"Kid's Cones"

Ayden smile nice for the camera Ayden that wasn't nice that was scary...try again
Please Ayden just one good one!
Thank you!
Ashten wanted a cookie but "they were all out ;)"
Anderson loved his cone and finished the whole thing We had to make a trailer delivery tonight to Gig Harbor. While we waited for Armand to take care of business we went into the McDonald's play area. It was some sort of ball game where lights went on and you had 20 seconds or so to hit the ball and knock them all out. Well, the game was old and only two of the lights worked so we made up our own game. If they could make a certain basket they could get an ice cream cone. I had Armand go up and he asked for the smallest kid's cone they had. Luckily for us the guy gave us three free "kid's cone" aka courtesy cones. All three boys thought that was pretty fun because they were so little. I thought it was fun because it was free.

My Little Runaways

Today, something happened that at first I did not even consider posting for many reasons, mostly having to do with my feelings of shame or embarrassment because I inadvertently let it happen. Then, I started to think about the day and what were the major events that I should put in my "journal" (blog). Although it is fun that our family and friends who live away from us get to see into our daily lives, this is our families way to keep a journal and if I want to keep it real and honest I should not leave things out. So please don't judge me just imagine how you would feel if it happened to you.

The kids have made some new friends with our next door neighbors. At first, we didn't let them go anywhere but the driveway. But they started venturing out so as a family we had agreed that this was okay and that they could play with them in the cul-de-sac or right across the street in the grass. They have been doing really well sticking to the rules and I check on them every few minutes. Today, my Visiting Teacher stopped by, as she was leaving I called to the boys to make sure and stay out of the way. They said they were being good and that they were okay. I went back in the house as I was making dinner, Anderson was waking up and wanted milk and a diaper change, I had to go to the bathroom, and I was switching over the laundry. Five minutes after my VT left I got a phone call on my cell phone. It was Cassi. She asked where I was and I told her I was at home. She told me that she found Ayden and Ashten holding hands, walking down the street. They had decided to walk to Grammy's house and they told Cassi that I was there waiting for them. I don't even know what I thought next but, I ran down the street and looked because I didn't really believe it. As Cassi was driving by she saw a car stop to talk to them. Cassi had just happened to decide at the last minute to take the long way to her destination. I am truly blessed for this, what would I have done if someone else had picked them up. I am so thankful that she followed the spirit. I love my boys so much, I could not live without them. I have definitely learned a few lessons today. My kids can't be trusted alone for even a minute, they have no fear, five minutes is longer than I think, dinner laundry and bathroom can wait until later, and Mommy can only put on a brave face for so long before she breaks.

Surprise!

Ayden had his eye on these cupcakes all afternoon Anderson was happy just playing with a bunch of balloons
Brandon and JJ
Riley, Aimee, and Greg
Ashten Kaleb 7, Ayden 4, Nicholas 5, Jocelyn 5, Bella 2, Ashten3, ?, and Riley 2, playing Duck Duck Goose
I love when there is a surprise party on TV and they walk in having no idea what is happening, but I have never been to a successful surprise party before. Something about the "SURPRISE" gets me every time. Today, we went to a surprise party for Megan's husband, Jerrod. It was perfect, he had no idea. Megan did a great job planning his 30th birthday and had a "this is your life program" with surprise guests and all. I love the Swannack Family so it was fun for us to get to spend time with all of them. I love that my kids get to play with the Swannack grandkids just like I got to play with the Swannack kids when I was young!

This is Ladies Night...Oh, What a Night!

Megan Guddat, Me, and Haley Cook Me and Megs
Haley and Megan rolling in their parents Mormon Mobile

Yeah, we are hot!

