Love Abounds

Valentine's Day 2010.... We had spinach stuffed manacotti and heard-shaped breadsticks for dinner. Tyson helped me make it. We've had a lot of fun cooking together on Sundays now that we have church from 1-4pm. We make something and put it in the oven to bake while we're gone. His goal is to make a whole meal by himself soon. I LOVE having his help/company in the kitchen.

Valentine's Eve: Rick and I went to a party with some friends. Tyson babysat (Paige slept). We came home to this. It was so sweet. Bradley was on the floor next to them. We had a fun morning as a family.

The boys all got new sneakers, Paige tried them on, while getting her fill of chocolate. My Valentine to her was a helium balloon. I knew she'd love it. It was also part of the center piece with some flowers for our dinner.

But they couldn't have been more excited about the Valentines' from Grandma and Grandpa Hoyle. After Kate saw her $4 dollar bills she shouted "I'm free!." Later, she said "I can buy ANYTHING I want!"

Showing off his 8 dollar bills. He was so happy that Grandma rounded up.

Paige helping herself to one of her favorite and most accessible foods. Thankfully she put something healthy in her body after all that chocolate.

The next two days were mid-winter break (shortened due to the teachers' strike in September). Monday, the kids played with their friends all morning, then we went to the Supermall as a family in the afternoon to rent skis and climb the wall. Tuesday the boys went skiing with Rick. It was Bradley's first time, and Tyson's 3rd.

I'm in BIG trouble

So the kids and I are reading the Friend magazine for FHE tonight and there is a picture of a dog. Paige got excited about it. I said "if she can say doggie, I'll get one." Mind you, this is a 16 month old that can only say mom, dad, and hi-and not on command. Also, this is 3 other kids that REALLY want a dog. I had no idea that I had set myself up for disaster.
After about a minute, Paige said "Do die" WHAT?????
My poor kids were so excited, discussing what breed, when we'd go to the pet store...
until I dashed their hopes again, telling them they were only getting a stuffed animal.
OOPS!

Bargain Shoppers Lottery

I am admittedly a bargain shopper through and through. I pretty much don't buy anything unless I feel like I'm getting a deal. In fact one of my new favorite websites is Common Sense With Money. I love Craigslist, garage sales, Ross, Target/Kohls clearance, the list goes on.

But today, my friend Tia and I got a great deal at Fred Meyer. We had picked out some earrings that were supposed to be 70% off clearance. Already a super deal at only $.99. But when we got to the register she had a pair that rang up for $.02! We had a little celebration-you'd thought we'd won the lottery- and then the gal rang me up and mine came up the same price. Grantid they were only $5 earrings to begin with, but still, that was 99.6% off. Probably my best deal ever! Cool, I'll wear them with pride!

Glamour Girls

Kate and I had fun doing hair the other day while Paige napped. We both had on new outfits and decided to take some pictures just for fun.

Baby Don't You Cry, Gonna Make a Pie

Kate and I made pies one Saturday evening while the boys were out and Paige was asleep. It reminded me of one of my favorite songs from the movie "The Waitress."

When the world is gray and bleak

Baby don't you cry

I will give you every bit of love that's in my heart

I will bake it up into a simple little pie

Baby don't you cry

Gonna make a pie

Gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle

Baby don't be blue

Gonna make for you

Gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle.

Gonna be a pie from heaven above

Gonna be filled with strawberry love

Baby don't you cry

Gonna make a pie

And hold you forever in the middle of my heart.

Baby here's the sun

Baby here's the sky

Baby I'm your light and I'm your shelter

Baby you are mine

I could freeze the time

Keep you in my kitchen with me forever

Gonna be a pie from heaven above

Gonna be filled with strawberry love

Baby don't you cry

Gonna make a pie

And hold you forever in the middle of my heart.

Gonna bake a pie from heaven above

Gonna be filled with butterscotch love

Gonna bake a pie from heaven above

Gonna be filled with banana creme love

Baby don't you cry

Gonna bake a pie

Hold you forever

Hold you forever

And hold you forever in the middle of my heart.

