So I hate to have this blog and not jot down all of the cute things that my kids say, and the cute things that they do. So here are a few that have happened recently.

On November 2nd (Luella's birthday), my mom called and left a birthday message for her. My mom was singing a personalized birthday song, it was so cute. When Luella heard the song she got the biggest smile on her face, and when it was all done she asked said "again". She loves it and it has been almost a month and she asks to hear it all the time. And not just one time, but over and over and over again. And she gets the cutest smile on her face. I love it!!!

On the same day I was getting Mason ready for school and I had told him I needed to write a check for him to take to school. He asked why we pay, who the money goes to and if they pay us back. I told him we pay because the teacher is teaching hi, and that the money goes to his teacher, and they don't pay us back in money but they pay us back in knowledge. I think he kinda understood. So I kept getting everything ready and watching for carpool to come. Carpool pulled up and I yelled for Mason to hurry up and come. He came around the corner from his room with his piggy bank, and I asked him what he was doing. He told me that he had to get some monies out to pay his teacher. oh my heck he is so cute! I told him that I would pay this time and he could save his money. He ran his piggy bank back and as he ran out the door I handed him the check and told him to make sure it got into his teacher's hands. He loves having an important job to do.

I just love my little kiddies so much and want to remember everything that happens.

I'M THANKFUL FOR . . . . .

Thanksgiving was a bitter sweet one for me. When I was younger I LOVED Thanksgiving!!!!! It was a day to go watch my brother and cousins play football, hang out in the kitchen with my mom and dad while they cooked, and just be with my family. As I got older we added in going and serving somewhere, which I loved. This year Ben went into work for a few hours and my family went and served somewhere. SO that left me to hang out with my kids here at home. It was just such a strange thing. It more felt like a normal day. I went to the grocery store in the morning, did TONS of laundry, cleaned and cooked. I actually stayed in my jams basically all day. I was kinda in a bad mood, but I tell you what, the second I got around family it was such a great Thanksgiving. We headed to my moms and had dinner, played games and hung out. It was great.

There are so many things that I am thankful for. 2 of the more important/top of my list are the atonement and family. I am so thankful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for me personally. I am not perfect by any means and I'm thankful that I have a chance to repent and work harder on my eternal goal. I am so thankful for family. The Rich's, the Ballstaedt's and my little Rich family. I really feel like I am nothing without my family. They are my best friends, they are everything to me. My kids adore Honey and Poppy and Grandma B and Grandpa. They eat up all of their aunts and uncles. When we aren't quite sure what to do or want to go somewhere, the first thing that comes to mind is going to see family. I am so thankful for my little family. Ben, Samantha, Mason, Luella and Chance. They are my everything. I love them so much. I have so many other things that I am thankful for, but these are my top 2 and I just thought I'd stick to that!

POST THANKSGIVING CRAFT

Before Thanksgiving Honey had us over to make a turkey craft. It was so cute, an apple with gumdrops stuck into it for the feathers, feet, head, and everything. They were so much fun to make, my kids loved them. They loved them even more when we got home and days after they were still eating the gumdrops off. 

MEXICO 2011

There really aren't words for how fun this trip was. It was a much needed trip, and so it made it even better! There was a lot of hanging out by the pool, listening to my book, falling asleep while sun bathing, eating whenever we wanted, more hanging out by the pool, sleeping in, staying up late, actually talking with adults and not getting interrupted, spending tons and tons of much needed time with my Ben!, only worrying about myself and my hubby, eating delicious food, more chatting with adults and even more hanging out by the pool. 

Yes we did leave the pool a few times. The guys went golfing one of the days while the girls . . . . hung out by the pool! (what would it be without the boys going golfing), we went on an all day adventure to Tulum and snorkeling/zip lining/rock climbing/repelling, Marse swam with the dolphins, the girls went and did Zumba every day, we had a game of volleyball,  we played in the pool and just had a ton of fun. It was so much fun to be there with Jim and Joanne and all the adults. We all have such a good time together and it is all because of Jim and Joanne making these kinds of trips possible for all of us to be together. Thanks again Jim and Joanne, we love you and we had so much fun!!!!! 

LU LU IS 2!!!!

The kids and I were flying solo on Luella's birthday so of course we headed to Grandma B's house. She is always awesome to take us in and feed us. And she helped me celebrate Lu's birthday. We had dinner and then Grandma B got out brownies and made it official with 2 candles and a Happy Birthday song. In this picture Luella looks exactly like me when I was little.

Luella as a new born

Luella at age 1

Luella at age 2

My little Lu Lu turned 2. The time has gone by so fast and she is growing up so fast.I remember the day I brought her home from the hospital. Mason and Samantha held you in their arms and you were so tiny. They were so in love with you, just like everyone who saw you and held you. You were such an easy baby and you are getting into such a fun toddler stage. Sometimes I look at my kids and just wish that I could pause time, or even rewind it and go back to when they were younger. Luella is at such a great age. She is talking a ton, she is repeating everything we say, she is just so fun. She loves purses and anything that can go into a purse. She loves coloring, especially on her and her brother Chance. She thinks it is awesome to draw on her face and on Chance's face with a pen like it is makeup. She loves to be a "big girl" and hang out with Sam and Mason and do anything that they are doing. She LOVES LOVES LOVES her dad. She is definately a daddy's girl, and she has Ben wrapped around her little finger. She is just so much fun. Everyone who sees her, talks to her, or is around her just loves her. She can be a little sassy sometimes, but I'm guessing that is just what comes when you are all girl.
Luella we love you and are so glad that you are a part of our little family!
Happy Birthday!