 20 fifth graders invade your house! HA! The good thing is they all leave and take their stuff with em'! They really were great kids and they had a ton of fun...that's all that matters!

Epilogos:

Epilogos is the end of the year awards ceremony. I just love how they first preface the event with the reminder that all of the awards we receive in this life are to be set at the feet of the one true King who deserves all the glory! Without him these accomplishments are not possible! The kids were also reminded that they are called to rejoice with those who rejoice, so they should be happy for those kids who receive awards for their excellence and that it should cause them to work hard and do their best for the glory of God!

Jaxon made the Headmaster's List by achieving a G.P.A between 3.5 & 3.74...we aren't sure yet what his exact scores were but since he got the award we know he was somewhere in there! Way to go Jax...my diligent fella!

Jaxon & his outstanding teacher Mrs. Rallens. Jaxon grew as a student and as a person because of the influence of this terrific lady! Thanks for a great year Mrs. R!

I'm just tired blogging the events!

Kindergarten Graduation!

2010-05-27T17:52:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was packed with end of the year events and one of those events was Kindergarten Graduation! To say that Hudson loves school is an understatement...Hudson is PASSIONATE about school and he loves every minute of learning...he gets that from me....HA! Hudson's class was the first Kindergarten class to graduate from the Ambrose School and the first to have a graduation ceremony in the new school. The setting was very ivy league! He smiled the ENTIRE time...in fact Jay and I were talking about how we have never seen him smile that much and for that long in one setting. The only time he stopped smiling was when he had to blow on his recorder! And if Hudson is smiling we are all smiling! My cheeks were tired by the end! Here are some pictures from this happy day! Oh yeah- we were also informed that Hudson class will be graduating in the year 2022 (GASP!)....how is that even possible?

Mama's Little Graduate! It really is hard for me to believe that he will be a first grader next year! sniff sniff.

The smiles were constant!

One of the mom's made these adorable caps for the kids!

Playing the recorder and showing the parents all that they learned in music this year!

Hudson getting is certificate of completion of Kindergarten! Way to go Huddy!

We love Mrs. Merkle! This is what she had to say about Huddy:

"Hudson's parents almost did not send Hudson to school this year, they were going to wait a year, but are we ever glad they didn't wait! Oh what would our class have done without him! Hudson is quiet, but doesn't go unnoticed. He is attentive and focused in class, accurate and neat on his work and he is never reluctant to work hard. He says his favorite thing that we did this year was to play the recorders."

The Class of 2022!

Hudson throwing his cap in the air! You know this one will be on his high school graduation video one day!

Enjoying snacks afterwards in the beautiful Providence room! We love The Ambrose School!

Kenna & Anna Joy

2010-05-23T22:42:00.001-06:00

Last night our dear friends the Timmons came over for dinner, which is not usually something I would share except for the fact that they have been in the hospital or confined to their homes since September 2009. This picture tugs at my heart in a big way.... for one Anna Joy is a miracle baby. When she was born she was only 1lb 13oz and today she weighs 12 pounds! It was such a blessing to get to see her, hold her and marvel at God's great love for Angie & Noah, Anna's mom & dad. Their lives have been....hard....and yet they both shine with the love of Jesus! It leaves me in awe every time I see them.

The other reason I love this picture so much is because Kenna is holding Anna. When I first told Kenna that Anna had been born and was so very small, she immediately wanted to pray for Anna. But it didn't stop there. Kenna prayed for Anna every day while she was in the hospital and even when she was able to come home Kenna continued to pray for her. Every few days Kenna would check the Timmons blog to see if there were any updates on Anna and she would run to tell me if there were new pictures or updates. I deeply admire my daughters love for other people. Her heart of compassion amazes me daily. She never forgets the faint hearted, the sick or those who are in need and she always acts out of compassion by praying for them. That she didn't eventually become distracted by other things and forget about Anna and her struggles was impressive...especially for an 8 year old. Kenna is this way because this is the gift that the Lord has given her....a compassionate heart. I praise God for this attribute in Kenna because He has used it to show me that I desperately need to grow in this area...and who better to learn from than my sweet daughter.

Kenna SO hoped that she would get to hold Anna last night so when Angie asked her if she wanted to hold her she smiled from ear to ear and I thanked the Lord for this sweet moment that my faithful daughter was able to experience. Kenna's other hope is that one day she will get to babysit Anna when she is older! =)

Thanks Ang & Noah for letting us be a part of your lives!

Good Friend, Rest, Relaxing & Sunshine make the heart glad!

2010-05-23T22:07:00.000-06:00

Jami and I have been friends for 18 years! Its hard to believe and yet its the truth. My relationship with Jami has always been an encouraging one. From the beginning of our friendship the Lord has always been the center of our conversations. We've talked about a lot of things over the last 18 years but talking is what we do best! We have not always lived near each other, although at one point we were roommates, but despite the distance between our homes our friendship has always remained strong. I thought for a while that the Lord was going to allow us to live in the same town when she moved to Boise with her family in about 5 years ago, but that didn't last as long as I had hoped. A year and a half ago they moved to Portland. As sad as this was I had great confidence in our ability to have a long distance friendship! Our family visited Jami & her family in January but in order for us girls to get all of our words out we needed a whole weekend to our selves! So to the sunshine we went! Phoenix to be exact!

This was our cute little hacienda!

We had 8 wonderful meals together!

The food was fabulous!!! And what a cute presentation!

Poolside

Massages!

This is Camelback Mountain in the background. We had really good intentions on climbing this but we would have had to be up at 5:00 am to get a good start before it got to hot! Plus...there are snakes & lizards and creepy things all over the desert...so we changed our minds and went for a 4 mile Power walk up through some of the most amazing neighborhoods!

Our last night together! We ate at the hotel restaurant and listened to live music for hours. We took advantage of happy hour for drinks and appetizers... Made fun of the guy singing (you would have too), ate WAY too much food, and of course.....talked!

Jami- I adore you and I am so thankful for your friendship! Until next time!

Hudson Killdeer!

2010-05-12T17:44:00.000-06:00

Hudson has been waiting for this day for a long time! Kindergarten Exordium day! For weeks they have been memorizing information about a bird that they were assigned and the mommies spent time driving around the city looking for bird feather! Here is my little KILLDEER!

Waiting for the exordium to begin! He LOVES school and I love that he loves it because he is smiling constantly!

The Afternoon Kindergarten Class!

Hudson reciting his Killdeer saying:

"Welcome, I'm Hudson Killdeer and I have two, yes, two black rings around my neck. I build my nest on the ground so if anyone gets too close to my eggs I use the old broken wing trick. I cry "Killdeer, Killdeer" flap my wings and pretend to be hurt. When I have led the intruder away from my nest I will suddenly fly off. "See you later Mr. Fox!""

Mrs. Merkle and her Birds!

After the show he was still beaming! He loved being on stage and he loved wearing his mask around school!

So proud of my little Killdeer!

While he was practicing this week, he would say it really fast and so I asked him if Mrs. Merkle told him to slow down so that people could understand him and this is what he tells me....

"No, she tells other people that, but I do it right so not me."

Sure enough...he gets up on stage and he says it slow and loud so everyone can hear him! I think he was just saving the true performance for the stage!

Thanks daddy for letting me go to The Ambrose School!

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T23:09:00.002-06:00

Mother's Day is often strange to me. I absolutely LOVE being a mom and think that it is the greatest privilege in the world and yet having a whole day to be celebrated makes me slightly uncomfortable. I would do this "job" with no praise for sure, but I don't want my kids to feel forced to tell me something just because its "Mother's Day". Don't get me wrong, I greatly appreciate the love that comes my way and as my kids get older it means more because the cards are written by them and not by daddy and they actually put thought into what they want to give me which is sweet and adorable. But, I would take a spontaneous "I love you Mom" on any given day over being celebrated on Mother's Day in a heart beat. So I like to think of Mother's Day as yet another day that I get to wrap my arms around the sweet and precious little people that God has given me to love and bring up in his knowledge. That is what makes me feel honored...the privilege being their mommy.

We did have a wonderful day together. It was family time much needed! I got up early to sing at church so I didn't even see anyone until they came to church...where I was showered with kisses and hugs! My fav! We then had lunch at Banbury Golf Club which was super fun cause the kids all got to pick from the buffet whatever they wanted to eat. Then we went home and let the kids swim for as long as they could handle it (a good 35 minutes...impressive). I got to take a little nap and then off to the Green Belt we went with our bikes in tow! As I was sittin up right on my new cruiser bike watching them all peddle away in front of me I thought to myself "its official...we are parents of kids...no more babies...kids." and I smiled cause I'm really likin' this kid thing. We ended the day with dinner at Baja Fresh and then lounged around all together in the living room and watched some basketball. It was a great day!

My sweet sweet Kenna! She made me the best bracelet ever and about 7 different cards. All of them with different pictures of special things she had drawn for me. She cant just give me one card...she has too many ideas and she must use them all and guess what....I LOVED them all! She is so incredibly sweet and growing up so fast.

My little Ty Ty! Hugs and Kisses ALL DAY LONG and I am not even kidding. Just about every time he passed by me he would hug me, kiss me and tell me Happy Mother's Day...it was adorable. He made me a card with help from his sister (no surprise...she's the card specialists) that had his feet print on it colored in with lots of rainbow colors. The funniest thing he said all day was "I like this Mother's Day, its really fun." He also blew lots of kisses to me while we were on our bike ride which is why I stayed in the back...to catch every single one of them!

Hudson melts my heart when he gives up these kinds of smiles and I saw this all day long! I got homemade book marks from Huddy with special messages on the back. One said "I will always love you" but my favorite was the one that said "You win. I promise you are the prityist. Love Hudson"....How adorable and funny is that!!!! I will have that book mark forever!

I look at this picture and I think "How did he get so big so fast?" But an amazing young man he is becoming. He didn't tell me Happy Mother's Day, he told me Happy Mom's Day...apparently that's more correct since he never calls me mother....I can understand that. I love watching him because he is so mature for his age and yet every once in a while he acts like a kid and I cherish those little moments more and more each year.

This really was a fun bike ride. We are quite the circus but circuses are fun, right! I loved riding my new bike...I totally felt like a little kid! Its pretty, comfy and it has a basket for heavens sake! What more could a girl want! Plus it is seriously effortless to ride...I kept telling Jay "I feel like I'm doin' nothin'!" Which he would then say "You look like your doin' nothin'" and then he would laugh at me! It was fantastic!

Abortion Website

2010-04-26T07:56:00.002-06:00

Two friends from church who are passionate about loving Jesus have designed a website about the facts of abortion. It is very well done and informative. Please visit this site and support the cause. If you know anyone who is in the situation of trying to decide to keep their baby or not, PLEASE inform them of this website. Right now at our church alone, I know of 4-6 families who would adopt an unwanted child today if given the chance. So please help get the word out so that these children have a chance and so that these families will have the chance to love these children as their own. Thank you.

http://www.exposingabortion.blogspot.com/

POOLSIDE FELLOWSHIP!

