Our last Disney trip for a year :(

All of the kids

The car from "Cars"

Bryan in the western show- they picked him out of the crowd!

Bryan the bank robber

The mayor, Bryan, and the mayor's ugly man daughter!

All of the kids taking a break and running around

We had a blast spending a few days at Disneyland this past week! Dan's sister's family came out from to join us from Utah, the kids love to enjoy Disney with their cousins! I tryed to bribe the kids to go on the big roller coaster at California Disney and Cole is the only one who went! We were so surprised. After the ride his first words were "That was awesome, I almost threw up!" If you remember this is the ride with a loop in it, what a daredevil! Bryan made it to Level 5 on Buzz Lightyear ride and was very pleased with himself! Everyone can agree though that Space Mountain is our favorite ride! It had concert lights going instead of the stars, we were rockin' to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, you were actually able to see the rollercoaser, it was a whole new experience.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I made this yummy cake, it says "Be Mine", for my Valentine but he just called and was ordered to work late tonight, so the kids got to it first!

I love Valentine's Day, it makes you think of all of the people in your life that your life that you love. I have so many people and things in my life that I love.

10 ways I show love:

*I LOVE to give people presents

*I keep a clean house

*I help PATIENTLY with homework

*I make all of the beds in the morning

*I always share

*When I find out someone is going through a hard time I always have time to lend a ear and shoulder

*I try to take dinner (usually buy, I don't cook!) to my friends when they are sick or have a baby

*I love to help babysit my friends kids

*I watch TV with Dan and let him have the remote

*I hug my family and tell them I love them everyday

10 ways love is shown to me by others:

*Dan never hangs up the phone without saying he loves me

*Dan helps keep the kids entertained when I have work to do

*Dan is very supportive of my career

*Bryan will feed the dogs (I hate the smell of dog food)

*Cole always gives me good hugs and kisses

*Cody will kiss me goodbye in front of kids at school, even though it embarrasses him

*My friends are always there to listen to me when I need them

*My mom is always willing to babysit for us or have us visit her

*When I receive little notes in the mail from friends

*When my friends really make me laugh!

10 things I LOVE to do:

*Walk into my kids rooms when they are asleep and kiss them and cover them up.

*Cuddle with Dan

*Watch my kids try new things

*Go to the beach

*Go shopping!!

*Go to restaurants

*Talk with good friends

*Talk to Dan

*Laugh

*Be with family

10 ways I know God loves me:

*He sent his son to die for me

*He gave me Dan

*I was born in America

*I am blessed with the holy ghost

*He answers my prayers

*He trusted me with three of his precious boys to raise and love

*I was born into a family that loves me

*He gave me a sister and sister-in-laws:)

*He has given me amazing friends

*I have more blessings than I could ever name or count

The power of prayer

Each night the boys all say their individual prayers before they lay down for bed. Bryan is to "old" for me to hear his prayers, so he says them in his head, I'm not sure what he says in his prayers, if they are anything like his dinner prayers he blesses and gives thanks for everything and every person in his life before he asks for anything! I still have the opportunity to listen in on Cole and Cody's prayers. They have both blown me away.

Cody- For two nights straight he said how grateful he was that he didn't live in the woods! I thought how cute, he's grateful for his house. On the third night of this I asked him what he meant, his reply was "At school we are reading a book and the family lives in the woods and the Dad has to get furry animals for the family to eat, yuk!"

Cole- Every night Cole thanks Heavenly Father for his life. Out of all of the things in his life, toys, friends, games, game stations, his motorbike, I am amazed he says his life. I always thank Heavenly Father for so many things in my life, but my life, I need to remember to be truly grateful for.

All three of my boys have taught me more about prayer then I ever could have taught me. They have this way of humbling you. I find that this time, prayer time, as Bryan is "thinking" his prayer and Cole and Cody are saying their prayers one at a time with Dan and I, to be my favorite time of day, I actually look forward to it. I am so thankful they each know where to go, who to be thankful to that we don't have to, "live in the woods"! I am so proud!

Art Project!

