Porter's School Project

For school Porter had to make something out of recyclable stuff! Well, I'm not too good at this so I put Aaron in charge of this project. I told Aaron about it Wednesday and it didn't get done until Friday morning of course. I was very thankful he did it, I had NO idea what to do, this is the reason Aaron was in charge.
So, the good idea Porter and Aaron came up with was to make a book cover that was cool! This way they were not only putting recyclable products to use, but were also protecting a book. They used Gatorade lids for the wheels and a brown paper bag for the book cover-it brought back memories of high school.

I thought it turned out very cute and Porter was very proud and happy with the finished product. Aaron was such a good helper and very patient through the whole process. Even after waking up at 7:30 A.M.!
Good Porter and Aaron!
Very Cute!

My Baby Brayd

Brayden is just at the cutest age. Learning how to talk, mimicking his brothers and sister and doing silly things is what our days are made of with Brayd.
The other day I walked into the kitchen to see him doing this...

I asked him what he was doing and all he would say is "This" what does that mean?
He loves to stick spatula between the cabinet and dishwasher.

Can you see him putting all of his body weight into it? Such a cute boy.
I LOVE HIM!

Easter Time!

;
I quite like Easter. It is a good time to reflect on what our Savior has done for us. Sometimes Christmas is a little overwhelming but Easter is a bit more low-key. It's fun to still celebrate but not too much!
This year it was a little stressful having Madison's birthday the day before but we did manage to pull everything off and everyone seemed pretty happy with their findings.
The Easter Bunny hid the candy eggs that we had filled Saturday night in the house. Then the sweet little bunny hid some eggs with money in them outside. Madison found the "big" money egg and she was pretty excited about that.
I didn't get any pictures of the egg part of the hung-I was video taping- however, I did get the basket part.
Brayden found his basket where the books go.

Ry found his in the vacuum closet.

Porter's was behind the entertainment center.

Madison's was in a washer.

And Aaron's was in the bottom of the pantry mixed in with some water bottles. I was pretty proud that it took him a little while to actually find it once in the pantry.

The kids each got a pair of sunglasses, some flip-flops/shoes, a beach towel, a shirt, some water toys, and some goggles.
They looked so cute that I wanted to take a picture of them. I kept asking them to just stand still but all they would do was "pose" so Aaron told me to just start taking pictures. I am very glad I did because this is what I got....
I LOVE IT!
Yep, the story of my life. 3 CRAZY boys and 1 ANGEL girl.
After their craziness was let loose they stood for a "normal" picture.

I really love my babies, I just don't know what I would do if I didn't have them. They bring so much happiness, craziness, stress, love and joy into our lives.
HAPPY EASTER!

My Baby Madison Turned 7!

I can't believe how my baby girl has grown up right before my eyes! 7 years ago I was just learning how to be a mom. Now I'm an expert!:) Don't ya think? Well, maybe an expert at making them but not so much raising the monkeys!

A tradition I carried on from Aaron's mom is decorating for each birthday and opening up presents first thing in the morning. Madison ended up with a lot more treats then presents this year, but really, what does a 7 year old NEED?

Every girl needs a birthday outfit right? She looks SO cute!

Aaron just started taking pictures of me saying that he just wanted to. So, I had to document this special moment.

Madison was cute to let her brothers open her presents with her.

She got some fun stuff.

We then went to McDonald's for some breakfast......

I still love my Raisin Bran!

We did a little shopping in the middle of the day then went to the "Hannah Montana" movie. The kids really enjoyed it and we had a lot of fun. We left Brayd with Joanna but took the rest of them.
After the movie we were ready for some dinner, so where else would we go but the Pizza Factory for the famous "7"

Madison enjoyed her "7" and almost ate the whole thing!

This was one side of the table...

And this the other.
I feel bad that the older kids are sitting so far away from us. I guess they have become independent. We really do love them just as much as the babies.
PROMISE!

That night we went shopping AGAIN! Poor Madison, one day she will love to shop all day on her birthday, just maybe not when she's 7.

We finally got home that night at about 8:00. We were all worn out and Madison wanted to blow her candle out on a sugar cookie from the mall. So we let her. Remember....we are all pretty burned out on cake and ice cream after having 5 birthdays in less than a month with Madison's being the last.

After Madison blew out hers the boys each had to blow one out on their cookies also.

The Family-Aaron. With their cookies.
They were YUMMY!

A good end to the night was filling plastic eggs with candy for the Easter Bunny to hide. The whole color of the eggs is WAY to much work right now. More color ends up being spilled then coloring the eggs. Maybe next year.....

