Our Easter....

We had a really fun Easter this year. It was pretty low key but fun. The kids had fun dying eggs, it was fun to watch them figure out if they put it in different colors that it would make totally different colors. They really enjoyed themselves



And then here are the kids showing off some of there Easter treats and their cute new outfits.


Alexa has been doing this thing where she thinks she needs to close her eyes for pictures!!

My 2 handsome boys!!
I Always curl her hair for church. On Easter she had sponge curlers in her hair for hours. Her curl never holds. My sister in laws have even tried but no such luck. The curl is always gone by the time we get to church

My cute kids

Showing off their Easter baskets

Her bow that I made to match her dress!

We had Brian and Lacy over for Easter dinner. Alexa got some play makeup in her basket and Lacy was brave enough to let Alexa put some on her!! So cute!!

So it was a great day. We are thankful that Brian and Lacy were here to celebrate with us. Now the kids are on a huge sugar high from the candy, and grass from there baskets is in such random places. So now I'm off to hide the candy and to trash the grass!! Hope you had a good Easter too!!

My sweet Alexa Lou ( better late then never)

Alexa, Alexa, Alexa, where to start? I love you so much, but since I found out I was pregnant with you my/ our life has been turned up side down. You were a big surprise to say the least. And to this day you still surprise me. You sure do keep us on our toes. But I love it. I was so excited to have a girl. And I am afraid that I may have created a monster. You love to wear dresses all the time. You love bows in your hair. You love music and you learn the words so quickly!! I am so excited for when you are older and can sit for longer periods, that we will be able to go to all the musicals and concerts together. I have watched you blossom so much this year. You are talking so well, Sometimes I forget that you just only turned 3. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to older kid. I love the time we get to spend together while your brothers are off at school. I Love that you love to go shopping with me. I Love your cute smile, and funky styles you dress your self in. I love that you want to do dishes with me, but I don't want you to start with that yet. Believe me you have a life full of dishes ahead of you and I want you to stay away from them while you can!!! I Love to see you snuggle you brothers, and your daddy. It is so sweet to see you get so broken hearted when daddy forgets to give you a kiss before he leaves. I know you love him so much!! And he loves you to, although I think you have him a little worried after we caught you kissing Zac Effron on the TV at the end of Hairspray. You are way to young for that little miss!! I love how you are such a good helper in nursery and want to help the kids who are crying. We love you so much Lexa and I know this year you will grow even more and Mommy and Daddy will lay awake at night wondering whats next with you. But you know what I know that I deserve every bit of it ( Grandma Moon will agree). So you go big girl. And I will try so hard to keep up with you. Just please NO more kissing boys, even on the tv. We are not ready for that. Happy Birthday Alexa, we love you!!

My Sweet Jakob

Dear Jakob, I cant believe you are six. Wow the time has flown by. It seems like just yesterday that I realized that I was pregnant with you. We were so excited. You are so much like your Dad. And that is a good thing. It has been so fun to watch you grow and develop into the big little boy that you are. I have been so excited to see you learn all kinds of fun things this year in kindergarten. The knowledge that you have and the things that you remember or just figure out amazes me. I love how sensitive you are, and also how protective of your brother and sister you are. I love to listen to your sweet prayers, and hear you tell us about all you learned at church, and then ask questions. I am so proud of your ever growing testimony, I know that you love your Heavenly Father and try really hard to choose the right always! I love how much you love your dad, and want to do everything with him that you can. And how proud you are of him, and HE is so very proud of you. I can tell that your relationship with him is going to be something that I will always be jealous of, but I wouldn't have it any other way.


Jakob thank you so much for being such a big helper around the house, and with Conner and Alexa. We know being the oldest( both me and daddy are) is sometimes hard with added responsibility but you are so good at it, keep it up little bug!! I love you so very much Mr. But please slow down your growing, pretty soon you re gonna be smarter then me, and taller too and I am just not quite ready for that, after all you are only 6. Happy Birthday big boy! I hope you have lots of fun adventures this year!!!

First day of school

100th day of school ( they got to wear pjs and have a 100 party)

My Dear Conner Bug......

My dear sweet Conner, another year has flown by, and you are now 4. I can't believe it. You have been such a joy in our family. I have watched you this last year grow up so much. You are now in primary. You love your preschool and learning. I Love that you love to do your
"homework" when your big brother is doing his. I love to watch you sound out words, and practice writing. You are doing so good!! I love watching you be a big brother to Alexa and to sneak a peak at you when you tuck her in for nap time. I love, love, love to watch you dance. Seeing you do your moves brings such big smiles to my face. I hope you never give it up and I promise to get you in the right classes so you can be break dancing before you know it!!!! But the thing I cherish most right now is your snuggles, and hugs and kisses. I love when you come tell me " I love you so much mama". You melt my heart, and I know you are getting older and it won't be so cool to snuggle your mom for much longer, but I will cherish every moment of it now. I love your laugh when daddy tickles you or makes silly faces at you. I love hearing your prayers and blessing that your grandmas and grandpas will come see you. I love that you love and want to be with your daddy so much. And to watch you try to do all that Jakob does. I love that you want to help me in the kitchen, and that you love to wear slippers. You are so special to us and we love you so much. Please slow down your growing, its passing me by to quickly. And I want to remember every second. I love you my Conner bug!!! Happy Birthday!!

after a day of fun birthday shopping

Conner and his best bud, Dad!!!