Bry and Dan choosing their stockings

Cole and his stocking

Filling stockings with seed

Filling the stockings with soil

Choosing our face decorations

In order from your left to right top row: Dan, Tara. Bottom row: Bry, Cole, Cody

Dan made fun of mine because it had earrings and a necklace!

The whole family

Lyne (art therapist) and boys

Mmmmmm! Pizza!

For Christmas this year Dan's sister Angy gave us a gift certificate for a private family art lesson in Ventura at the Art Barn. What a blast!!!!! We made these funny faces that grow grass out of their heads. They are made out of pantyhose, soil and grass seed. We all really enjoyed ourselves, Dan and I included! It is really fun how unique all of the faces are, we were not allowed to help the kids, they had to create them all by themselves, I think they did a great job. After we were done we treated the kids to pizza. What a fun memory to have. Thanks Aunt Angy, we love you!

Day at the Park

There goes Abby, dog friend, and Kids after the ball!

Even Abby got in the fun!

Watch out below

I'm so cute aren't I!

Cody is stuck!!!!

The kids had Monday off of school and we were rewarding Bryan for his good behavior at school, he wanted to go for a day hike and fishing but it was so windy and cold we decided it would be better if we saved that outing for another day! We ended up at a park for a picnic instead, the boys had a blast. This park is our favorite one to go to- it has a dog park in a fenced off area. The boys love to through the ball for all of the dogs in the park and most owners welcome the helpful energy! We all played tag, the kids' very favorite game to play at the park, the second we get out of the car they all run to the park yelling "who's it?, who's it?" We all left after a few hours happy and tired, and ready to go home!

100 Things About Me

I have seen this post on a few of my friend’s blogs and decided to take on the challenge. Especially to try and share things that I don't usually share. So here are 100 things about me:

1. I played the clarinet from the 3rd grade all of the way through high school.

2. I was in competitive swimming from the age of 8 and went to the Jr. Olympics.

3. The older I get the more confidence I have and don’t care what other people think.

4. I can’t sing, not a single note in tune.

5. I have three of the cutest boys!

6. I was afraid to have my second and third sons because I was worried I couldn't love another child as much as I loved my first- I was wrong, mother's some how have endless love for children.

7. I love to laugh and have always been able to laugh at myself and others.

8. I took ballet, tap, jazz, and gymnastics when I was young.

9. I wanted to be a cheerleader in high school but I was born with no rhythm, which you needed for the dances!

10. The older I get, the more nerve I have.

11. I HATE my butt- that is where I gain all of my weight.

12. I have laughed so hard, I peed my pants.

13. My parents live close and I don’t know what I would do without them.

14. I hate cooking, Dan does most of the cooking!

15. I can’t stand anyone else, including Dan, cleaning my house- they don’t do it right!

16. I love chocolate and wish I could eat it every day.

17. My dream is to be really successful in life- spiritually, financially, and physically.

18. I have REALLY thin naturally curly hair- I HATE it.

19. I love taking really long hot showers and do every night to relax and wind down.

20. I am married to my best friend and I can tell him every thing.

21. I lost over 20 pounds a few years ago and have gained 18 back:(

22. I have to change and wash my sheets at least once a week.

23. I never iron, I rewash instead.

24. I HATE exercising.

25. I have one sister and a brother, I’m the middle one.

26. I was sealed in the temple to Dan just over a year after we were married.

27. My expectations of myself are usually very high, I end up working my tail off to reach them.

28. My mom used to make my clothes in grade school, I thought it was cool, everyone else didn’t.

29. I had a very serious relationship, we talked about marriage, before I met and married Dan.

30. I never finished college.

31. I often wonder what people REALLY think of me.

32. When I find a true friend, I am completely loyal and hang onto them for dear life.

33. I had 6 college room mates/friends, I only keep in touch with one of them, I wish I still kept in contact with the rest. I know I knew them before this life.

34. I have a best friend that I have known for almost 9 years I love that I can still pick up the phone, call her and talk to her about anything.