I hope my baby Madison had a good birthday! I am so thankful for her and for the good girl she is. She is such a BIG helper. I really don't know what I would do without her help. She is super mature for her age which sometimes is sad, but more times than not I love it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON,
I LOVE YOU!!

Another Trip to Vegas

Aaron's parents invited us to Vegas so, the spontaneous girl that I am (I'm finally getting back to it now that my babies are growing up and getting easier) packed us up and headed down. Aaron's grandparents came also which was very fun and we are so thankful Grandpa Payne is still with us and in good health!
We headed down on Wednesday night. We checked in to the Trendwest, had some nasty dinner from the food court (what do you expect right?) and did some shopping.

I think Brayd and Grandpa Payne felt the same about shopping-Not so excited but trying to be good boys.
We got some cute stuff so it was worth it.

The next day Aaron needed to go over to Pahrump to work so the rest of us went to Treasure Island for a buffet. I'm not a huge buffet person so that was the most expensive Raisin Bran I've EVER had! I do think the kids got their moneys worth, especially because Brayd and Ry were free. Aaron's dad made a comment that I have to agree with. He said "Go back in 10 years when all your boys are grown. Then you'll get your money back!" How true is that?

In order to avoid a big tip fee we had to sit seperately. We weren't too far apart so it wasn't bad. Grandma and Grandpa got stuck with Ry and Porter.

The rest of us sat together. Madison loved the food. She is surely my little girl. Brayd is a good poser for the camera.

Porter's favorite part was of course the donuts. I don't know which one he loved more, the fact that he got donuts for breakfast, or that I let him have as many as he wanted...
Probably both!

Brayden also enjoyed his donut.

HE IS SO CUTE!

As soon as our tummy's were all full we went back to spend the rest of the day at the pool.

Sorry about the dark picture but I had to document Ry's comment.
On our way back Ry was sitting in the back with me. Both grandpa's were in the front and the grandma's were in the middle seat. As we were driving Ry say's, "There are lots of grandma's and grandpa's in here!"

I was a little slow getting to this pool but when I did get there I found Ry and Porter in these little pots. Grandma doesn't care, but Grandpa about had a heart attack when he saw them.

Porter will always keep us entertained

Ry will always have a good stunt-man to keep him entertained

Brayd loved to let Grandma pull him around the pool while he kicked back and relaxed!

That night we went to The Cheesecake Factory for dinner. It was good food but took way too long to get it.

Madison loves to hang out with her Aunt Ashley. I think Ashley loves Madison too. Ashley was Madison's age when Madison was born. Crazy! Here they are with their Grandma Payne. I should have got Aaron's mom in this picture too.

I think Brayd is a LITTLE like me. I was just taking this picture of Ry with Grandma and Brayd stuck his big face in front of the camera and opened his mouth.

I really like this picture. We are so thankful that they are happy, healthy and TOGETHER!

Madison got sang to for her birthday. It was very cute and she picked Peanut Butter Cheesecake for her dessert.
Madison is one beautiful girl!

After we got home from dinner Aaron thought he was So So sick.

And so did the babies!

We had a good time in Vegas and are glad Aaron's parents invited us to come along to spend time with them and Grandpa and Grandma Payne.

Did I really do that?

DO YOU STILL WONDER WHERE PORTER GETS IT FROM?

Porter even took the picture...We are a good team.

Brayd and his Daddy

It was so nice to be able to sit and watch conference with Aaron on Saturday. This is the first time we've been able to do it. Last conference Aaron was running the marathon and all the ones before that he has been working. It was pretty relaxing and enjoyable! We were all getting settled and I looked over to find this......

Brayd could really sit for like 10 minutes like this as long as we are tickiling him.
Aaron and I both love to be tickled, but I think out of all the kids he LOVES it the most!
Brayd loves his Daddy!

A Swim Day For Us!

Porter has been asking to try out his new "scuba gear" he got for his birthday so we all headed over to Summit.

I'm hoping that by the end of the summer Brayd and Ry venture over to the not-so-shallow part of the pool. I guess time will tell.

Brayd just likes to turn the wheels.

I found my "fish!" Porter really does love to swim and he is so good at it. It directs his energy in a good way.

Porter was cute to hold Brayd in the hot tub and walk around singing him a song. He really is a good big brother!

As we were unloading the car from swimming Brayd found something better to do...

I really do wonder why he loves to climb so much. This would be scary to me. Him and Porter just don't have real fear. Boys will be Boys!

Not even 2 hours later I found Brayd like this....

I really do love my boys and they make life SO exciting!
I'm ok with a house full of boys.