2010-04-13T09:53:00.003-06:00

Its hard to believe it is that time of year again! Poolside Fellowship is just around the corner! So tell your friends and get the dates on your calendar! Its a great time of swimming and fun but the fellowship is always so sweet! Looking forward to seeing you around the pool this summer!

Love,

Heather

38 years....38 reasons.

2010-04-12T20:33:00.003-06:00

Happy Birthday to the love of my life!

Here are 38 reasons why I love you!

1. You love Jesus.

2. You live your life according to your biblical convictions.

3. I know you will love me no matter what.

4. You are the daddy of our 4 little people

5. You adore your children

6. You live purposefully

7. You are caring

8. You are kind

9. From the day we met you wanted to take care of me and you do it better today than ever!

10. I love the crows feet you are starting to get by your eyes

11. You work hard

12. You buy me flowers just because.

13. You still date me!

14. Your a good boy, but deep down you'd become a mobster if given the chance!

15. You liked getting 850 gumballs for your birthday and you don't seem to care about our dental bill. =)

16. You are the man of my dreams...actually you far exceeded my dreams and I'm a big dreamer!

17. You ride a Harley

18. I love that you coach our kids at sports and at life.

19. You are a man of great integrity

20. You take me on vacations!

21. You take our family on vacations!

22. You let me decorate the house the way I like it and you actually like it too!

23. You like basketball, football & golf

24. Because we can play tennis together

25. You like mowing the lawn

26. You give me a back rub almost every night!

27. Your eyes are my favorite shade of hazel

28. Your smile is still my favorite thing about you.

29. You have no problem telling me you love me.

30. You are a great communicator

31. You bought break dancing pants for our dance parties

32. You let me have dance parties (disco ball and all!)

33. You say yes more than you say no.

34. You are my spiritual leader

35. You are my rock

36. You still think I'm the prettiest girl alive, grey hairs and all.

37. You still hold my hand

38. Because you know me better than I know myself!

I can't imagine my life with out you babe. Next to salvation you are the greatest gift I have ever been given. Thank you for blessing my life beyond my craziest expectations. May God give you many more years! Love you.

Easter 2010

2010-04-04T19:42:00.004-06:00

We had a very nontraditional Easter this year, which was great! Since Jay and I had taken a red-eye flight home and didn't arrive until yesterday afternoon, I didn't really have time to plan a whole lot. Plus we were exhausted and the kids were just happy to be in their own home and have us all to them selves. There were no Easter out fits bought, no candy purchased or eggs filled ahead of time, no fun baskets awaiting the kids when they woke up...just sweet time together. We made it to church and heard an amazing message. I just LOVE hearing about the Resurrection!!! So much hope, so much joy! Instead of coming home in a rush to prepare a big dinner we drove down town and took the kids to PF Chang's for lunch. They all cheered! Its their fav and we had a great time talking about the Risen Lord around our Chinese food! We then stopped by the store to get a few things of candy, came home, had the kids fill the eggs themselves, hid the eggs, searched for eggs and then ate some candy! Then to top off the already different yet wonderful day Jay let the kids go hot tubbin' while I jumped into the MOUNDS of laundry that will probably take me 4 days to get done! Its funny how I usually end up loving the non-traditional, non-stressful holidays that providentially come my way, more than the planned events...I sure did have more time today to really think about and appreciate all that the Lord Jesus did for me. For I know my Redeemer LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy Easter my friends and family!

Everybody loves a good tickle!

Kauai

2010-04-04T18:43:00.004-06:00

Jay and I just got back from Kauai and we had a WONDERFUL time. Our friends Matt & Megan came with us and we met both of my brothers and their fabulous wives there too! To say the least, with 8 people together, there were LOTS and LOTS of laughs! Jay did tons of boogie boarding (which I didn't get a picture of), I laid in the sun every chance I got & we ate lots of yummy food. Jay and the guys played golf one afternoon and I was able to get away and have a massage at one point. Then there were the "adventures". One was planned, the other...not so planned! You can read about those by the pictures below! Its always so nice to get away with just Jay...we were able to spend lots of time together and had lots of good talks...which are my favorite! =)

This picture was taken the moment our feet hit the sand for the first time!!

This is the Napali Coast line...one of the most spectacular things I have ever seen!

This is the Waiohai (where we stayed) and Poipu Beach (where Megan swam with the turtles! it was on her check list.....CHECK!)

This my friends was the unexpected "adventure". We rode in this boat out in the OCEAN for a good 5 hours! I was pretty sure I was going to die! Yes, I'm afraid of the ocean and so why I got in this boat to begin with is a mystery....I guess I just didn't want to "miss out". It started out pretty fun....the boat is speeding along, bouncing along but about 40 minutes into the ride as we are being slammed into the boat over and over and over and over, I start to wonder (along with EVERY OTHER PERSON ON BOARD) what the @*%# we got ourselves into! People were getting sea sick, there were times when we couldn't see anything but GIANT waves in front of us, our hiney's were taking a beating along with our backs! Our hands (which were holding on to ropes for 5 hours) were cramped and as red as you can imagine! And NO ONE was wearing a life jacket! "It makes me look bad" Captain Joe said! He said no one had ever fallen out of his boat....I think he's a liar. The whole point of the boat ride was to ride out there to see the Napli Coast line which you cant see from anywhere but a boat or a helicopter, but because we were so afraid we kept our eyes peeled on the rolling ocean most of the time. Did I mention that the wind was blowing like a mad man and when we left it was raining??? Bitterness was starting to set in as we headed back....going through sea caves, seeing turtles, dolphins and whales was promised and up to this point we had seen ONE turtle. LAME! But, the trip was redeemed! Going with the waves proved to be much easier than going against them (although we were all so exhausted and beat up it was still hard). But the most exciting was that we came across a pod of dolphins! The Captains 1st and only mate, whose name by the way was Chance, told us that there were probably 300 hundred! It was awesome and totally made the trip for me! Once we finally got back to land (praise God we made it!) I looked at Megan and said "WHAT was THAT???" Everyone was....well I don't even have the words to describe it....we were just happy to be alive! The rest of the week was filled with jokes and life and death tales from our trip and we all decided that THIS would be the adventure that we would never forget!

Lovin my man at one of the Wiamea Canyon look outs.

Jay and I at the Luau...no I'm not leaning on Jay....My brother Chad who thinks he's "Artsy Fartsy" took the picture with the camera at an angle...He said it would look cooler...what do you think?? =)

This was our planned "adventure" which none of us were really looking forward too...we had all had our fair share after the Zodiac trip, but it was paid for and we couldn't get our money back so we went. 7 hours, that's right people, 7 hours is how long this one lasted, but it was much more mellow, in fact we were bored. We took a 2 mile kayak trip down a river, hiked a very short distance to a tractor that pulled us around the ranch that some of Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones had been filmed at. It took us to the zip lines (3 to be exact) where we stood in line for who knows how long to wait for everyone to go. The zip lines were....fun? They were OK...nothing special. I think because it took 7 hours to do, well, not really anything was a bummer. Plus we had a tour guide who SERIOUSLY didn't stop talking THE entire time! But here is me and Jay in our Kayak. Jay said it was good for us to do this together in case we ever got our selves in trouble and needed to know how to work a kayak.....huh?

Dinner at Tidepools with the whole gang! DE-LISH

The Phillips sibs and their mates!

Here are those dolphins I was telling you about! Pretty awesome!

Wolfpack ends and an 11 year old emerges

2010-03-23T20:18:00.002-06:00

It was an eventful and intense year of Wolfpack basketball that has now come to an end. It was so much fun to watch the boys grow together as a team and see individuals get better and better. To see friendships made between both the players, coaches and the parents. We love our Wolfpack family!

What's next? Well, he will be playing more basketball with a different team for a few months but will be back with the Wolfpack when they start up again in the Fall. But the NEXT big thing is that Jaxon will be 11 soon on April 2nd to be exact! I wanted to write about both because basketball has become a huge part of Jaxon's life (our lives) and it is a tool that is helping shape him as a person. I picked the picture above because it so represents who Jaxon is...no, not just a basketball player but a leader and a good one at that. He is quiet, yet he stands tall and strong for what he believes in. He has a quiet confidence and is not easily shaken. Other kids look to him for guidance on and off the court and they aren't sure why, they just know they want to be his friend. I can tell you why. It is because he works hard at everything he does, he is teachable, agreeable, trustworthy, and content. He is content to loose and content to win. He just enjoys the activity of the sport, or the challenge of learning and what the outcome is doesn't really matter to him, he just enjoys the process. At his last parent/teacher conference the teacher said she "admires Jaxon as a person and see's him as a critical leader for his class today and for the years to come" and that he is a blessing to her and has helped her learn more about herself. Really? You would think that pride would swell within me and I'm sure that there was some of that, but it quickly turned to an overwhelming thankfulness and tears of joy that our son is growing and turning into the young man God wants him to be. I often marvel at who God has made Jaxon. I can take no credit because he is who he is despite Jay & I's weaknesses so it must be God's grace.

I have to say that each year with Jaxon gets better and better.....and harder and harder. Better because each year I am graciously reminded that Jaxon is a gift from the Lord. He is solid and responsible and a vital part to our family. I love being his mom and I take seriously my responsibility to raise him up to be a godly man. The Lord has already saved him (the greatest gift a mother can receive), but my job is to train him, direct him, love him, encourage him and then let him go....wow....that is really painful....that is the hard part. I love seeing him grow, mature, accomplish, succeed but the more he does this on his own the more steps he takes away from needing his Mama to hold his hand. I'm afraid the next 7 years are going to go by faster than I can handle...I love this boy who is quickly turning into an amazing young man. If this is what he is like at 11 I look forward to knowing him as a 15 year old, and 18 year old and so on...

I love you Jax. You are a true blessing and it is my pleasure to watch as God grows you into the man he wants you to be. The Lord has always amazed me with what he has for you and I'm sure there will be many more amazing moments. I know God will use you to do great things, things that will further his kingdom! As you grow I pray that you would guard your heart and mind, that you would trust in the Lord alone and that in everything you do, you would do it for the Glory of God! Happy 11th Birthday, my son. I cherish you.

Love,

Mama

My baby is 4...

2010-02-28T20:24:00.004-07:00

For a lot of mom's I know, when their baby turns 5 they have a hard time with it, but for me age 4 has proven to be the toughest one...at least when it comes to my baby. You see, we have played a little game with each of our kids where we have teased them, telling them that they cant grow up past the age of 4. 4 years old has been Jay & I's favorite stage with each kid. They aren't quite 5, which seems long gone from the toddler years, and they aren't still in the toddler years! =) They still say and do funny things, funny things that we can laugh at before they start to become concerned that you are laughing at them. You can still cuddle them, kiss their boo boo's, help them get their shoe's on and they will still look at you like you are the one and only "special mommy" in the world. Ive cried the last few days as I feel like a stage in life, that I have loved, is slipping away. I look forward to the life of having older kids, cause they are just such great people, but leaving behind the little people stage is taring at my heart. I knew this day would come and to be honest I looked forward to it in some ways but now that I am here I find myself longing to hold a little baby of my own who only I can know in such a tender way. Jay's pretty sure getting "things" taken care of was a good idea or I may have found myself pregnant again! Ha! He tried to tell me that I had grand babies to look forward to....SILLY MAN! No, actually he has been great through the tears and irrational ideas...like getting a reversal. =)

As many tears as I cried Ty still turned 4....I tried to tell him today that maybe I shouldn't feed him anymore and then he wouldn't grow bigger, but he didn't think that was a good idea cause he loves donuts and is tummy might die if I didn't feed him! SEE! Its why I love 4 year olds but especially why I love Ty Ty!