You can listen to it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avg8EjzWHZc

Paige LOVES....

to try on everyone's shoes (this is her favorite pair, Kate's friend Susie's boots).

to help mommy (stirring eggs; an act of bravery on my part!)

to eat by herself using utensils. Actually the ONLY way she will eat.

to wear bows in her hair. Oh wait, maybe that's my favorite thing. This is her new hairstyle. Everyone has been commenting how grown-up she looks.

to dance to music. She is very proud when she turns on the IPOD all by herself.

to get her own snacks. Pouring a bowl of her favorite cereal, Oatmeal Squares.

to sit in the fridge and turn off the light.

to do everything Mom and Dad do. We had just finished fixing this cabinet when she found a tool and started imitating.

to PLAY!

to go outside. She wants to walk or go on stroller rides at all hours and in any weather. Let's go Mom!

to be Mommy's little helper......and oh what help it is! We love you, Paige.

Dancing the Night Away

My friend, Kristen, is a dance teacher at a local studio. She got me into a free Advanced Tap class. I dusted off my shoes (it had been atleast 8 years since I'd worn them) and had fun. They tried to get my to join the class or teach, but I declined (maybe when Kate and Paige take).
I came home a gave the kids a demo/lesson.

Tyson did NOT want his picture taken, but could actually do what I was teaching him.

Kate had a great time putting on a knee-kickin' show.

Bradley was surprisingly the one who started it all, but of course embarassed.

The Boys went to Ballard

To the FALLS with FAMILY

It had been years since we had been out to see Snoqualmie Falls. Having company in town was the perfect excuse to get us there. Rick's sister Angie and her husband, Craig, come into town for a long weekend.
The kids gave us resistance at first, because they thought they'd rather play with their friends...but halfway into the hike they said they never wanted to leave.
The weather was phenomenal for early January.

Our little hiker with a walking stick

And our big climber, monkeying around.

We also got to go out to the Marakesh, a Moroccan restaurant downtown. We were disappointed we forgot our cameras, but it was a fun and memorable experience.

'

Fun with Great Aunt Kay

Lucky for me, my Aunt Kay never had children, so she just spoils me and mine. Over flowing bubble baths... always tattoos, as many as you want, wherever you want (even if mom says no tattoos where they can't be hidden by clothes).

great treasures from countries around the world. This year were items from Africa such as bracelets, key chains, necklaces, whistles..
and a wonderful 'bag of tricks' luring all of the children. Tyson scored a pen with a secret thumb drive inside, as well as cool posters, books, and all sorts of items.

And even though Kate told her she looked old, she still helped take care of her while Rick and I went off skiing for the day.

Wow she really is a GREAT Aunt Kay. Thanks!! We love you.

Not for the Squeemish

Rick said "I took one for the team tonight." after Paige threw-up all over him! Oh the joys of sick children. We've done much laundry, carpet cleaning, medicating, holding.... Rick was later quoted saying "it actually felt pretty good at first, being warm and all."?????

Sick kids are so nice and cuddly though. The silver lining of sickness I guess.

I Still Believe

Our German Pancakes were atleast 12" high, but by the time I grabbed the camera they had fallen, but they were still delicious. No, we didn't eat first...but the kids slept in until 8am:-).

Tyson trying out the wii. When asked what he had to say about receiving it he said he was speechless.

Bradley showing off his Bakugan. When asked what he thought about getting the wii, he said "I would have screamed, but there were too many people watching."

Paige was happy with her little red purse from her stocking, until she got ahold of Kate's FurReal and wouldn't let go for me to get it out of the packaging.

Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed at 8am. That's what a new Barbie can bring I guess.

Wii had a very merry Christmas this year.

The next day we went to my parents house. I told Tyson that I still believe,because I got what I wanted for Christmas this year, a new laptop! (Thanks Mom and Dad)