Cinco De Mayo on the 6th of May (Redneck style)

Had us a fun party at Ty and Kim's house. We munched on some chicken and beef fajitas, as well as cilantro lime rice and chips and salsa. Of course, we were a day late, but WHO CARES!! I think we should have a week of Cinco de Mayo.

Any excuse to eat cheese is fine by me.

We had us a homemade SpongeBob pinata (Thanks Kimmie and a cereal box plus a little duct tape) filled with lots of treats (leftover Easter candy). That SpongeBob was one tough old guy! We really had to beat it to get it to break open. It was a wonderful night with my wonderful family and I am so glad I was able to see you for a few hours!

Watch out! I am up to bat. I am going to whack that

weird freak of nature, SpongeBob.

Candy galore!

Ty looks as freaky as SpongeBob

Blake, Sai and Sadie--ALL OF OUR 4 YEAR OLDS

Luke, Koy and Annie

SpongeBob needs resuscitation

Neola Adventures: Ranger Ride, Chapter 5

I wish I could get one picture where my kids were happy..

Some of the little munchkins.

Jake is flirting with his main squeeze (his mom)

It was a beautiful afternoon on Saturday, and ya'll know that living in Utah you have to take advantage of the weather when you can, so we saddled up the Ranger and took some of the grandkids out for a spin. Of course, we had to have treats before we even left. No one fell out or got run over, so all in all a pretty successful Ranger ride.

Neola Visit: Where I grew up, Chapter 4

In the top right corner is the house that I will always know as HOME

We took the Ranger for a spin and ended up at the house I grew up in. It made my heart hurt a little bit as we drove up the dirt lane towards the home that my dad built for his little family, probably about 34 years ago. The current owner definitely has a sense of humor about living in Neola.. The sign above the rock pile exhibit says, "Free Neola Top Soil" and another sign at the top of the lane says, "Love Neola, Hate Rocks". I am glad I was able to take a trip down the ole dirt memory lane.

Neola Fun: Lizard catching and Hiking, Chapter 3

We had a fun time taking the kids on a nature hike to Mom and Dad's pond. We discovered many new and fun things, like, army ants (Jake had to step on their house and kick it down) and dead animal carcasses (which my kids had to hold). Oh what fun awaits at Grandma's Ranch!

Jake giving the army ants a piece of his mind.. and foot..

The kids posing in front of Grandma and Grandpa's "pond".

Can you see why this is a worthy destination for our hike.

Don't ask it's location because it is a family secret.

Seriously, are you kidding me???

How would it be to be this adorable?

(Don't answer, Todd)

Sword fights

Avery and her dad.

Stinky Lizzie is his name.

He really should have ran faster.

Stinky Lizzie is in there somewhere-poor, poor Lizzie.

Neola Visit: Swimming, Chapter 2

This is a Red-neck swimming pool. It is 2 parts water, 1 part horse saliva and 3 parts cow urine.

Don't judge, it is actually quite refreshing and has an added benefit that it is good for your skin.

The quote of the day goes to Avery (age 2) who exclaimed (while shirtless and splashing water on her chest) "Oh that feels so nice on my ninnies!"

My sissy Sara and her little monkey, Jake.

Nice sunburn, sis.

Sara was the hero of the afternoon.

Despite being the only person pregnant, she had to jump into the

ditch to save Avery who was floating away, swallowing lungfuls of

yummy irrigation water.

Seriously, they were in heaven over this little irrigation ditch.

I don't know which would be worse..

Horse, Cow or Human Dung on your bum..

Just mud, for goodness sake!

Annie doing her best freestyle stroke.

Is it wrong that my favorite picture involves my little boy falling into the water.

LOVE IT!

Mom's Day in Neola: Sadie and Lucy, Chapter 1

Because I have been slaving in my new house (that I love so much despite the nastiness that was my previous post..), I decided to take a quick jaunt out to the beautiful metropolis of Neola (not areola, as my husband likes to call it) and pay my respects to my wonderful Mom. I will be breaking this 24 hour visit into several posts because I took 479 pictures. I am not exaggerating. What is wrong with me?? Don't know. Actually, I do know. I have beautiful kiddos and my parents live on a beautiful ranch.. What am I supposed to do?

The following 3 pictures (I whittled down from approximately 43) are of Sadie and Ms. Lucy. She (Lucy) thinks she is a dog. Such a little charmer.. both of them.

This is PURE JOY!! And it only took 43 pictures to capture it!!

A bit about me..

Right now.. these are a few of my 'favorite' things.

1. Cardboard- especially in box form

2. Tape- my favorite is the kind that refuses to be torn or I can't find the end of..

3. Disorganization- remember "Mom, where is our 3 hole punch?"? Lately, it has been, "Where is the DVD player?" and "Where is the charger to my phone?" or my personal favorite "Where is my bed?"

4. Quesadillas- We have eaten them 5 times in one week!!! Awesome!!

5. Peanut butter sandwiches- I don't know if it is actually possible to die from injesting too much PB & J, but my family may just be the first.

6. Home Decor- I am absolutely IN LOVE with my 52 boxes of trinkets and pictures and mirrors that I get to place around my house.

7. Dandelions- I may start my own Dandelion business... I am going to make necklaces, wreaths and shoes which I will call "Dandies" out of the dandelions in my new lawn. Your feet will be cushioned by the billowy sunshine that is a dandelion. Wahoo!!

8. Hard Water- I truly think that soft water is OVER-RATED. I like that my new home doesn't have a water softener and that I get to apply lotion about 34 times a day. AND, I actually like that the hard water has created a non-see through barrier in our walk-in shower. I think it is truly a fashionable patina...