Born 4 years ago today was my baby...Ty, Ty Ty, Tyger, T-Y or to be official....Tyson Brady Hughes! Happy Birthday little man! You are my sweet brown eyed boy who gives affectionately lots of kisses and hugs and I love you's. Your smile melts my heart, your brown eyes are beautiful, but when you crawl into bed with me in the morning to cuddle me, I know its going to be a good day! I love how you think you play basketball like a big kid, how you like to wear underwear that looks like Jaxon's underwear, how you manage to get Kenna to give you what ever you want and how you and Huddy laugh together when you play. But I especially love that you look just like your daddy!

Tyson,
Since I cant keep you at the age of 4 but for only 1 year, I pray for your future. I pray that you would know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and that you would live your life with a passion for the gospel. I pray that your heart would love others because Jesus first loved you and that you would be used to further God's kingdom. I pray that you will marry a woman who loves Jesus with her whole heart, a woman who wants to stay home and raise your children, a woman who wants to be in the divine role God has given her. That she would be your help-mate and encourage you to be a godly man. I also will pray for the things of today...for you to learn self-control, to speak kindly to others, to put others first. I pray that you would learn to obey mommy & daddy because you want to obey Jesus first. I pray that you will learn from your brothers and your sister that people are different and yet all valuable....and so many other things! I look forward to seeing you grow from a little boy into a "big guy" as you would put it. But no matter how big you get you will always be my baby!

Love,
Mama

It's official! Ty is 4!

Here he is checking out the amazing cake that Heather Crosby made for him. I think he's trying to decide if he should touch it or not....

Isn't this amazing??? Love it!

Playing a little "Super Hero" Musical chairs.

His Super Hero friends that came to celebrate with him!

The next 5 pictures are from the last 4 years, starting with Ty at age 4. He's always kissin' his Mama or his Mama is always kissin' him...

Ty at age 3...Sea World

Age 2

Age 1

5 months old and one of my all time FAVORITE pictures of Ty as a baby.

Fiesta Bowl....didnt really help my chances...

2010-01-15T12:16:00.006-07:00

You are probably wondering what I mean when I say the Fiesta Bowl didn't really help my chances....well, it has been an on going "discussion", since Jay and I were married, about how he would love to move to Arizona and how I would NOT! Of course living there has NEVER crossed my mind until we were on the airplane ride down there and I was reading a book. The section I was reading was about husbands loving their wives as much as they love their own bodies (Eph. 5:28) which is such a huge task for husbands if you ask me. The author, formerly from Chicago, moved to AZ for his wife's health. She suffered from arthritis and when they vacationed in AZ she always felt so much better. So he moved them down there, in their retirement years. After reading the inspirational story, I looked over at Jay and smiled, knowing he would do the same for me...and then it hit me! "THAT'S how you're going to get me down there!" I blurted out! He looked at me like a weirdo and said "What?" and then I went on to explain. He just smiled a sly smile and said "Hey, if its what the Lord wants." Of course I laughed but deep down I didn't think it was THAT funny. When we landed in Phoenix, the warmth felt great but the scenery does NOTHING for me. In fact its just so prickly and I do not prefer it. This is where the story gets funny. Jay goes in to get our rental car and comes out with keys to a white Grand Marquis. Do you know what that is? Its the epitome of an old persons car and its ugly! Jay thought it was awesome (goes back to his weird mobster obsessions), but Jaxon and I were looking at him like he was crazy! The back end is as long as the front end and since Jay has a tendency to run into things in his big car, I thought "Oh boy, here we go." We stopped off at Walmart to pick up a few things and I HAD to take a picture of the way he parked the car for the very first time. He was 3 feet OVER the line! Jaxon and I were rollin'! Later Jaxon noticed that on the key chain it said "GRAND MA" (short for Marquis) but we had a hay day with that! The whole weekend we drove around in the GRANDMA! What is even more funny is that we stayed in Sun City which is just rows and rows of condos where the retired people live and so when we were driving in to the sub, we fit in quite nicely! The only other way we could have fit in any better would have been if we would have driven in on a golf cart! =) What wasn't funny was how Jay kept telling me to get use to riding in style cause when WE live here that's what he's gonna drive. =) Not to mention that he said about 25 times in 2 days that he would "love living here". So it really has nothing to do with the Fiesta Bowl, but everything to do with the location of the game. =) It wouldn't be right for me not to give him some attitude about this dream of his but you all know, Id pack my bags and follow him anywhere!

Now, the Fiesta Bowl was an awesome experience! And to just go with Jaxon and Jay was really really fun. Its the first trip alone we have taken with just Jax and it made me realize how quickly he is growing up. On the plane we didn't have seats together and he was more than fine with sitting by someone he didn't know. He could pack and carry his own bag. He read books and didn't ask when we were going to be there. He just enjoyed being with us and we enjoyed being with him! But to be at such a big game like that with our little athlete will be a day I will never forget. Id like to say that he was star struck by the whole weekend, but you all know Id be lying. While I'm jumping up and down in excitement, Jaxon was his normal "steady" self. About the most I got out of him was during the game and even that was just a few high fives! We couldn't be anymore different, but I wouldn't change ANYTHING about him. I just know I'm going to LOVE being the mom of older kids. Jaxon has eased us into it nicely!

PS. You know this was written by a woman cause I didn't even mention anything about the win! Just all relational stuff! HA!

Jay & Jax rollin' in the GRAND MA! Notice the park job!

Heading out to the game! GO BRONCOS!

Mitch & Jaxon's first tailgate party!

Kelli, John, Jay, Heather & Jax...all 11. Must be some Moore fans in the house!

I loved being with my boys!

Check out how close we were to the field! Unbelievable seats! Jaxon got excited about that. Even better John,who is 7'1", sat right behind him so he could stand on the seat to see over the adults standing in front of him!

Final Score: TCU-10, BSU 17!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just love this picture. This group of people are all from our church or at least we know them through church friends. It was so fun to all be in the same section together!

The 3 youngest Hughes stayed with Crosby's and Heather said that the kids kept telling her that they were going to see their mommy, daddy and Jaxon on TV....She was a little worried that they would be upset when they didn't see us, but THEN.....we appeared! They were so excited!

You cant just go home and go to sleep after an adrenalin rush like that! So, we took the boys the In-n-Out for a little Bronco celebration!

Just the 6 of us

2009-12-29T21:48:00.006-07:00

In 14 years since Jay and I have been together we have NEVER spent a Christmas with just our little family. As much as we love being with all of the extended family it was time for us to keep it small and intimate. Everything leading up to this day was so memorable for me. It was the first year we actually had time to take the kids shopping so that they could shop for one another. To see them roam the mall in search for the perfect gift for their brothers or sister was so sweet! Then watching them wrap their gifts for each other, then give them to each other was such a blessing to Jay and I. It truly is better to give than to receive and this year our kids experienced that. It also made Jay and I look at each other and say "we need to do this more often". And we will. Christmas Eve day went to lunch at our favorite Mexican restaurant, Costa Vida, then came home and watched the Nativity Story together...the kids LOVED this and want to "watch it together every year" (Kenna). Then we had dinner together, cleaned up and headed to church for a reflective Christmas Eve service. We then headed back home to open our gifts!!! It was such a fun day! Christmas morning we opened our stockings and had breakfast together. Then we hopped in the car and drove to Yakima to spend a few days with my family. We had a great time....unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures...which is weird, I know.

On December first we started reading a story for advent called Jothem's Journey. It is a story about a little boy that gets separated from his family and while he searches for them he encounters the people in the Christmas story and comes to learn about the Messiah. GREAT story! Our kids looked forward to reading this together each night...actually I looked forward to it! We would light the candle on the Advent wreath and cozy up by each other and daddy or I would read our chapter for the night...it was so relaxing! Then we would have wonderful conversations about the story and how to apply the lessons to our lives. It felt like Christmas should....to be focused on Jesus, his coming, his death, and his promise that he will again one day return as our king! What a meaningful month it was for us. I'm already looking forward to next year and I cant say that it has been that way for me....for a while.

Here are some pics from our time together!~

Tyson and all of his pearly whites! My little cheese ball!

Huddy....could those eyes be anymore BeaUtiful??? And I'm diggin the feaux hawk!

Our sweetie heart! Cant believe how old she looks in the picture. =(

Poor Jaxon had a canker sore the size of a quarter inside his top lip....made it hard to smile so I got a "stop making me try to smile, mom" look. =)

Our Christmas Eve Dinner! Yummy!

The Ham that we bough the day before Christmas Eve....not easy to find a ham that late in the month!
Kenna watching the end of the Nativity Story. She was all teary eyed! It was so sweet.

Jay & the cuties!

Mama and her little chicks!

Poor Jaxon just couldn't smile any more...so here are the other 3 hammin' it up!

Christmas Eve reading our Advent story. Ty seems to be paying really close attention. =)

Advent Wreath

Ty & Hudson

Daddy just opened up the present the kids got him...a NEW wallet!

Kenna got some slippers from Jax! She "was totally wanting some just like these!"

Hud & Ty opening up their storm trooper helmets!

"now we're just wike wheel (real) star wars guys, Huddy!" Tyson age 3 1/2

Here is Jax opening up his "big" gift from Jay & I. It was a little box with a BSU Fiesta Bowl T-shirt in it and a ticket to the Fiesta Bowl!!!! But when he ripped the package open the ticket fell on the floor and he didn't even notice...so while we snickered at his excitement over the t-shirt, Kenna pointed out the ticket on the floor. This is the picture of him figuring out that he gets to go with us to the FIESTA BOWL!!!!!!!! GO BSU!

He knew that Jay and were going but we didn't tell him he was going to get to go. NOT ONCE did he ask if he could go so it made giving him the gift even more exciting! When we asked him if he thought we were going to take him he said "no, I thought you would have told me by now". He was AS excited as we have EVER seen Jax!

Looking forward to Jan 4th! Go Broncos....PLEEEEEAAASE make it worth the money we spent!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

One of our FAVORITE Christmas traditions

2009-12-29T21:37:00.002-07:00

If you live in Boise there's no doubt you know of this place. Every year this guy lights his house up for all of Boise to see and every year we drive up Quail hill, park, walk a ways in the snow and marvel at all of the lights...all of his hard work! The kids love it, I love it...even Jay loves it! =) This year we went the night before Christmas Eve and it took us 30 minutes to get up the hill to the house. It was bumper to bumper traffic! But well worth the wait!

Apparently 10 year old boys don't wear pants anymore no matter what the temp!