My dancing homey

There is just a little bit of Laura in there!!

So I swear my kids have none of my genes in them. If you know Jakob then you know he is a miniature Colin. Conner is looking more and more like Jordan and my Dad. Alexa now she might have more of me then anyone, but some of it I don't want to take claim for. But lately I have been noticing more and more of my sister Laura showing up in her. Maybe its because I miss Laura so much that I looking for it, but I don't think I'm going crazy. Growing up Laura was constantly getting after me (and everyone else) to not touch her. Its not like we intentionally bugged her but if I was sitting next to her in church and my long hair some how touched her she would get mad. Or if you sat too close to her, or looked at her ( ok maybe not that bad). But guess who has been doing this at my house latley. Yep Miss Alexa throws a huge fit if her brothers, or Dad sit any where near her, or if they touch her or her blankets ( which she now calls her Medecine blankets and her heart blanket, go figure). Recentley Alexa has taken to wearing her bathing suit under neath all her clothes and once again this is soooooo Laura. You see when Laura was younger her and her best friend Melissa had this theory that if they wanted it to snow they would wear their snow suits to bed, to school, anywhere they could get away with it. And you know what it some times worked. And then of coure they also did vise versa, if they wanted to see the sun they would wear their bathing suits under their clothes for days!!! I have really been having flashbacks when I see Alexa being so Laura. Now maybe if Cameron starts making brady doing excersises on christmas mornings, or saying "go back in my histroy" Laura will know that Cameron has a little bit of me mixed in there.!!!

Laura holding Alexa And baby brady ( about 2 years ago)

Alexa in her bathing suit phase!!!

Laundry, How do you do it???

I have serious laundry issues. It seems I always have piles, dirty or clean. I feel like I have tried it all to stay on top of things. I have done all the laundry in the house One day each week. It made for a long day of washing folding and putting away. Then I switched to Doing laundry by room. Colin and mines on Monday, boys on Tuesday, Alexa Wednesday, towels and bedding Thursday. But it seemed like I never had full loads, and I can't just mix whites, darks and reds all in one load for the boys. So Next I went to doing a load or two each day. Now I just do it when I have time. But here is my major problem. I am really good at getting stuff washed but getting it folded and put away is a different story. I have found that I like folding the clothes and putting them away after the kids go to bed and I am watching my shows that are recorded. But the problem with that is that I have baskets of clothes sitting around all day and my kids some how always mange to dump them out and make an even bigger mess. So I want to know what works for you? What is your routine? How about socks? Do you throw them all in a big basket and then mate them all once a week or how do you work it? How do you guarantee the same socks in the same load? Do fold as soon as it comes out of the dryer, or does it sit? Tell me your secrets cause seriously I need a new routine! Help!!!

Proof

Here is some more proof that my husband is superman ( I have always known but for you doubters, you know who you are, here is further evidence). My husband who is going to school full time, working full time and seems to squeeze in enough time to make sure that our kids are really clueless as to how busy daddy is, got employee of the month this month at work. I am so proud of him. Because he is going to school he has to leave work 3 different times each day for classes. But it seems that that doesn't hinder his work or what the other employees think of him. Way to go my superman. I actually think that he really loves him job. He gets to work with all the city employees, including the fire department, police department, and mayor. Its hard not to miss how fast he runs out the door when either department calls him for something. I am amazed at how much info and things that those guys tell him. Stuff he probably shouldn't know being the computer guy. But Colin loves it, and I love that he enjoys what he is doing, and even more I love that they recognize what a hard working great guy he is. He has been getting a lot of calls from co- workers to come help with their home computers, and they all offer money which is great and has Colin thinking of starting a side business. So we will see what comes of that. Here is the link to the article that was in the city of rexburg newsletter about Colin. I never in a million years could of predicted that Colin would find a job that he loves while on our adventure here in rexburg. I really thought we would just be surviving until we could get out of here. But Colin seems to be thriving, which really helps him get through the long nights of school work, and the small amount of sleep he gets every night. If he didn't love it we would all be miserable!! So Congratulations babe, you deserve it!!! And thanks once again for being our Superman!!! I love you!

Time for an Update

Wow it has been way to long. I hope to be better at this cause I know that all our family that is in different states like to hear and see pictures of the kids. So I will try harder!!!

We have had so much that has happened since our last post that I think that I will just give you the highlights in the form of a list. I don't feel like spending all day typing out all the details, to much to do. So here it is!

- We had our first solo Christmas. It was just our little family. And it was great, we missed grandmas and grandpas tho. But it was nice to not have to go anywhere and just stay and play all day!

