Ode to the Irish

Here is a shout out to Shayne, Iilona and family for hosting us in Ireland. Such fun we had. Yes I posted pictures but I still have a ton. (and I wish I would have taken more!)
Noah and Sarah. All the kids just loved her but Noah was just a little boy about it. He was always watching out for her and putting toys right in her face. She loved him!
Noah and Ben the morning after we got there. It was fun for them to do so much together. Such good boys!...even if they hit each other several times a day!
Zarra and Sarah- Zarra really took to Sarah and wanted to hold her all the time. Of course Sarah loved it! I had to take a picture cause they were both wearing overalls. -matching is fun, what can I say?!
Alexa was so good with Ben always including him by asking if he wanted to come play and such. She really is such a sweet tempered girl.
Little Noah is a cutie! He turned two the week before we got there. He and Ben are about 10 months apart. I would be sitting on the couch and he would just start bringing cars over and driving them on me or putting TONS of them in my lap. Such a funny boy!
Shayne and Iilona were so good to let us come and join their family for a week! We had a wonderful time watching them do their thing and often times participating. Oh, can I go again? I just loved it there!

Side by side, but not.

When I got married I didn't really know how much you aren't together.
I mean Zach is gone a good chunk of the day and when he gets home it's get the kids into bed, clean up, go to bed ourselves and start all over again. (-then you throw in church meetings and such) Hence the side by side, but not idea. We really don't physically work side by side in most things. Even so, I feel so supported by him. I think this is the essence of side by side- that wherever I go, I know I have his support and I know he believes in me.
I'm so glad I have Zach to have by my side-even if he's not all the time! :) He really is the best!
(Ben took this pic-pretty good huh?)

"The snowmobile, the snowmobile"..

....Riding along in the snowmobile"(if you have seen the "Gnomobile" then you know the tune)Well two weekends ago the Coons family had their father and sons outing at my cabin. (Now is when I'm getting around to documenting) Zach took Ben and they had a great time! Ben had just watched the "Gnomobile" a few days before and sang the song with snowmobile inserted. It was so funny!
Ben was totally scared of the snowmobile at first. When someone started it up for the first time and he was close, he totally ran the other way! But, when he got used to it he always wanted to go for rides. Zach was relieved, of course!
Ben had fun playing with his second cousins at the cabin and in the snow. I, sadly admit to you I do not know the kids in the above pictures names....well, Ben is the one on the left. :D...and the big guy is Eric. Below is Brennon. This one below is uncle Matt tubing with the kiddos. I understand he had a heck of a time trying to get all the kids on his lap while keeping the tube in place. He's a good sport!
A highlight of this trip was that Grandpa Coons was able to go for a day. This was a highlight for everyone, even those who weren't there. If anyone deserves a get a way and a good book it is Grandpa! He does so much for Grandma everyday! We all love him so much! What a wonderful example he is of love and sacrifice! (Grandma's health hasn't been good for the last 5 years or so and Grandpa has been SO dedicated to her care!) I love this picture! What a good man!
Our cabin is in the Uinta's. It is definitely one of my favorite get aways. I'm glad my kids can have fun memories there just like I do.Also, I have to credit Zach for taking pictures. I told him he had to take pictures so I could blog it and he did. What a wonderful husband and a fabulous dad! Me and my kids are dang lucky!

Crafting with the Nielson's

Craft day with the Nielson's was Saturday and we had a fabulous time! We made these beeautiful eggs! Aren't they fabulous?! Oh my! They turned out so nice! I just love it!
I had to leave before they were finished and so I got lucky, someone decorated mine for me! I believe it was Kim and she did a fabulous job! I am in love with this! Just thought I'd share! :)
Thanks for the good times ladies!

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Happy Birthday to Benjamin! I just can't believe my little boy is THREE! His birthday was yesterday and it was wonderful! He is the sweetest, funnest, most creative little boy. Oh how I love this kid! Yesterday I was writing in his journal and reminiscing about all the things I have seen him do and learn. I love being a mom! Talk about the most rewarding job!
Ben is the sweetest big brother! Sarah loves him! When she hears him coming she turns toward the door and just waits & watches for him! I love it that they enjoy each other!

We had a little dinner party last night for him. Since it was Sunday I thought everyone could just come over and eat. It was really fun! He hardly knew what to do with all his presents! (I tell ya it has been nice today, all he wants to do is play with his new toys!) I do have to say he shared his new toys quite well with everyone. He loved his truck/trailer and chevron cars and a basketball hoop for his door. He keeps running around the basement saying I'm gonna dunk it!
While everyone was here he couldn't focus long enough to eat his dinner. So after everyone left around 9:00 he climbed up in his seat and asked for his hat. We had our own party after everyone left. It was so funny!

Happy Birthday Ben, I love you with all my heart!

~mom

TwOsIe TAG

I've been twosie tagged...okay forever ago but I'm doin' it...
Two names you go by: Skippy & Mommy
Two things you're wearing right now: Jeans & a sweat shirt from Ireland
Two things you'd want or have in a relationship: good times & lots of love
Two of your favorite things to do: cuddle with Zach and laugh with my kiddos
Two things you want very badly right now: Warm weather! and my whole house to be organized!
Two things you did last night: clipped my coupons and made my shopping list & did financial planning with Zach
Two things you ate yesterday: Tacos and shells & cheese
Two things you did today: Started organizing our emergency kits and put away all the cases & groceries I bought this morning.
Two longest car rides: From Dublin Ireland (Southern) to Eglinten (Northern) Four hours which were technically done in the middle of the night our time! Oh my, I don't know how we made it! And to Boise Idaho last week...these kind of rides take much longer with children. :)
Two favorite Holidays: New Years and Christmas, the joy of festivity!
Two favorite beverages: Sparkling pink lemonade/reg lemonade and water!
Two things about me: I love to read...Pincess books. :) I enjoy jumproping and I am quite good! (If I do say so myself!)and I fell off a cliff, got stitches in my arm pit and had a ride on a run away horse, I fell out of a truck...Oh, was I only supposed to put two. :)
Two jobs I've had in my life: Oakcrest girls camp counselor and assistant director (LDS girls camp, Cutlers Sandwiches baby!
Two places I've lived: Bountiful, UT and Ogden, UT (I know, I have seen it all!)
Two of my favorite foods: Funeral potatoes and lasagna soup (off the top of my head)
Two places I'd rather be right now: Hawaii!..with Zach and really anywhere outside with my family!
I now get to tag 2 people to do my twosies tag. I tag Rach and Jenn G.

Celebrate Good Times!...Come on!

It's been a little too long since I posted last...I have meant to, I just haven't....That's all.
Well, Bam's funeral was absolutely wonderful! I only knew her as a Grandma and a Great Grandma, so it was fun to get to know her in a different way. I went away loving her more!
We went to Boise Idaho for it which was fun. Ben's favorite part was the pool at the hotel and playing with his cousins. One cousin kept taking flowers off graves and giving them to him....good times! Anyway, it was nice!

So, this is my fridge. I like it because it's happy. I was looking at it today and thought to myself..."why do you still have all these things up there?" The answer is in the title of this post.

I like to celebrate good times. I really love an excuse to throw a party, to make something crazy for dinner or a treat. Sometimes I just forget to think of things to celebrate....
I would like to know some things that you guys do...things you celebrate and why.
You know life doesn't really have to be so boring....not that it is totally boring, monotonous is a better word...especially for a stay at home mom like myself.
What are some things you do? Please don't be afraid to share. I would love to hear some ideas!