This year the neighbor next door went all out! I love it! DITTO!

Welcome back???

2009-12-01T17:20:00.004-07:00

Facebook has taken over blogging....its sad, I know. This is my attempt at coming back to the bloggers world...we'll see how it goes. Im going to attempt blogging in December...if it doesnt work then I will have to say goodbye to this past time...one that I enjoyed for so long. =) Im just not sure I can keep up with both....plus its a lot of work if no one looks at it! =0)

4th of July!

2009-07-15T17:22:00.003-06:00

As you know....I love the 4th of July. It is one of those days that I look forward to all year long. But Ive been thinking a lot about why I love it so much (maybe because of the sermon we had this week) and these are some of my thoughts.

Of course there are the surfacey things that are fun....swimming, basketball, BBQ, potato sack races, dancing and the fireworks...but who we do all of these things with is really why it is fun. I love that we serve a God who has created us to "enjoy" the things He has given us but especially the relationships that He has allowed us to have. What a blessing! But as much as I do enjoy the preparations, the people and falling into bed exhausted there is more to it for me. It is seeing the things that God has given us, be used in a way to encourage others. That might sound strange but this is what I mean by that....when I look at this picture, at the families that are represented here, I see people who love the Lord, people who have loved us, but I also see people who have been through a lot. They have all had pain, struggles, heart aches, and to see them all come together to have fun & enjoy this life God has given us is really special to me. I don't want them to forget their struggles because God truly does grow us through hard times, but to see them be able to enjoy the happiness of life too, is so great! It makes me think about Heaven...how in the presence of Jesus we will have real joy, perfect relationships and fun! The 4th of July is a little piece of Heaven on earth for me and I really do thank the Lord for it. =)

You might be saying "the 4th of July is a holiday to celebrate our country" and that is true! And I so appreciate that the Lord allowed for me and for my children to be born into a country with so many freedoms, but it too makes me long for Heaven...where my one purpose, to worship Jesus, will not be clouded by "American" things. That even as "nice" as being an American is, being in Heaven with Jesus will be.....indescribable! There is always tension on this earth....I am SO thankful to be and American and yet I look forward to being taken from this place that is not my home for eternity. And I am also thankful, like I mentioned up above, for the joy we are able to experience here on earth because they too point my affections heavenward.

Bet you didn't think those were the reasons I love the 4th of July! =)

God's mercy on our little girl.

2009-07-05T21:58:00.006-06:00

I know its been a while since this happened but I really wanted to document this. Although it was such a scary and horrible thing that happened we have all come to know the Lord better because of it. To experience His mercy and His grace through an accident like this was....well, I don't even have the words to describe it.

On June 15th, 2009 Kenna had an accident on the diving board that took us to the ER immediately. After being looked at she was moved to the downtown St. Lukes for surgery. She had torn her "girl parts" open and we were unsure of the damage until after the surgery. God was so gracious to give us all female nurses and doctors...all whom were amazing with Kenna. Kenna's anesthesiologist just so happened to be a friend of ours from football...and when I say just so happened I MEAN God ordained it to be that way. It was so comforting to see a familiar face...the face of a friend who would be watching out for Kenna through her surgery. We also found out from the surgeon that Kenna was about a cm away from having a very painful "intimate" relationship with her husband one day and not being able to have kids. Praise God for his goodness! She will have to have to give birth by c-section which she has said is OK since she already knows what it feels like to hurt "down there"...she doesn't want to feel that again! =) Oh the innocence of an 8 year old.

She celebrated her 8th birthday laying in a bed which was slightly depressing to her and to us....UNTIL almost every person she knows and loves showed up with gifts, flowers, balloons and signs! She was showered with love and it was amazing to watch our little girl experience God's love through his people. So thanks to all of you for loving on our little girl...she will NEVER forget this birthday!

When we finally got the OK to go home we gratefully packed up our bags and looked forward to sleeping in our own beds!

Its been 4 weeks since her surgery and I am AMAZED at how quickly she has recovered! Praise God!!! She can do just about everything except ride a bike or jump on the trampoline but just by looking at her and her activity you wouldn't guess she had just went through what she did! For that we are extremely thankful. Through this we learned that we are not in control, only God is and even through hard times he still remains GOOD. He loves us, protects us, showers us with encouragement through his people and gives us joy in the time of trials. Thank you, Lord.

Kenna's wonderful nurse Collette who was with her 3 of the 4 days. And one of her 2 American Girl dolls that she got for her big day!

Kenna talking to Mamo on her birthday.

And this is only one part of the room!

The IV is out and she is ready to go home! So is mommy!

What we been doin' round here....

2009-06-03T21:03:00.006-06:00

First of all I stand corrected! Thanks for all the comments girls...its nice to know you all visit me every once in a while! Keep up the comments! =)

Here's a little update:

Memorial Day Weekend: We took the kids over to the Whites and Michael taught Jaxon & Kenna how to ride dirt bikes! They both did awesome! Kenna was a natural and of course she went as fast as the bike would let her!

My girl doin' her thang!

Jax taking the hill with no problems!

This is almost a daily occurrence....swimming with friends and some sort of cold treat to finish the day off! Who wouldn't love summer if this is all it entails!

This is my FAVORITE! Every time I turn on music Hudson and Ty run for what Ty likes to call their "tah tar (guitar) and dum stids (drum sticks), and they ROCK OUT! Every time! Hudson is usually the lead guitar and lead singer and Ty gets his stool and straws out to bang the drums (or the hearth). I love turning on the music each day with this to look forward too!

Jam session!

Here is my girl listening to her classical music....she does this twice a day for 15 minutes each and she loves it.

Library Books! We are trying to make it to the Library each week to get new books to look at. Jaxon reads about 5 books a week so at that rate I cant afford to buy him books!

Here is Huddy looking through his picture books... I think we have checked out every I spy book more than 3 times each!

And last but not least, Huddy learned to ride a two wheeler! He learned in about 2 minutes and 30 seconds!!! Now he's outside every day taring up the pavement!

I just love summer! So many fun activities and the change in the regular school schedule is like a breath of fresh air!

End of the school year

2009-05-22T14:43:00.003-06:00

Wow! It has been a while! Ive missed some things the last few months and just decided it would be better to start fresh than to try and go back and upload all of those pictures! This is mostly for my mom cause I don't think anyone else really checks this! =)

Anyway, this was the last week for school for Jaxon and Kenna. Other than ERB testing, they had a good time. Yesterday was the Epilogos (or the conclusion if you don't know Latin...I don't) for the 4th, 5th & 6th grades. Its actually an awards ceremony for those kids who excelled this year. As much as they would love to award every kid there just wasn't time for it so they awarded those with the highest achievements. To our surprise Jaxon received 3 different awards! I was shocked and in tears! I know he's a great kid and he works really hard but this school is full of smarty pants so you never know! These are the awards that he received:

1. For making the Headmasters List with a grade point average between 3.5 & 3.78
2. He received an award from his teacher for being one of the most diligent students through out the year
3. And he received the National Physical Fitness Award! (which was the only one that didn't totally surprise me since he is the 2nd fasted kid in the 4th-6th grade! He ran the mile in 6.58 min.)

We were so proud of him! After the Epilogos we headed to a park in Meridian and had a big picnic with the families of Foundations. Jaxon played soccer (of course), Kenna took the little boys on the giant blow up slide that was there about 15 times! She's such a good big sister! We are so so so proud of Kenna this year too. She worked so hard in school this year and she is moving on to the 2nd grade!!! Way to go Kenna! I just know that when you get to go to Epilogos, you'll get awards too!

Here is Jaxon receiving the NPFA award!

Proud Daddy!

Proud Mama

Jeffrey and Jaxon- the two boys in the 4th grade to get the Diligence award! Way to go boys!

Here are all the awards that will be scrap booked shortly!

Cora & Kenna at the end of the year Pioneer Days party! This is Kenna's best school friend.

My little Prairie girl!

Wash those clothes....I told her she would have to wash her clothes by hand this summer if she didn't keep her room clean! hee hee!

Jaxon's end of the year party was a Middle Ages Theme! This is Jaxon's buddy Spencer who he also rode the 25 mile bike ride with!

Sir Jaxon Hughes!

Disney world Day 6 (Hollywood studios)

2009-03-01T21:35:00.005-07:00

Our last day was spent at Hollywood studios. We had a really great time and loved the roller coaster rides at this park.

They had American Idol auditions that morning and Kenna, Jay and Jaxon kept trying to get me to try out....I chickened out! So this is as close as I got. =)

Radiator Springs!! Finally we got to see Lightning and Mater! The little boys had been waiting all week for them to show up! Hudson was very excited and said he hoped the "Life is a Highway" song plays when he is getting his picture taken. And Ty said he was gonna "hud Mater when he dot up dare". And he did!

This was the BEST ride!! The Hotel of Terror! It was an elevator ride that dropped you an insane number of floors and then took you back up to do it again! So much fun! Kenna and Jaxon loved it! Mamo hated it but Papa made her do it!

We got to see a short reenactment of Beauty and the Beast....Kenna and I were singing all day long!
My little Beauty! She said Belle is her favorite princess!

Lights, Action, Stunts and Car chases! Things were blowing up and burning rubber, guns were shot and a man caught on fire! Very entertaining! Hudson LOVED it!

Waiting for the show to begin!

Kenna loved the High School Musical concert in the street.

Papa and Mamo with the little guys. It was so fun having them there with us. An adult to kid ratio is highly recommended! Plus it was just fun for the kids to build that memory with them! Thanks for going with us Mom and Dad!

This is as we were driving out of the park for the last time! Good Bye Disney World!

Disney World Day 5

2009-03-01T21:30:00.003-07:00

Day 5 was a down day. Our tootsies were tired so we stayed in our jammies till noon and then hung around the hotel. The kids swam but I sat in the lounge chair with my jeans and jacket on...trying to soak up the sun.

Disney World Day 4 (Animal Kingdom)

2009-03-01T21:21:00.004-07:00

Day 3: Animal Kingdom...this was fun but our least favorite park. Except for the roller coaster ride Everest....that was AWESOME! Of course my camera died 30 minutes after entering the parks so only a few pics....lucky you!

The safari ride was fun too. We saw rhino's, giraffes, cheetah, elephants, all sorts of gazelle like things, some sort of chimpanzee and that's about it.

Sea World Day 3

2009-03-01T15:17:00.005-07:00

Sea world was our day three adventure. I think we got robbed on the whale show....apparently just 4 days before we arrived they decided to try and have all 8 killer whales live in the same tank at all times. Because of this the whales aren't cooperating as well since the females are trying to determine who is queen bee! They started late and cut the show early...oh well...they were still a sight to behold!

Hudson's first roller coaster...kid style!

He liked the first so much he wanted to try others!

The Dolphin show...really entertaining!

At the end of the day Jay, Jax, Kenna and Papa went on a ride called Atlantis....it was one of those wet rides that I opted out on!

SHARRRRRK!

Disney World Day 2 (Half Day at Magic Kingdom)

2009-03-01T14:59:00.003-07:00

Day Two: This time we took the ferry across the Disney Lake to get to the Magic Kingdom. We stayed on the East side of the park and visited mostly little kid rides! It was very enjoyable!