-We had both sides of the family come visit us after Christmas. The entire Bowler Family minus blake. Then a few days after they left my parents and April came to drop April off at school. But we sure missed my sister Laura and her munchkins, it wasn't the same with out her.

- I have now seen Twilight 4 times. Crazy I know. But each time it was with someone who hadn't seen it yet, and I couldn't pass it up. It did help that they moved it to the $2 theater;)

-My kids have all been to the dentist, Jakob had his 2 front teeth pulled. Alexa and Conner did great. I am so glad that our insurance covers our great pediatric dentist. The kids sure love going there. And all the staff is very complimentary of my kids so I love going there too!!

-I pretty much flew solo (everyone els was on the commitee was out of town or busy) for the January enrichment, setting up, teaching, clean up, refreshments. It was alot of hard work but it was so much fun to see how creative the sisters are!

- Went through the house again, and did another D.I . run. Our apartment is to small and we have to much stuff so I am constantly going through stuff trying to minimize.

- took the kids to High school musical 3 at the $2 theater. Did not like it.

- took the kids to go see Bed Time Stories. Loved it!!!

- I have been loving having my sister April here and 2 sister in laws. But I'm still waiting for Laura to move here. It wont happen but a girl can wish, right??

- Colin started school back up, and it seems as if this semester will be the hardest yet. Crazy schedule, Crazy amounts of homework, and no sleep. Really I don't know how he does it. But he does it all very well with no complaining. He's our super dad!!

- Artic circle is adding a play area to their restaurant in rexburg. I am very excited to have somewhere besides McDonald's to take the kids during the frigid winter months!!

-Conner gets to go to the preschool on campus again, and he is so excited.

ok I think that list should get everyone caught up on what they have missed. Maybe my next post will be pictures!!

the wedding

The Saturday after Thanksgiving my brother Brian got married to an awesome girl. They got married in Twin falls. SO we got to go on a little overnighter. The kids had fun in the hotel. They loved the bath tub!!

The next morning we were up and at them early to get to the temple on time. The kids sure looked cute all dressed up!!

Right as they came out of the temple!!

Lacy was so gorgeous!! And these to have so much fun together!!

Heres our attempt at a family picture in front of the temple. It was so windy

Brian and Lacy at the Luncheon. It was so nice. Good job Mom and Dad!!

Natalie and Alexa

Cute kids!!

Conner and April

After the luncheon was over and we were cleaning up, conner helped by collectin the left over treat buckets. But he never wanted to put them down. Eventuyally we talked himinto hiding them them in my purse. So we came home with mayber 30 treat cups!!

Brain and Alexa at the reception later that night!!

Congratulations you guys, we love you!! And Lacy welcome to the family, I couldnt have asked for a better sister inlaw!!!

Twilight .... Finally

I know I'm late, everyone has already seen it, I decided to wait and see it with my sisters and mom when they came in town. And that we did. My Mom, Laura, Natalie, Lacy, and I went to go see it. The only person missing was April and we sure missed her. But we loved the movie. Laura wasn't crazy about Edward. But both Natalie and I loved him. I wasn't crazy about the guy they picked for Jacob, but Laura loved him. Other then that I thought it was really good. Sure there were a few things that were off from the book. But over all I walked away from the movie with the same feeling as when I finished the book, ready for the next one. And I will definetley be seeing it again!!!This isn't at the movie( we tried to get a picture but cameras wern't working), so this is us minus Lacy, at the wedding luncheon!!

November in pictures

Wow has this month been crazy, but so fun. We have been doing tons of stuff. So instead of a long typed post I thought I would just show you pictures of the stuff we did.

We decided to go bowling. The kids loved it and had so much fun!!

Conner had fun hiding among the balls

Waiting for their turns

Alexa's Turn!!

She does the slow grandma roll

Next we decided to make the kids breakfast in bed!! That was a lot of fun, and now they want it every Saturday.

Conners breakfast in bed

Cheese!!

They all ended up in Jakob's bed of course

Jakob now has to get all bundled up to go to school!

The last day of taekawndo

Hi-ya

yep they all broke some boards

Alexa had some help and conners board had a crack in it. But Colin and Jakob did the real deal!

( if you want to see the videos of all of them doing it let me know and I will email you!!)

Pilgrim Jakob

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful this year. And it was so fun to have all of my family here and get to spend some time together!!!

If you lover her as Much as I do...

So if you love Girly Do's by Jenn like I do then you need to go leave a "love note" Comment on her blog, she really needs it. She has run in to some meanies out there in hair do land and has said she is going to quit. Maybe just maybe if she gets enough love notes she will reconsider. I have watched this happen with some of my favorite hair bow stores and I just sat back and watched. But not any more. I am tired of all the mean people who are putting these people down. I mean as far as I am concerned Jenn is doing us all a favor. She doesn't need to do it for herself it for us, I love seeing all her creative hair ideas. So we need to fight to keep her around. Go leave her love note!!!!