my girls

I can't believe summer is about over! I feel like I just let it slip right through my fingers. I am just now starting to get my energy back and get the house/ family back into routine again (since baby sawyers arrival).
 i noticed the BEAUTIFUL lighting after dinner yesterday and i told the girls to hurry and grab their new boots, brush their raggedy greasy hair, and throw on a cute dress.....they knew just what that meant....PICTURE TIME! My little girls love it when i dress them up, and take just the 2 of them out for some mommy picture time. We laugh and laugh till our tummies hurt....they don't even mind when i give them a last minute "spit bath" to get rid of their kool-aide stained faces! We have such a good time. i hope they will always remember these times as they grow up, because just like summer is slipping through my fingers...so are they. They are growing up into beautiful little girls and their babiness is pretty much gone. As i worked on these pictures i got a little teary thinking about the day they won't want to "play pictures" with me, or let me dress them in these vintage outfits. I am worried they won't want me at all. I need these girls - they are my whole world.

(i love me some bolton boys too...but something about  mommy and her girls just melts me.)

a name and a blessing.

His daddy gave him a name and a blessing on Sunday. It has always been one of my favorite things to witness. What could be sweeter than a daddy holding his new baby in a circle of great priesthood-worthy men to give my sweet baby a name and blessing? I have been through 5 of them, and it still touches my heart every single time.  

good thing we didn't wait any longer for this day....we had to tell him to "suck in" just to get the cute outfit buttoned! mama's milk has been good the boy!:)

So what do you in the summer time?

we play in the rain of course!

sam was NOT a fan.

oh, and it looks like "anonymous" has shown up once again. I really don't mind people sharing their opinions, but lets keep it appropriate and clean- young ones read this. thanks!

i do feel like a fairly good mom, I NEVER claimed to be perfect. I have EVERY right to have 5 children. Sometimes little 2 year old boys can leave your sight in a blink of an eye. I was RIGHT there to capture the little man and bring him right back to our yard within seconds. No matter how many children you have, it is impossible to keep your eye on them EVERY.SINGLE. SECOND.

I knew right after I posted it, that it may come across wrong to other readers, but i figured it is REAL life...it's not always easy being a mom, no matter how many children you have. i am sorry if any of you took the post the wrong way, i really do care for my littles...it was written in good humor.:)

sometimes...

Sometimes I lose my children. yes, it is true, don't judge me.:)  I lost little sambo a few days ago and found him outside skating. He thinks he knows how to do the things his big siblings do - so he tends to sneak off to give them a try.  Apparently skating is easier to do in the nude - mommy cramped his style by throwing a diaper on for the pictures! The nerve!  Anyway, so if or WHEN you see my one of munchkins streaking down the sidewalk, remember not to judge me - most likely I  have an infant attached to me (if you know what i mean) while trying to make peanut butter sandwiches with the other hand! I am still trying to get the hang of this 5 kid thing.  sometimes i just have to laugh at the situation and snap a few pictures!

the big FIVE.

                          today you turned 5.  i can't get over how quickly you have turned from
                           toddler to this BEAUTIFUL little girl.  i wish i could just bottle you up
                           in a jar and keep you this way forever. thanks for all your hugs and kisses
                           (i really do get about a million a day from you) i wouldn't have it any other
                           way though. you really are my little ray of sunshine! love you sweet girl.
                                     love,
                                    mommy

munchkins

Rachel and Emily have been dying to have me take their pictures with Sawyer. Sam wanted in on a few of them...that didn't last long...he has the attention span of a 2 year old for sure!:) Zach wasn't home, so that's why he isn't in them. I am sure he will be SO disappointed that he missed out on this one (yeah right) :)

    this is where things went down hill...quickly. 
    sam, get your fingers out of your mouth please!!!!  notice sawyers hand on emily's chin!:)

         sam, don't eat your brother.

karate kid

Those of you who know my little zach (although he is NOT so little anymore) know that he is a quiet, people pleaser, rule follower, tender hearted 9 year old. I was surprised when he decided he wanted to join a karate class back in January.  I just couldn't see him enjoying the "fighting" that i thought went on in karate. Well, i was wrong. It has been the BEST thing for him...ever. His self confidence has quadrupled and he really, truly lives for it. He moved up to a yellow belt last week...now he thinks he is hot stuff! His instructors keep telling paul and i that he is such a good boy - VERY intense and focused for his age. We already knew that, but it was fun to hear it from him!