Jaxon was such a trooper...helping make a big deal out of characters and rides for the little boys!

On the Disney Ferry

The Buzz Light year Ride was our favorite!!!

Oh NO! They've been captured by Zurg!

The Hughes with the ever loved Buzz! Hudson and Ty would shake Buzz's hand but they wouldn't go near Mickey Mouse!!!

Ty in line to drive the race cars....again!

The Family waiting in line....again.

Going up! Ty and Hud were troopers!

Family Photo with Minnie & Mickey!

Disney World Day 1 (Magic Kingdom)

2009-03-01T14:27:00.004-07:00

This is Day One! Of course my pictures show up all wrong and are not in order but I'm too bugged to go back and change it! We had such a great time and the first day was for sure the most exciting! All the anticipation, everything is new and exciting. My mom and dad came with us and it was so awesome to have them spend this fun filled vacation with us. I will post by the day since I have SO many pictures and cant choose! Come back for more if you dare!

DAY ONE!

Crazy kids and their crazy hats!

Everyone loved the tea cups!!

Spaceship rides with Papa are the best!

Space Mountain...Awesome!

The Last picture of the day however not the last picture on the blog!! What a great day it was!

Here we are just arriving! Oh the fun we were looking forward to having!

First ride of the day...Aladdin's Carpet ride.

Mickey Ears!!!

Hudson was all upset that I had his name put on the back of his hat....apparently he doesn't want anyone to know who he is. Little stinker!

A much happier boy who LOVED driving the race cars!

How can it be that my baby is 3?

2009-02-28T18:51:00.005-07:00

Time really does go by so fast. I even try to savor the moments....well most of them, but I just cant slow down time. We have always joked with our kids that when they turn 4 they just have to stay 4...we don't want them getting any older than that. Reality is hitting me that Ty will be 4 next year and that wont be funny anymore! I love 3 year olds and I look forward to all Ty will bring with his 3 year old verbiage. Almost everything they say and how they say it is funny and I eat it up!

Here are some pictures of my baby over the last 3 years...he gets cuter every year and I think he started off pretty darn cute!

Tyson Brady Hughes

Born February 28th 2006

8 lbs 13 oz

(1 week old)

Ty-ger age 1

Look at all that cuteness just ooozing out of him!

Ty Ty age 2!

Ty loves his family!

T-Y age 3

My little Tyson, Tyger, T Y (tee why), and Ty Ty....Buddy you make me smile everyday by just giving me your big tooth and gums smile. Its never a grin its always a full on cheese! I love you with all of my heart and oh how I wish I could slow down the clock. You want to be so big and I want you to stay so little. I think your winning cause you get bigger each day, your words become more clear, your sentences longer and your obedience better. I love how much you love your family...every single one of them is special to you. I cant imagine our family without you. The Lord knew what he was doing when he added you to our family...we need you to make us laugh to teach us patience and to make us whole. I so look forward to seeing how you grow and I pray that you would be all that the Lord would have you be. I hope that you will come to know Jesus at an early age and that you would show the world his love through your life and your bright smile. Jesus made you approachable with that big grin of yours and I hope one day when someone asks you what your so happy about, you will be able to tell them about Jesus! You will always be my baby no matter what! I love you Ty!

Here he is showing me how big he really is...he can hold up the 3 fingers...that's big stuff!

Super Boys!

2009-02-17T14:37:00.003-07:00

For Valentines Day I got the little boys capes with their initials on them. They LOVED them and have been playing with them non stop. I just love these pictures!

Valentines Fun.

2009-02-17T11:05:00.003-07:00

We had a fun time celebrating Valentines day this year. Jaxon and Kenna had parties at school and enjoyed getting their cards ready for their classmates. Ty and I went to Auntie B's for a Valentine party where they had heart shaped grilled cheese and cupcakes. Valentines Day the kids woke up to a present on the hearth, heart shaped french toast and then off to two basketball games!

I actually took this picture a few days before Valentines day, printed out a bunch of copies and made puzzles out of them. We sent them to all the grandma's/grandpa's, aunts, uncles and cousins. My 4 little sweethearts! I love em!

Here is Miss K very excited about putting her valentines together!

The Heart Breakers! I know you cant see it but they had matching shirts on that say Heart Breaker. So cute!

Ty & Levi...always wrestling!

Tyson eating his cupcake after NOT eating his heart shaped grilled cheese.

Valentines Morning....Heart shaped french toast...YUM!

Kenna always wants to decorate with a sign....I wonder where she got that idea? =)

Here is daddy trying to put together his Valentine puzzle.

From my man!

We got to get out Valentines evening (with the rest of the Treasure Valley) and had a great time thinking about when we first met. Funny enough, neither of us remember any of the other Valentines Day's that we've spent together! Id prefer just being with Jay then making a big deal out of it...I know he loves me EVERY day!

555

2009-02-05T16:19:00.003-07:00

So, Ive been seeing this fun game floating around the blog world where someone tags you to go to your 5th picture folder and post your 5th picture in that folder....BUT, no one has asked me to play so I thought I would start my own! (I'm not bitter or anything, but you girls should know...I like to play these kinds of games!). =) So here is my picture!

Now I tag:
1. Katie E
2. April M
3. Stephanie B
4. Tara H
5. Angie T

Please play with me! =)

HOT LAVA!

2009-01-21T09:39:00.003-07:00

So as you may know Jay is coaching Jaxon's Upwards team but he is also coaching Kenna's team which in his own words is "WAY different than coaching boys". Kenna absolutely LOVES having her daddy as her coach, something she has wanted for a long time and she seems to really be loving basketball. She even told Jay yesterday that she liked it more than cheer leading (how can this be!!!????). Jaxon is so focused and knowledgeable about the game and has really great body control and can do whatever you tell him to do. Jay coaches by using basketball terms with the boys but with the girls its a whole different ball game! He came home last night to tell me that he was trying to teach the girls a lay up drill where they run wide to the hoop as apposed to straight up the middle, but the girls didn't seem to be getting. So he explains again that they need to stay out of the key and just before he was about to blow the whistle to start the drill Kenna yells "Just a second, Just a second"....pause "Its like its Hot Lava and we need to stay out of it!"......"Right" Jay says and then they all got it!

Marley & Me

2009-01-19T20:27:00.002-07:00

We just got home from seeing Marley & Me and it was so cute! And so true to life. I laughed at Jennifer Aniston at the end of her rope with the crying babies & barking dog, because Ive been there...more than once I hate to admit. So much about that movie seemed as though I had lived it...not so much the dog part because....well, honestly, Daisy has been a dream! Yes she chews things up and sometimes barfs on the floor, but she is so loving and sweet with the kids,with all of us. But the thing that caught me off guard was not that Marley dies in the end but when "Jenny & Jon" are at the doctor to see their first ultrasound and they find out that the baby has no heart beat....gulp....I lost it. It will be six years in April that I miscarried our 3rd child and to be honest I haven't cried over that for probably 5 1/2 years. I don't know why...I know the Lord has a plan and it didn't include that child in our lives and Ive always been OK with that and I still am, but when I saw the look on the actresses face it pierced my soul and so much came flooding back. I spent the rest of the evening thinking about what our life would be like had I not miscarried, how I would have a 5 1/2 year old. Would it have been a boy or a girl? All things I wont experience in this lifetime. Either my hormones are extremely out of whack or as a mom I will always carry that feeling of loss with me. How strange for it to pop up during a movie about a dog, I know...but it made me think about that little someone that I hope I will meet someday in heaven. It also made me think about how strange it is to loose something so much a part of you and yet because of that loss I have Huddy & Ty and I may not have them had the miscarriage not happened...that I am SO thankful for. You'd think after coming home from a movie about a dogs life with a great family I would have come home and hugged Daisy (I did =)) but mostly I wanted to scoop my 4 babies up into my arms and sob. God is good, He always is, and He always will be. Thank you Lord for this reminder, for this memory that came flooding back, and for being there for me 6 years later.

AAU Basketball

2009-01-18T09:52:00.004-07:00

This was Jaxon's first season of AAU basketball and it was much more like real basketball! As much as I love Upwards there is just a different level of intensity that comes with AAU ball. And the kids actually play a position, run plays, foul, steal the ball, and GET into it! Or maybe I should say I GET into it! He plays for the Meridian Wolf pack and considering that they have only been together for 5 weeks they did pretty dang good! This weekend they played in a tournament with just 4th graders (last tourney was against 5th graders...boy, one year makes a difference). So they actually won two of the 4 games that they played! This was a BIG deal! Its great to see the boys get a taste of success when they have worked so hard the last few weeks.

Jaxon had an awesome weekend. He plays point guard and can dribble through just about anything! He had 11 points in the last game and considering they only scored 31 total, that's great! He had 4 or 5 steals for lay ups, really learned how to draw the foul and had some awesome assists! He even threw up a shot at the half time buzzer and it went in! The crowd went wild....you would have thought we just won the championship! I have to say, I never thought 4th grade basketball could be so exciting! I get giddy just thinking about it!

But what impresses me most is the incredible attitude my son has. Jay and I just look at each other and wonder where he got that from! He is all smiles win or loose and he asked Jay after the last game "what could I work on to get better dad?". And he really wants to know! Considering he is one of the best players on the team that's amazing to me. He's not a ball hog, but he's not afraid to keep shooting even if he misses. I hear him after every game encouraging his other team mates, telling them what they did great out there. There is no pride, or arrogance just a teachable spirit and a true love for the game. Oh, Lord, I pray he keeps this attitude! What an inspiration he is to me and Jay.

#3, Point Guard for the Wolfpack....Jaxon Huuuuuughes!

Free Throw shot...yeah....it went in!

Antoher Free Throw

From the Foundation, Up!

2009-01-18T09:37:00.002-07:00

Last week Foundations Academy held an open house for anyone who wanted to come walk the framed halls of the new school building. So of course we had to be there! They had hot chocolate to drink for everyone (good thing...it was BRRRRRR cold), and sharpie markers to use so that the kids and parents could write their names and favorite verse on the framed building. It was so fun! The kids loved finding where their classes will be next year and even Ty and Huddy had fun running through the kindergarten rooms. Huddy wrote and H on the wall and Ty wrote a T! We are so excited that this new building is literally right across the street from our subdivision! What a blessing from the Lord!

The kids in the halls of Foundations!

Little boys in Kindergarten room...someday boys, someday...

Kenna's markings

Jaxon writing on the door post of the 4th grade room.

Oh, how we cant wait for the fall of 2009!

December Recap

2009-01-01T17:52:00.007-07:00

Since December was such a whirlwind I'm going to have to recap all that we did!

The day after we got home from Yakima we started decorating for Christmas. The day Jay and the kids put the lights up on the house it was almost 55 degrees! Since it was so warm we had chili out on the front porch for lunch! The kids loved this!

Here they are on the roof!

Aren't they funny!

While they were all outside putting up lights I was inside decorating the house with Christmas music blaring!

I worked on homemade Christmas gifts.