Megs and Haley sporting some Wal-Mart merchandiseMegan is in town for a vacation with her hubby and kids. She planned a "girls night out" for my birthday. Haley was able to come with and the three of us had SO much fun! We started out by having dinner at Red Robin. Of course they had to embarrass me by telling our server that it was my birthday which caused them to sing. Afterwards,we went over to spend some money at JoAnn's. After that we went to Wal-Mart to see if they had any great clearance on craft items...It was a bust. But we did have lots of fun shopping! Our final stop was to Cold Stone Creamery. Which was a funny end to our night out. We all had to go to the bathroom by this time. But as I was going in a young guy was coming out, saying to his friends that someone was going to have to clean that up. When I realized that there was only a single unisex bathroom, I turned around and went to him saying "What did you do? I have to go to the bathroom." He said it wasn't what I thought and told me he would show me a picture. Then changed his mind and invited me back to the bathroom so he could show me. Apparently, someone thought it would be funny to put a brownie on the edge of the toilet seat. At least that's what he called it. I decided I would wait til I got home. Later, as we were eating our ice cream and my new friend was leaving, he called to me from the door, "Hey, I knocked it in for you." HAHAHA! I rarely get out of the house and now I know what I was missing! We came back to my house and did some crafting. It was the best night, I couldn't have asked for a better girls night out!

Happy Birthday to Me!

My last year before it's "all down hill"

(as my Dad informed us)

I am 29 today. Wow, I'm getting old! This morning Mom and Dad called to see if we wanted to go to pizza for my birthday. Afterwards, Ashten, AJ, and I headed off to get my Driver's License renewed as it was expiring today. Ayden went with Papa. We all met up at Grandma B's house to build a bookcase. The boys were big helpers. AJ wanted to be helpful but ended up falling

face first onto the edge of the particle board side of the bookcase. Leaving him with a bloody nose, a scratch across his cheek, and a black eye. It looked worse than it was.

Mom, Dad, and Grandma B Mariah and Nofo
The Party Planner

I was leaving all plans to Armand as he has been gone in the Philippines for my last two birthdays. Unfortunately, he didn't make any plans until he got off work. He picked up Safeway China Express (by my request) and some ice cream. then, he came home and cooked up some BBQ. It was pretty fun for a party planned an hour and a half before it was to happen. Armand gave me a digital camera for my birthday, now I should be able to keep up on the blog. Thank you to all of those who took time to send birthday wishes, you made my day!!

Baby Girl Taylor

Taylor Rae Betenson Tana and Taylor
Britany, Taylor, and Brad
Taylr Rae Betenson The world is definitely changing. This morning I got a text message (actually two text messages) about babies being born. Technology is awesome! The first text was from a friend who had had her baby boy just before midnight last night and the second text was from Brad and Britany. Taylor was born this morning, weighing in at 7.4 pounds and measuring 21 inches. She is beautiful! We can't wait to see and hold her. My parents now have 5 grandchildren ages 4, 3, 2, 1, and 0! Someone better hurry up and get started on that next baby...

Ten Years Later...

Jerrod and Megan Guddat and Me and Armand

Tonight, was the Class of '98 Stadium High School reunion. Megan and Jerrod came in from Rexburg so we piled in the minivan which is super cool, I know and headed over to the Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club. We immediately noticed that there were not other minivans there. Cassi met us at there and we got to visiting with everyone. It was very awkward to walk right up to people and say hi but I think we all had fun, maybe not Jerrod and Armand. Megan and Jerrod won married the longest at 6.5 years and then us at 6 years. We think that we also won the award for most kids, 3 kids each for each couple. It was a fun night after getting over the initial weirdness. I can't wait to see how people grow up in ten more years! I can't believe that I have been blessed with a husband, 3 gorgeous boys, a home and great friends and family. Seeing some of these people who have not grown up, still partying like it's high school made me feel even more blessed for the life I do have.

Mmmmmm Chicken!!!

This morning I woke up to Armand saying, "Amie, I think you need to feed the kids". I came out to look and saw Ashten sitting on the coffee table with a whole roasted chicken. He was just eating away. I guess it's better than when they get the whole box of fruit snacks or cookies out and finish that off.

