Namesake

This baby Freddie is the sweetest boy in the world. His name means "peaceful ruler." He has always been exactly that-- a peaceful presence in our home.

He's so calm and happy. He loves to smile and laugh. His siblings adore him.

Freddie was named after his great grandfather Fred Ivan Lambert. Grandpa Lambert was a handy guy--an appliance repairman. It looks like Fred not only lives up to the meaning of his name but also the inclinations of his namesake. Whenever Dan works on something, especially if tools are involved, Freddie is right there in the action.

Cutest handyman you'll ever see. His dad's a major hottie, too.

Will and Coleman's Aquabats Super Show Party

If you have never seen The Aquabats Super Show, run! don't walk! to your television and binge watch it on Netflix right now. Didja do it?

Your welcome.

Dan introduced our kids to the show last year and I would overhear it while I would do the laundry or dishes or other mom-ish type things and I would think "what is that ridiculous thing my kids are watching? is it killing their brains with its stupidity?"

Then one day I sat down and watched it with them and I laughed my tail off. If you see me walking around today you will not see my tail. Because it fell completely off from laughing at the ridiculousness and awesomeness of the Aquabats Super Show.

Our family quickly became obsessed with the show, and Coleman and Will decided on an Aquabats theme for their 5th birthday party. I made posters from the show to hang throughout the house with phrases from the show slightly changed to fit the party.

All of the food we served was given funny names we took from the show episodes. We served sliders but called them "tiny burgers" from episode 1. If you're familiar with the show you will understand the ectoplasmic residue and the good life donuts and the snakey snacks. We showed a few episodes of the show while we ate our lunch because our grandmas and aunts and uncles had no idea what the whole show was about. The aquabats gained many fans that day.

We decided that our family should go all out and wear aquabats costumes. I sewed the hats using fleece. I cut out the goggles from felt and made enough for all of the kids at the party. The t-shirts were made with a freezer paper stencil. 

One of my favorite things that I have ever crafted in my entire life and one of the things I am most proud of creating is this Floating Eye of Death pinata:

In each episode there is a villain that must be defeated and one of them is The Floating Eye of Death. I made the pinata with a big punch-ball balloon from the dollar store. I covered it with layers and layers of paper mache. I made the bumpy eye socket remains on the back of it with twisted strands of newspaper that I taped on to give it a good ridgy texture. Then I used pink crepe paper for the tentacles that hang down from it. I painted it and ta!da! its a Floating Eye of Death. 

Senor Urish from Dixon Middle School in Provo, Utah,  thank you for teaching me how to make a pinata in 8th grade Spanish class. Who knew it was such a fulfilling and enjoyable hobby? I guess you did.

Will is the most hilarious comedian. He loves to be silly. He's a great dancer. He's a very good and faithful friend. He brings me joy every day. Coleman is such an affectionate boy. He brightens every day for me with his hugs and kisses. He works hard and is a big helper. He expects a lot from himself and takes himself very seriously. These boys are best friends and the most adorable and sweet little team. They help each other. They cheer each other on. They are so lucky to have each other. And I'm so lucky to be their mom.

The Floating Eye of Death was defeated; and a super time was had by all.

Happy 5th birthday Will and Coleman. 

Family Reunion-age

Last summer we were so lucky to get to spend time together with our whole family. Courtney and Matt and their kids came and we went camping and swimming and playing. It was a dream.

Here are all of my mom and dad's grandkids. Such an adorable bunch.

And here's my sister with her famous "quick! put something on your head!" pose from childhood. Its a classic.

Her nieces and nephew learned from the best.

We went to Trafalga and rode my all time favorite ride that makes me scream and giggle every time: The Frog Hopper. Better than Prozac I tell you.

We want to adopt Sue. That little niece has us wrapped around her finger.

And we even got to see our Rasmussen cousins and wish cousin Whit well on her mission. Love that girl. Love all these girls. Best friends of mine for sure.

I totally get why the family is central to God's plan. Families are the best.

Freddie and Ira

Freddie has an adorable little cousin named Ira. They are a month apart. Its been cute to see them grow up together. Here they are as tinies.

Couldn't you just eat them right up!?

Twin cousins with twin old man names. The cuteness kills me.

Some Peeks at the House

We feel so blessed to be in our new house. We love it. Besides still having a carpeted dining area like we had in our last house, I absolutely love the layout and flow. I love our neighbors. I just love it all. I took these pictures soon after we moved in to our house (look at that tiny Freddie on Maggie's bed!). I forgot to post them. Some things have already changed, but here' s a peek at some of the areas of our house: 

This is Maggie's room. I really love it. Its so girly and fun. And since she is an artistic 7 year old girl we sometimes have struggles with each other and the way we think her room should be decorated. She has a tendency to add her own artistic flair by way of Hello Kitty wall decals and loads and loads of drawings and lists of room rules covering every surface. I'm learning to let go and let her be 7. She's a stinking cute 7 year old.

Here is my growing letter H collection. I got the chevron striped USA map thing at Swiss Days last year. I'm so excited about Swiss Days again! Dear cousin Emily, I still am obsessed with the ceramic H's you made me. Miss you.

Dan made me this gorgeous headboard. I feel like a real person now that I have a real bed. We used a plan from the Ana White website. She has an amazing database of plans for building just about anything. Check it out.

Dan also bought me that mirror as a surprise. It might be one of my favorite things in the whole house. I'm crazy about my husband.

Freddie shares his room with Dan's office and it is kind of a neglected space. I need to put more effort into it. But here's the twins' room. Pretty adorable. Its covered in Legos half the time, though so watch your step. If you want to come visit us (which you totally should by the way!) this is also our guest room. I'll even put mints on your pillow. And I'll clean up all the Legos.

I'll have to take some pictures of the rest of the house, including our yard that Dan is working his tail off on. Its so fun to make a house your own by putting your own stamp on it. 

Come visit us. Or better yet, buy one of the cute houses next door. We make great neighbors. 

Goblin Valley

Last year we went to Goblin Valley. I had forgotten what a great place that is. My kids were in heaven climbing on every formation and scaling every wall. My nephews chased lizards. Cam and Elston brought their darling doggie Pinto. Dad wore his authentic Mexican cowboy hat. And I carried Freddie around in a sling. It was a dream vacation.

We'll see you again soon, Goblin Valley. I promise I'll never forget how cool you are ever again.