Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2010

We had a great Saint Patrick's Day party! Of course green was the theme and we had green tattoos, green cupcakes, green sugar cookies, green jello jigglers, green kool-aid and green yogurt. We did a mean green craft, or two, in which the kids painted green balls which they placed on green pipe cleaners which they wrapped around head bands thus creating google eyes. They also glued jewels on their green hand prints. I couldn't find St. Pat's cups or green paper cups but what I did find was plastic shot glasses-NICE! I did it, I bought them for the kids-it was a hit. I can't say how many times I filled those silly little shot glasses with green kool-aid. That was about all I accomplished during the party. We had a great time and at least this time I remembered St. Patrick's Day! Unfortunately, I only snapped one picture during the ENTIRE day, so here it is.

My niece, August, showing

green fun!

I Wanna Be Like YOU-HOO-HOO

Ok, no visual here so just imagine. We're shopping in The Children's Place with some friends. Alea and her friend find dresses that they really want. They asked to try them on so they can strut in front of the full length mirrors they have in the dressing rooms. I volunteered to go back with them and took Benton. Once the girls were strutting around the store having such a great time, Benton began whining. Finally, I took the time to listen to the root of the whining. He told me that he wanted a dress, too. Of course, I said he couldn't wear a dress.

He did not like this answer! He sat down in the middle of the store, knees up, head down on his knees, arms wrapped around his legs, CRYING! "I want a dress, mom, I really want a dress like Alea!" How comical that my BOY wants a DRESS so badly he is willing to cry and pout in the middle of the store. I wish so badly I would have snapped a picture of him so I could tell him how silly it really was. I desperately surveyed the store in search of something for him to try on, but there was nothing flowing, shiny and pretty on the boys side of the store-sorry Benton.

A fellow shopper was passing by and saw/heard the whole thing, she was laughing out loud! I did NOT get him the dress. . .

He just wanted to be like his sister and at home I could not care less if he wants to strut around in a dress-guess that carefree attitude backfired in this instance.

Special Visitors!

We have had some special visitors! Our dear friends: Pete, Megan, Micah, Eli and Elizabeth Sorensen. They drove down from Des Moines and got to spend a few days here with us in the Texas Panhandle. We had a great time visiting, eating (of course) and doing a little sight seeing. We had to hit the Big Texan and Palo Duro Canyon. We also toured the Quarter Horse Museum. It was wonderful to have such a special visit and made me miss them even more. I love Megan because of her faithfulness and our like mindedness. She is so encouraging and I learn a lot when we're together. Their sweet little new addition, Elizabeth, was so cuddly and I was so happy to get to meet her. Unfortunately, I only got ONE picture while they were here. . .

Alea and Elizabeth
We miss ya'll so much, thanks for the visit!!

Merry Christmas 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas with family!

The most . . . interesting . . . event of Christmas was trying to recreate my most favorite childhood memories but through my children. I-and Greg-convinced my sisters-and their husbands-to spend the night at my parents Christmas Eve! My best Christmas memories are with all my cousins at my Grandparents house, now that was excitement! OK, seventeen people in my parents house, not too tight but we all had to be in rooms so the "magic" of Christmas could happen without anyone seeing. We decided to put, Gideon, Samara, Josiah, Benton and August in the "kids room"; Alea and Miriam wanted to sleep in the closet; AshLynn in with Nannie; Me, Greg, Callie, Jon, Lori and Lance in the front room. It was cozy and we found out Lance is a worse snorer than Jon (is that possible?), but we survived and our kids had a blast spending the night at Granna's with all the cousins. We thought it would be fun to watch movies and eat until we were sick. Also, there was no go to bed curfew. All the kids started fizzling out around 11 except BENTON! He was out of control and having a blast staying up, and up, and up until I made him go to bed at 1:30am!


Our group on my side is so big, we have to open presents in shifts. The kids go first and then go off to play with all their new toys, then the adults get their turn. We open one at a time so it takes a good long time and everyone gets to watch.


We enjoyed spending time with Greg's family also, we always look forward the all the good food we get over there and this year did not disappoint. It's always good to see all of his aunts, uncles and cousins. Our children are the youngest on his side for now, but it won't be long before they are the "big kids" around.

Hope your Christmas was wonderful as we reflected on the birth of our one and only Savior, Jesus!

Party pants-Benton at 1:11am!

Alea and Miriam sound asleep in the closet.

Alea and August both got princess

phones and were talking to each other.

Benton the fireman-just like Poppies and Uncle Lance.

The Perkins' girls kids

-We're missing Matt's family:(-

Samara, AshLynn, Gideon, Josiah, Miriam

Benton, Alea, August

Peppermint Bashing

We were making peppermint covered fudge for Christmas and I thought the kids could just punch the bags of peppermint breaking it all up. Well, of course that hurt their hands, so we tried alternative methods. Benton, being the thinker that he is, analyzed the situation, disappeared and then re-surfaced with his little plastic hammer. He pummeled the peppermint and had a down right good time of it! His peppermint won the "most crushed up" award and he was so proud of himself.

Ice Cream, Anyone?

OK, so long overdue, but worth revisiting! Back on December 22, yes, December 22, me and my sweet off spring were settling down nicely into routine when I hear a familiar tune.

It was a tune of sweetness that instantly took me to a more innocent time of my life. The tune that parents do not want to hear on those hot, lazy summer afternoons. The tune that sends children throwing whatever they're playing with and running to mom and/or dad pleading. Yes, that "ice cream truck" tune!

I NEVER heard this in Johnston and had really forgotten the sweet little man who so eagerly drives up and down the street playing the tune that beckons all of us outside for some special ice cream which is delivered right to you. I shook off the euphoric feeling and expressed my childlike excitement to my children, by grabbing them by the hands, poor unsuspecting little ones, and dragging them out the door. All in response to that tune. Snatching my wallet on the way, I quickly explained how the ice cream truck works. They were standing in a whirlwind of confusion as the truck pulled over-oh that sweet tune. They each picked an ice cream treat and they were so happy. We came back into the house to enjoy the ice cream and I was elated to have shared this childhood experience with my children.

I laughed out loud at the fact that it was almost Christmas and it was so warm outside, the ice cream man was still making deliveries. The past three Decembers-in Iowa-I wanted nothing to do with the frigid sweetness of an ice cream treat in December. Good to be home. . .

THE Princess Room

Here we are getting all settled into our new home and adjusting to our new activities. I have to share our first and most impressive update to the home. Alea wanted a pink room, so in one afternoon-before Christmas-that was accomplished. We had discussed painting a castle in her room and I knew just the guy to get that done. Greg's dad is quite artistic and I knew he'd be just the one to to a fantastic job! SO, below is the amazing and breath taking castle created and painted by Gregg on Alea' pink wall. She is really proud of her room and shows it off to anyone and everyone she can-even the neighbor. Thank you Gregg and Cassie for the visit and time spent on Alea's new and improved room-it's more than we all expected.

Alea on her stage (draw bridge) in front of the castle.

Posing in front of the castle.

Benton "helping" his Poppa paint the royal dwelling.