35. I want to be a foster parent.

36. I hated being pregnant, I threw up all day, every day.

37. I hate when people say they have been "too busy " to call or keep in touch because that is an important priority to me.

38. I hate excuses.

39. I wish I could tell people how I truly felt sometimes.

40. I am addicted to Diet Pepsi.

41. I love hearing songs from when I was in high school and college because they bring back very vivid memories and experiences from that time in my life.

42. I never thought I would make more money then my husband, it’s kind of fun!

43. I have a tattoo.

44. I have never left the country.

45. I hate being late or when other people are late.

46. I love to people-watch.

47. I love sushi.

48.I wish I knew how to surf

49. I want to go on a service mission with my husband one day.

50. I feel like the flap of skin on my nose is the first thing people see when they look at me.

51. Things and words hurt more when they come from family or from people you love.

52. I don’t cry very easily, I wish I did.

53. I hate the spider veins on my legs.

54. I wish I was better at writing thank you notes.

55. I love to get the mail and look forward to it coming every day.

56. I like talking on the phone.

57. I HATE mornings

58. My dream vacation would be to go to Europe.

59. I am not good at sports.

60. I love going to live professional sports games but hate watching them on TV.

61. I am so blessed to be an American

62. One of my goals for 2007 is to attend the temple with Dan at least once every 6 weeks.

63. I am VERY stubborn

64. I definitely married up

65. Dan usually says sorry first.

72. My religion is the foundation for who I am and my greatest gift.

73. Dan and I cherish our few hours alone every night after the kids go to bed.

74. I really don't like it when people leave their kids all of the time with a baby sitter.

75. I always wished I wasn't the middle child.

76.My biggest fear is that Dan will die first.

77. I once toilet papered my parents house with my young women’s class, hey, Dad was the Bishop.

78. I love to cuddle with my boys.

79. I never feel alone.

80. I love the ocean- it is my favorite place to be.

81. I love my church calling and am thankful I haven’t been released yet- second counselor in Relief Society.

82. I force myself to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.

83. I really HATE when people lie to me.

84. I get nervous when I have to speak in front of people, I still don’t know how I can do my job so well.

85. I love to laugh and love to see people smile.

86. I wish I could protect my children always- but I know they will have to make their own choices.

87. I love to watch a good movie- romantic comedy is my fav.

88. I love that my kids are old enough to sleep in on Saturday’s.

89. Listening to my children laugh is the best sound in the world.

90. My favorite color is purple.
91. My favorite treat is anything chocolate.

92. I had braces for 2 years in high school, I hated every moment of it.

93. I love Disneyland, we go about once a month.

94. I love vacations.

95. I struggle every day to be a good mother and a good wife.

96. I have a low pain tolerance, I am a total baby.

97. Labor and delivery of my children were the most precious moments of my life.
98. I wish my sister and sister-in-laws lived closer.

99. I love to eat at restaurants.

100. I have never kept a journal until I started blogging- and I love it.

Thank Heaven for Little Girls!

Those of you who know me, know I love to help friends and family by watching their children for them. I have a friend who had to go back to work and she asked me to watch her 2 1/2 yr old daughter on Thursday mornings, of course I jumped at the chance! Launa comes after Bryan and Cole go to school and is here with Cody for about 45 min. before he goes. Cody is so sweet to her! He helps her with puzzles and his toys (sometimes to much help!). I can not believe the difference between girls and boys! After I drop off Cody at school, Launa doesn't stop talking until her grandma comes and picks her up at noon! Dan was off this Thursday and after we dropped of Cody we had a few erans to run, 2 min. down the road he turns to me and says "you weren't kidding, were you!" He couldn't believe how much noise could come out of something so small! Bry and Cole are a little jealous they don't get to spend some time with Launa in the mornings, I just remind them she talks non-stop and the jealousy is gone!

Bry has received straight + marks on his weekly Behavior, Classwork, Homework folder 3 weeks in a row! This is a huge accomplishment for him! We are rewarding him on Monday with a day hike and some fishing, this is one his favorite family activities. We are very proud!