The Date

We have a tradition that if you give a talk in Primary, Mommy will take you on a special date. So far Ayden is the only one who has gotten to do this because Ashten is in Nursery still. Ayden chose Dairy Queen for our date. On our first date Ayden chose a Banana Split and he shared with me. This time he got a strawberry sundae and a fruit punch and ate the whole thing by himself. It's so cute to see how much fun he has on our dates. Last time he told me that he liked how quiet it was. I completely agree!

Ward Talent Show

My cakes for the cake decorating contest

Mummy, Pumpkin, and Bat

My cake won the most frightening looking award Anderson had fun clapping, dancing, and acting very strange...

he acted like he was on a sugar high
Ashten was a wild man and could not sit still
My scrapbooking display
Kathy A, Jeanie, Grandma, Kristin, Wes and Kathy F.
We had a lot of fun at the Ward Talent Show tonight. There are many talented people in the ward. Some of our favorites were Ali'a playing Bop-It, the disco dancers, and many great singers. The kids really liked the juggler also. The big boys got to play in the nursery for awhile, which was a nice break for me. After it was all over we got to eat the cake that everyone brought, it was a great night out with the family.

Practice Makes Perfect

"Somethings can happen to make us scared or sad""We can pray to ask for help"
"When Joseph Smith was a young boy and little he prayed and asked which church is true""Can you whisper in my ear Mom ... Heavenly Father answered his prayer"
"I know ... I can pray ... to Heavenly Father ... because He loves me"

This video is dark (darn) but you can hear how cute he is when he's singing the song to go with his talk.

Ayden gets to say the talk in Primary on Sunday. He is really excited because last time he gave a talk, I took him on a special date (we went to Dairy Queen and shared a banana split). So he got up the other day and said, "Mom, can we work on my talk?" I told him that I had it all written up and ready for him. So he ran off calling to me that I had promised we could work on it. I was planning on photocopying some pictures that fit with the talk. When I came into the kitchen where he wanted to work I found him with a stack of my scrapbook papers and a hand drawn picture of Heavenly Father and Jesus and he was already cutting out hearts. At this point I hadn't even read him the talk that I had in mind...so I changed it a little to fit with his drawings. This is Ayden practicing for Daddy. The table that is in front of him is his "podium" and that black thing in his hand is his "microphone". Ayden is growing up so much and I am SO proud of him!

A Hunting We Will Go

Ayden, Ammon, and Rachel picking berries

Ben and Ashten holding the caterpillar
Ayden, Gavin, Ben, and Ashten
The scavenger hunt list
For playgroup today I made up a sheet of items for the kids to find and we headed over to the BPA Trail at the Aquatic Center. The kids had lots of fun running around and they had an even better time exploring. I think they found about 12 of the 20 items on the list but the also saw other things. We saw a mommy and baby gardner snake, a caterpillar, a beetle, and a runaway stroller or two haha. I think the best part was that the kids could run free and there were no worries for moms. Afterwards, half of the group headed to McDonald's for lunch and a little shopping at Wal-Mart. By the end of the day I was ready to crash but the kids of course were still going!

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting!

Anderson, Ashten, Ayden, and Gavin playing DDR before the movie
Cassi invited us to go to the dollar theater to see Kung Fu Panda. Although the kids were a little wild in my opinion, the theater was mostly empty. I was probably more stressed about it than I needed to be. I brought lots of snacks to keep the kids occupied, I had no idea what to expect as this was AJ's first trip to the movies (other than when he was a nursing baby.) He isn't really interested in watching TV or anything but there was a few times when he would sit and watch and then just bust up laughing. It was SO cute. After the movie, everybody was kung fu fighting, those kids were fast as lightning, in fact it was a little bit fright'ning....HI-YA!

Guitar Hero...FHE?

"Daddy, You Rock!" Our Groupies
Anderson wasn't sure what to think about us rocking out!

This is Ayden's interpretation of "air guitar"
Our Family Home Evening tonight was basically a Guitar Hero Competition. Despite Armand's best efforts I pretty much rocked the house. The kids coming in a close second with their air guitars. Everyone's favorite song to rock out to is Barracuda!