We had lots of snow to play in!

The kids had a blast in all the snow!!!

We hosted our HFG's Christmas party!

Steph and I spent a whole day making soups!

We went to the Botanical Gardens' Winter Garden festival! Beautiful!

We went to a Blazer game in Salt Lake with Jaxon, Kenna and the Turners. Fun but fast.

The Day the whole family arrived in Boise we had a little party to watch BSU in the Poinsettia bowl....slightly disappointing, but fun to hang out and have football food together!

Look at these cuties!

Christmas Eve Day we put our Gingerbread House and Gingerbread Train together!

Christmas Eve we went to Calvary Chapels Christmas Eve service that was wonderful and then over to Chad & Bridgette's for dinner and presents.

The kids waiting so patiently for their first present!

Tyson LOVED his new football slippers...he just had to dance around in them for us!

We hosted Christmas Day at our house so we started off the morning with the kids opening their stockings by the fire. We then spent the morning getting ready for lunch with the rest of the family. We had a WONDERFUL prime rib dinner with lots of yummy sides to go with! We finished lighting our advent wreath and spent the day hanging out with family.

On Christmas Day evening we went over to the Moffatt's for their annual (we make it when we are in town) Christmas play done by kids only! Its such a great way for the kids to remember the story of Christ's birth! It was so fun!

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Our last night together we went bowling down at Westies, then drove up to Quail Ridge to check out the most decked out holiday house in Boise and then back to the Hughes dome to for chili and corn bread. It was a great way to end our time together before Mom, Dad, and the Grandparents headed back to Yakima.

Setting up for a Mission Thanksgiving

2008-12-05T10:27:00.005-07:00

The day before Thanksgiving we went down to the Mission with the kids and helped set the tables for Thanksgiving dinner, which they were going to have 2 of. One the day before and one day of Thanksgiving. It was such a great experience for the kids and it gave us so many opportunities to talk about the important things. Kenna was extremely excited that the homeless people would have good food to eat. She is so tender it melts my heart! Even the little boys were a big help.

Picking out napkins for the dinner.

The finished product in the banquet room.

Ty putting silverware on the table.

Hudson was a perfectionist when it came to where and how the silverware was supposed to be placed on the table. =)

Jax was in charge of place mats and cups!

Kenna too helped in every area possible!

Mamo & Papa with Ty peaking out behind papa's back!

Grandpa Rog, Jax & Kenna.

34 again

2008-12-05T10:09:00.004-07:00

So apparently I'm 34 THIS year...seems Ive been thinking I was already 34 so that was a nice surprise to me! =) Just goes to show you once you pass 30...WHO CARES! Since my big day was on Thanksgiving this year we celebrated the day before at El Portons in Yakima with the fam! It was fun and I was even serenaded by the waiters who so kindly made me wear a ginormous sombrero! Good times!

I LOVED all of the homemade cards I got from the kids and Jay this year!

Stylin!

Jaxon wanted to know why they sang "Happy Bird day dear Header"...

Fried Ice Cream that was passed down to the kid side of the table and was gone in about 3 seconds! PARANAS!

The Heathers!

My Norma-ama!

The kids!

Fall-ing behind!

2008-12-05T09:53:00.003-07:00

I just love Fall! The mornings are crisp but it warms up enough to be outside in the afternoons. The kids loved playing in the leaves and I was amazed at how many more leaves we had this year. When those maple trees are full size were gonna be neck high in leaves! =)

Hudson wasn't too sure about being covered in "dirty" leaves.

My thoughts exactly! What little girl wouldn't want to do a cartwheel through a huge pile of leaves!!! So fun!

What a cutie pie!

This pile was racked, destroyed, racked, destroyed...you get the picture!

Kenna with her Daisy Duke!

A fun filled Saturday!

2008-11-10T09:42:00.004-07:00

Well...Saturday was a FULL day! We went to the 10:30am showing of Disney on Ice which was fun except for the fact that Lightning McQueen and Mater didn't show up. Hudson and Ty were VERY disappointed. After the show Chad & Bridgette took the little boys home with them and Jay and I took Jax & Kenna to the BSU game which was going on right across the parking lot! That was a lot of fun! Ive figured out the way to my two oldest kids hearts...for JAxon: be a mom who cares about sports, talks with him about sports and gets excited about sports...No problem! For Kenna: talk, be together, do fun things as a family, talk, be together and do fun things! We had such a great time with them! And way to go BSU! It was a blow out!

Hudson eagerly awaiting Disney on Ice...Jaxon was a good sport...he informed me that it wasn't really his "thing", but he was happy to go to support the little boys.
NEMO!

Hudson with his very expensive plastic crown with Mickey ears that he didn't want to wear!~

Mickey & Friends!

Kenna almost ate the whole bag....she better....it too was WAY to expensive!

My little boys & their not cheep box of popcorn...Disney's a rip off! Even though the boys didn't get to go to the game they wanted to wear their jerseys too!

TY TY!

Bridge, with Em and Levi!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BSU GAME~

We could get into this! GO BSU!

Halloween

2008-11-01T09:12:00.004-06:00

Here are pics from our Halloween fun!

The little Boys got to trick or treat at daddies office!

Fireman Hudson

Dalmatian or "fireman dotty" as Ty called himself

Old School Biker-Jax

Kenna's scared face!

All 4 little darlings!

The 50's girls with the biker boys! Aren't those girls adorable!

I wish I could dress like this!

Bad Dudes!

Avery & Kenna playing the part.

Mitch & Jax...Gotta love the 5 o'clock shadow on Jax.

After the traditional chili, corn bread & salad dinner at the Crockers we hit the streets with the whole crew!

House #1....don't worry I didn't take pictures of all the houses...just his one!

Those little legs couldn't keep up with the big kids so daddy pulled them in the wagon.

Jaxon wearing Chad Crockers glasses....for reals! We thought this looked like a flash back to when Jay was a kid...he had these same frames! YIKES!

Pumpkin Patch for the 3rd time

2008-11-01T09:00:00.003-06:00

The kids visited 3 different pumpkin patches this year! The first was at the Whites home grown patch, which was super fun! My Mom took them to a Pumpkin Patch while we were out of town which the kids LOVED! And Here are pictures from the last one at the Berry Patch.

Ty & Hud

James, Jaxon & Benny

The hay bale maze....looks like I caught someone cheating!

Olivia, Kenna, Avery & Eliza

My little and big pumpkins!

Mohawk

2008-10-31T09:27:00.005-06:00

As many of you know, Hudson's hair has been OFF LIMITS to clipper happy daddy, BUT, the other night at dinner we are having a great discussion with the kids about sin and forgiveness and we ask Huddy what he thinks (its fun to see what a 4 year old can process) and he says...."I want a Mohawk." Not really what I was looking for but that turned the topic to haircuts and how all the boys needed them....30 minutes later, Jay's got Huddy on the counter and is cutting off all the golden hair that I loved so much! And he was enjoying it a little too much! When Hudson decides something, that's that! And then, of course, Ty wanted a Mohawk too! I wouldn't let Jay shave the sides of their head bald so he informed me that he would give them a "Metro Mohawk"....whatever that means! So here we are...Mohawks and all.

Before.....

half way....

LOOK at all that hair!

Ty's turn!

After! They are still so darn cute!

"Franchise"

2008-10-31T08:53:00.005-06:00

Well...football season is officially over. We had a Pizza Party on Wednesday night to finish off a great season with a little fun! We packed way to many people into a room that was too small for us, to loud for most of us and at one point way too hot and then way to cold! But does that really matter when your there to support the greatest freshman football team in Boise?!!! Here are some pics from the night!

One of the mom's made this cake and put all the boys names on it! I was impressed! And the football was made out of a cookie! Each player got their piece of cake with their name on it!
Here is Jaxon getting his award from Coach Joe....bear with me as I brag for a moment. All of the coaches (7 total) split up the boys amongst themselves and gave them all nicknames which they presented at the party. It was so fun to hear about each kid and what they were like out on the field. So Jaxon was presented his award, Last, and by the head coach...Coach Joe. Coach Joe went on to tell everyone that he nick named Jaxon the "FRANCHISE" because after one of the games the head coach from the other team came over and asked Joe "who is #20?" And Coach Joe said "that's Jaxon". The other coach turned to Coach Joe and said "I'll give you 5 of my players for Jaxon." And Coach Joe just smiled and said "Never". So he named him "Franchise". Jay had to explain to Kenna on the way home that a franchise player is a player that the team will not trade to another because they are so valuable. What a tribute to how hard Jax worked this season! We are so proud of you Jax! And I cant wait till next year! GO COUGS!

Proud Mama!

What kid doesn't love getting a trophy AND a certificate with your new nick name on it!

Benny, Mitch and Jax

Mitch and Jax....friends for their whole lives!

Last team huddle....."On 3.....1, 2, 3...COUGARS!"

These are the practice jerseys that the kids got for next season....this was a HUGE hit!

Here's that special piece of cake I was telling you about....one kid said it tasted better because it had his name on it!

White Country!

2008-10-18T18:36:00.006-06:00

Instead of making at trip to the Berry Patch (a pumpkin patch we have gone to the last 4 years) We decided to change things up a little. Michael & Ruthie White invited us over to be a part of their first pumpkin patch pickings with all of their grand kids. They planted a huge garden with all sorts of produce! The kids got to pull carrots & onions out of the ground, they picked corn, peppers, squash and pumpkins! It was obvious that my kids were not accustom to pulling food out of the ground and actually eating it, but they thought pulling it was fun! Michael gave me dried corn stalks for my front porch and the kids all picked their own pumpkins out to put on the porch too!

Who new an onion had such a cute white pom pom flower on top!

Huddy swinging under the big trees!
Here's where the corn stalks came from!
Carrot!
Jaxon found this tiny little watermelon that didn't quite grow like the rest.
What kid doesn't love climbing trees?
Here's Kenna learning that if the corn is ready to eat you will usually find a worm in the top of the corn husk........She was NOT thrilled about this!
Jax picking corn.
Michael had all the kids pick a number out of the basket to see who got to go in what order to pick their pumpkins. Here they are all lined up.
Kenna picking up her prized pumpkin!

Jaxon searching far and wide for the perfect pumpkin.

Its Huddy's turn....any thoughts on which one he will pick?.....
That's right folks....the GREEN one! And there was NO convincing him otherwise...but it was funny to see Michael try and convince him to pick an orange one.
Here they are...all13 kids...9 of them are the Whites grand kids...we just get to tag along...not like they really need anymore kids around! =)
It was a fun day! Thanks Michael and Ruthie for letting us join in on the fun!

2008-09-29T09:52:00.003-06:00

Game day! This was the best game yet! The Cougars won 26 to 0 and it was action packed! My brother Chad took pictures and they turned out awesome! If you'd like to see the rest of them click here!

I'm going to be out of town for the next two games (sob, sob, SOB!) so on the way to Saturdays game I told Jaxon if he's gonna score PLEASE let it be today! =) (no pressure!) He laughed and said "I'm GOING to score today mom"! (not in an arrogant way, but in an "Id do it for you mom" kind of way) And sure enough....he had his first touchdown of the season and I was there to witness it, scream and holla for it, and praise God for it! I know it seems like a silly thing to ask for but I'm glad God gives us little pleasures like seeing my son score a touchdown! After the game he gave me a big hug and said "I got you your touchdown mom!". Then we talked about it the whole way home! I love football! My brother got his touch down in motion which makes it even more sweet! I told him he was free to score as many touchdowns as he could even if I wasn't there! =)

Game day: September 27th, 2008

Here come the Cougars! Its a little scary holding the banner when you have 20 crazed nine year olds running in your direction! I did all I could to not get my tootsies stepped on!
Proud Mama!
Fumble recover!!!! Way to go Jaxon! He recovered 2 fumbles in this game! I just think its so awesome that my brother got it on film...or memory card...whatever.
GO JAXON!
This is the beginning of the TD!
Jumping through a few guys.....
He finds a hole....
TOUCHDOWN! And the crowd goes wild....well at least his mother went wild!
Final score
Way to go Cougars! You Rock!

3 games in one post...I cant hardly keep up!

2008-09-21T17:40:00.007-06:00

The Cougars are 1, 1 and 1! (1win, 1loss, 1tie)

The last 3 weeks have been electric! I tell you what...I LOVE football especially when my boy's playing! Here are some highlights from the last 3 games.

These pictures are of the posters we (we being some of the mom's of boys on the team) made for the players to run through at the beginning of the game. So fun! Took me back to the good ole' poster making days at IKE. I was in my element...notice my giant footballs...hee hee!

Game #1: Lost 13 to 7...great game!

Here come the Cougars! Cant you just hear the crowd cheering!

Here is Jay calling plays for the offense...he loves it!

Jaxon waiting to attack!

Game #2: Tie (0 to 0) Defensive game if I ever saw one.

I can hardly stay seated at these things! And I'm sure Steph and Joanne are tired of sitting by what they now call the megaphone...its not the first time in my life! =)
Here are the sisters cheering for the Cougars! I think next year they will for sure sign up and were Cougar colors to cheer!
Jaxon's not easy to take down!

So focused!

The intensity!!!!

Jaxon carrying the ball. Go #20!
After the game the parents make a tunnel and the boys run through it...we hoop and holla...you know how it goes!

Game #3: WIN!!! 7-0!!!!!

It was POURING down rain but that wont keep us from rooting on our favorite team....it did however mean a trip to Rite Aid to find umbrellas! Me, Steph & Joanne! We are 3 dedicated Mama's!
Half time under the only covering around!

Look at Jay in his rain gear! These boys were soaked to the bone!
After the game Jax & Jay pose in the mud that Jaxon was tackled in multiple times. But one of the times it seriously looked like Jaxon's helmet did a canon ball into the biggest mud puddle on the field. When he got up you could only see his big white smile shining through all the mud that covered his entire face! There was a huge chunk of mud stuck in his helmet and his white pants were now a nice shade of brown! Jay was laughing at him and all his buddies were cracking up too! He got the award for dirtiest player! It was awesome!
This is after coach Chris helped Jaxon clean up a tad.
After the game...trying to take wet clothes off isn't easy!
After Jaxon got cleaned up we headed over to one of the coaches, bosses "cabin" (14,000 square feet!) to watch BSU take down Oregon! It was a fun filled day to say the least!

Happy Birthday Mamo!

2008-09-21T17:30:00.003-06:00

I just want to say Happy Birthday to my wonderful mom! I hope you were able to do a little celebrating since your day was so packed! I think its great that you were willing to give up your special day to make someone else's special day fabulous by using your decorating gift to beautify her wedding! I'm sure you enjoyed putting the pieces together to make everything gorgeous! You've always been excellent at the creative details! Wish we could have been with you to give you a big birthday hug! We send our love from Boise! Happy Day!

A swinging time!

2008-09-04T17:15:00.002-06:00

This was just a fun video!

Lagoon

2008-09-03T21:04:00.007-06:00

Our Labor Day weekend was supposed to be camping but due to fires we had to make other plans so we at the last minute decided to drive to Salt Lake City to ride roller coasters at Lagoon...which was AWESOME! We went with the Crockers and because Chad is military we got to stay at the air force base for cheep! It was fantastic!

These kids were SO excited to get into the park and ride some rides!
Ty Ty checking out whether he is tall enough to ride the ride....he's good!
What's an amusement park with out giant ice cream cones....
And giant snow cones!
Huddy & Steph riding the dragon...its a little kid roller coaster that goes around and around...harmless really....but Ty and Huddy didn't like it...."it goes down and down too much" Hudson said!
Ty didn't look this happy after the ride...."dats scawee"
This was the first ride of the day....the WICKED..and Kenna's first coaster ever! She was so nervous and so brave at the same time! This is the before shot...
This is after! She loved it!
Same ride just the Crockers & the boys...before....Jaxon's first coaster too.

After!
Chad "why am I so wet?"
Log ride
The ladies on the Lady bop!
Avery & Kenna rode until we made them stop!

This is what 9 year old boys are all about.
Ty & Hud LOVED the carousel, until the third time we got on and Hudson DIDN'T get the zebra...he pouted the whole time.
Red Baron & his little brother....I think they rode this about 7 times
I love this picture
Its been a great day and now its time to head home!

The Sky Coaster....Yeah Baby!

2008-09-03T20:24:00.005-06:00

Stephanie and I got crazy and paid money to have our bodies placed into body bags, attached to a cable, then lifted 153 feet in the air to be exact, to then have to pull our own rip cord which is just cruel(Steph did that...I couldn't take the pressure!), to then fall at top speeds of 80 miles an hour straight down to then be soaring just barely over rooftops! I thought for sure I was plummeting to my death! But we survived and I can say I will never forget that experience! Check out the video of it below! CRAZY!

Me & Steph in line...awaiting our demise!
Next up....suckers!
Don't they look like body bags? That's what I thought!
Think JAWS music....
WE SURVIVED!

This is what setting a good example for you kids looks like! =)

1st Day of School

2008-09-02T21:41:00.002-06:00

I know, I know....they have been in school for a week and a half and I'm just now getting the pictures posted. Anyway...Here's how the day went:

6:00 am: my alarm goes off "Do I really have to get up this early? Where is Jay? Oh yeah...in Dallas"

6:30 am: Jaxon is up and ready to go...its like 3 months of summer never happened for him...how does he do that?

7:00 am: wake up the other 3 munchkins (notice the picture of Kenna below)

7:15 am: try and take a few pictures of Jaxon...it is the first day of school after all.

7:20 am: Jaxon informs me that we are going to be late for school because we are leaving 5 minutes later than daddy usually leaves...."well daddy's not here so we're leaving on mommy time, plus I'm a better driver"...all children agree.

7:45 am: we drop Jaxon off at school with 15 minutes to spare....see.

7:50-10:45 am: drive all the way back home, feed kids breakfast, turbo jam, take a shower, get ready, make a few calls.....almost forget to take a picture of Kenna, drop the little boys off at the Moffatt's.

11:15 am: eat a quick lunch in the car with Kenna, talk about how smart she is going to be this year!

11:30 am-1:30 pm: 1st grade orientation

1:30-2:15pm: visit with families we haven't seen over the summer and wait for Jaxon to be done with his first day in the 4th grade. Visit Jaxon's room to see where he gets to sit, Meet Mr. Daniel.

2:15-2:45pm: Making it through the first day of school celebration: Anything you want from Dairy Queen!!

2:50pm: pick up boys at Moffatt's (thanks April...your a life saver!)

3:15pm: Mom's gotta lay down!

4:00- 5:00 pm: feed Jaxon an early dinner before football practice, do a load of laundry, make a few phone calls.

Is it time for bed yet?

6:00pm: Feed the rest of the kids & myself dinner

6:45-7:15pm: read books to kids

7:45 pm: All are tucked into bed...except Jax...he's just getting home from football.

8:00-8:30pm: Feed Jaxon his second dinner & then he heads to bed!

8:45pm: Hot bath, good cry, I miss my husband!

9:15pm: sawing logs!

I really do prefer to do the first day of school with Jay...sorry for the lack of pictures. I cant DO everything, people! =)

Rise & Shine Sunshine!
Kenna at her desk
Jaxon with all his "supplies"
My big 4th grader!
Kenna loaded with her goodies too!

Jamboreeeeeeeeeee

2008-08-24T09:37:00.004-06:00

OK People! I love, love, love watching my son play football. The entire day was filled with energy....a good breakfast for the athletes, getting the pads & jersey on, heading off to the game with friends & family, parking in the BSU parking lot, walking into the stadium....(don't you have butterflies just thinking of it? I did!), climbing the bleachers and anticipating the arrival of the Meridian Maroon Cougars, a team stacked with great 9 year old boys! Screams, hollers, whooop whooop! Its game time...well, really its only a Jamboree so they only get 5 plays on offense & 5 plays on defense so it was short but very very very sweet! Jaxon had the opportunity to run the ball and he ran for about 10-12 yard....VERY EXCITING! His Uncle Chad got a great picture of him running the ball...so take it all in my friends! The cheerleader in me came BURSTING out at the sight of our team running onto the blue turf....I'm still smiling just thinking of it! When their plays were over I couldn't wait to get down to were Jax was to hear all about it (Jay totally gets the perk of being on the sideline...no fair!). When the coach was done talking with his team Jax came running over to me and gave me a big hug....that's my boy! When I asked him how he liked playing on the blue turf he said " I could get use to that!"....could we possibly have a Bronco in our future....only 9 years to wait and see....until then....GO COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mitch, Jax & Luke before heading off to the game.
Don't ask.
Game face!
Isn't this a sweet team banner! Coach Chad loves it too!
Some of Jaxon's fans who came to watch him play! Thanks for coming y'all!
My Cougs
This is my attempt at getting the stadium behind Jax...security wouldn't let us any closer than this!....Oh well...I love the pic of Jax
Team Huddle....Jumping, Jumping, Jumping.....Go Cougars!
Offense waiting for their turns....Jax is #20
I wish you could see this picture bigger....Jax is on the left carrying the ball....look closely!

2008-08-17T21:58:00.002-06:00

Last weekend JP (my youngest brother), Heather & their kids came for a visit! I always love it when they come! They are some of my most favorite people in the world! We took the kids down to the 8th street fountain to play one afternoon and these are pictures from that event.

Josh, Heath & Kara
Ty sunbathing
Ty Ty loves his Huddy buddy
Ty loves Jasers!
Jax
The ladies (Emme, Kenna & Ella)
Playing in the water is so much fun!
All the cousins together
Left to Right: Levi, Jase, Hudson, Jax, Ella, Emme, Kenna & Ty!
We got out one night...see how excited Jay & Josh are about it!
The Heather's were pretty happy too!

Football Fever!

2008-08-17T21:45:00.003-06:00

We've all got the FEVER! Jaxon started practice this last week and he is LOVING tackle football. When he got his pads, helmet & practice jersey he put them on like 5 times in the first day! I had him running out in the yard, doing football drills (I'm sure they were legit....), it was awesome! Everyone wanted in on the action so Ty & Huddy came outside with their helmets on and Kenna loved chasing Jaxon around the yard trying to tackle him. It might be the first time Jaxon has ever said "hit me real hard, Kenna". She took full advantage of that and socked him in the gut! "NO! Tackle me, not hit me!" he said...."you said hit you" Kenna smiles! Oh the joy...

Jax gets to play on the BSU turf this weekend so stay tuned for those pics!

Jr. Golf Player of the Year!

2008-08-13T19:05:00.003-06:00

We had a special surprise this last Thursday when we showed up to the Jr. Golf Championship banquet. Jaxon took 4th place in the tournie based on his age group, tied for first in a putting contest out of 45 kids (ended up loosing in a putt off by 6 inches), but most surprising was that he was voted by all the pro's at Banbury Golf Club the Player of the Year out of all the kids who come through the program through out the summer! I was brought to tears at all the nice things they said about my Jax. He truly loves the game and never have we pressured him to play...he just loves it! These are pictures from that night! Way to go Jax!

Jaxon giving his "speech" after taking 4th
He had to show off his swing for everyone since he got player of the year!
Jaxon sharing his dessert with hungry little brother!
Golf Banquet. Chicken strips, fries, brownies & ice cream...what more could a kid want after a hard day of golf!
This will for sure make it in the scrapbook!

Tag

2008-07-31T15:44:00.004-06:00

1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Your significant other? Cour De Alene
3. Your hair? straight
4. Your mother? work
5. Your father? work
6. Your favorite thing?family
7. Your dream last night? none
8 Your favorite drink? Pepsi
9. Your dream/goal? humility
10. The room you’re in? laundry
11. Your hobby? scrapbooking
12. Your fear? kidnappings
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? here
14. What you’re not? lonely
15. Muffins? no
16. One of your wish list items? boat
17. Where you grew up? Sacramento
18. The last thing you did? movie
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Favorite gadget? washer & dryer
21. Your pets? Daisy
22. Your computer? laptop
23. Your mood? thankful
24. Missing someone? Jay
25. Your car? cleaned out
26. Something you’re not wearing? watch
27. Favorite store?Loft
28. Like someone? yes
29. Your favorite color? red
30. When is the last time you laughed? today
31. Last time you cried? today

I tag: April, Katie E., Angie T, & Brenda

Apparently I was supposed to try and answer with only one word....I had to come back and redo it! Not so good at the one word answer....it was SO hard!!!!!!! =)

Hughes kid #4 takes the plunge!

2008-07-28T20:57:00.002-06:00

Big News! Tyson is no longer afraid of the water and is now jumping in and swimming around on his own! Please join in our elation...its just one more step forward into kid hood instead of toddler land. Now we just gotta get this kid potty trained....anyone?

Its so adorable the way he lines up back at the fence and runs and jumps in say "watch me" the whole time!
The smallest of the Hughes fishies
All together now!
This is for sure the kids favorite past time during the summer...swimming with daddy in the evenings!

Happy 30th Birthday Bridge!

2008-07-28T20:36:00.003-06:00

Saturday night a group of Bridgette's friends threw her a surprise girls night out for her 30th birthday (which is actually next weekend but she will be busy listening to harmonicas so this weekend seemed like a good time.) The best part is that we actually pulled it off without her knowing! Chad told her they were going to dinner at On the Boarder (her fav) so she gladly went. We all started singing happy birthday when she walked in! It was really fun! After diner we walked over to the movie theatre and saw Mamma Mia (my new favorite movie & soundtrack)! We were all dancing in our seat..well kind of...we all wanted to!

Happy Birthday Bridge! I hope you had a great time being with all the girls and celebrating this big milestone. You are such a great friend to so many & it was fun to get to be around some of them. I know so many more would have loved to have been there. You are a blessing to me I'm thankful to the Lord for giving me such a great sister-in-law. I pray that the Lord would bless you this next decade! Welcome to the 30's!

Love,
Heather

This is B looking surprised about 10 minutes after the actual surprise....I forgot to get my camera out for the real thing!
Cake time

On the Boarder dinner
Mamma Mia!!!! LOVED it!

The girls feeling the need to break out and dance! (poor fella who took our picture probably thought we were crazy!)

Rainbow Point Camping Trip

2008-07-28T17:19:00.005-06:00

Our camping trip with the Beglinger's, MOffatt's & Wolin's was FABULOUS! We had 8 adults and 15 kids and everyone got along. It was fantastic. Its so great to have friends who parent their kids in a similar way...I think that helps the situation. =) The kids were kind to one another and they had a blast playing together for 3 days. We camped at Rainbow Point which is right on Lake Cascade. We rented Jet ski's one day and had a boat for the weekend so we played and played and played in the water! It was perfect! A bunch of the kids learned to knee board, Jaxon & Kenna included. I was so proud of them! Its so fun to see your kids learn to do things that you use to do as a kid and to see them really enjoy it. Good times!

All 23 of us!

We had some fire lovers this trip.

The Wolins brought up their shaved ice machine and we all had snow cones one night. This was the real deal! Lisa ordered "real" flavors online and shared them with all of us. She even had Tigers Blood....my favorite!

We of course had smores one night!

There was even a marshmallow roasting contest between Jay & I. I was tired of listening to him brag about how good his roasting abilities were. I'm sure I beat him too! =)

Brock(4), Ty (2), Marc (2), Ben (2)

These guys had a blast together!

Jax & Ryan the bike riding machines!
Katy, Sarah & Kenna...were missing Grace & Ellie but all the girls had a blast together!
Morning walk down to the water

Gotta build a sandcastle!

Here's Jack pushing the little boys around on the floaty! Ty LOVED it!
Huddy on the jet ski with Jay. This is a big deal! He wouldn't even get near them last year!

This year he wanted to drive...of course!

Jax & Kenna ready to hit the wakes with daddy!

Daisy Duke LOVED the water...she just needs obedience class and then she will really be ready for trips like this.

Ellie, Me, Ty & Huddy on the boat

Kenna learning to knee board.
Go Kenna! Go Kenna! Go, Go, Go Kenna!

Way to go Jaxon! He was the first kid to try it and he made it look easy!
About as excited as this boy gets! He loved it!
Sara, Jay, Ty & Huddy ready for another boat ride.

Thanks B's, M's & W's for such a great weekend! Looking forward to a repeat next year!

Ride 2008

2008-07-23T15:01:00.002-06:00

Year 3 of the annual motorcycle trip:

They rode from Boise to Challis, Idaho
From Challis to Mazula MT
Mazula to Lewiston, Id
Lewiston, Home.

These are some of the awesome pictures that my ever so talented brother Chad took on the trip. To see all of the pics go to his website @ www.philldog.com

Left to right: Chad, Pat, Dad David, Josh, Jay & Matt
Such a cool picture....I am totally framing this!
Another super cool pic!

Happy Birthday Hudson

2008-07-22T20:30:00.003-06:00

On July 13th my blue eyed Huddy turned 4. What a blessing he has been in my life the last 4 years. Ive learned a lot about myself being Hudson's mom...mostly that I'm a sucker for those beautiful eyes of his! Unfortunately I woke up the morning of his birthday with the flu and didn't really get to spend much of the day with him. I crawled out of bed that evening when the party began and sat on the couch watching my little guy beam while opening his presents. We had a spider man birthday party because for some reason he loves spider man....weird since he had never seen an episode until I got a DVD for him to watch just a few weeks ago! We had to cancel on most of the guest list since I was ill but we had the extended family around so it was less work for me but still fun for Huddy! Good thing my mom was here or we may have had to post pone the party another week! On the morning of his big day he came in to say hi. I told him Happy Birthday and that I couldn't believe he was finally 4. He turned to me and said "I'm not 3 any more? (long pause....fist pump) "YES!" I love the things little kids say!

Hudson Eli Hughes you are my sweet sweet boy! I love you with all my heart and I will always be thankful to the Lord for the gift you are to me. You have grown up so fast and yet I love that you still want your mommy around. I love tickling you and hearing your laugh most of all. It always makes me laugh and sometimes makes me want to cry because I know that one day your laugh wont be so childlike. I love how you randomly tell me you love me at least 10 times a day... (like when your on the potty, getting buckled in the car, playing computer.....and so on). And I love telling you stories before bed and watching your face as you anticipate what's going to happen. I pray little Huddy that you would one day grow up to be a man of God and that you would serve Him with your whole heart. I love you baby.

Love,
Mama

What do you know! A spider man car!

This was too funny! We got Hudson and electric guitar for his birthday and he strapped that thing on, got up on the hearth and rocked out for us! Look at his face! I just knew God would give me a musical child who I could sing with!

Spidy cake

And of course the Spider man jumping house! Ty played in the jumping house all day and then at the end of the day he finally looked up and noticed the philistine size spider man and ran for his life! "piderman tare me" (spider man scares me) Too FUNNY!

The beloved 4th of July!

2008-07-05T12:20:00.009-06:00

As you all know, the 4th of July is my favorite day of the year and for good reason. There's no pressure...just fun to be had! We had about 55 people over, mostly families with lots of kids, and we had a blast. We swam, played wiffle ball, we had the kids do some races, they played duck duck goose, we ate good food, talked, and let off fireworks. We had a great time! Thanks to everyone who came...this day is so fun to me because of all of you. I love the time we get to be together having fun in the yard. I'm already looking forward to next year!
My sweet American Baby!
Ty getting hosed down after peeing on the pool deck!

The BBQ Master
Moffatt's & Gould's enjoying their dinner
Get your ice cold lemonade
The boys attacking the girls in the pool.
Jaxon getting what he deserved!

SPLASH!
Em & Hud...proud owners of green water balloons.
Water FIGHT! Notice I took this picture while getting hit upside the head with a water balloon!
Jaxon showing off his water balloon toss skillzzzzzzzzzz
All the munchkins lining up for more water balloons

Adi with her grandpa Gary learning how to hit the ball
We played wiffle ball with all the kids...Super Fun!
Look at all those little kids waiting patiently for their turn.
Now its time for a little duck duck goose!
Get her Ty!

And finally I sent the kids on a chase to tackle Mr. Hughes (Jay)
They got him!
Gotta love watermelon in the 4th of July!
Look at how all the kids are either covering their eyes or their ears! And I seem to think its really funny in the picture!
Hud, Brock, Mark, Ellie & Caleb patiently waiting for the action to happen.

Sparklers
Hudson & Brock are so proud of their BIG circles
This was the best one of the night!
I love this picture because you only know there are people over there by our cool glow in the dark red, white & blue necklaces!
The Grand Finale was called High Voltage!

UNTIL NEXT YEAR.........

Boondocks

2008-07-01T22:06:00.003-06:00

Last weekend we took the kids to play mini golf...something "golfy" that we can all do together! We had a blast! Jax beat both me and Jay! I thought I had longer to be good at stuff!
Hudson actually got a whole in 1! Way to go Hud!

We carried our competitiveness to the arcade and raced each other on the race car game! Ty and Mommy won! (but who's counting?)