These kids!

Yesterday these two kids were so cute. I had the day off and we had a relaxing day at home. We played and rested and they snuggled in the chair and watched Spongebob together.

Today was a different story. Jeff is off on Fridays and I was at work most of the day. Before I went to work I told Mylie she could go in the office and scrapbook and play on the computer. When I got home and noticed that Mylie hadn't put everything away when she was scrapbooking. I went into the office with her to make sure she got everything put away and noticed hair on the floor, hair in the garbage ... who knew that decorative scissors could cut hair? After an extended time-out and losing all her scissors we had a long talk. She had no explanation for why she did it. I explained to her that her hair looked silly and that it wouldn't grow back until she is 6. She looked at me with a very concerned look and said, "I shouldn't have done that!"

Fast forward to later tonight, the kids were in bed and Jeff went in the kitchen to put some cookie dough in the oven (yep, he makes cookies). He gets them on the pan, preheats the oven, and when it beeps he puts the cookies in. Just moments later there is a terrible smell. I ask Jeff if something had spilled in the oven. He goes in and looks ... apparently we were going to have baked football for dessert. Yes, Blake has recently discovered he can open the oven and we are having a problem keeping him (and apparently his toys) out of it. This is what I can't figure out though ... how did Jeff put a cookie sheet in the oven and not notice a FOOTBALL sitting there?

There was a Bosco story tonight too, but my Mom will read this, so I'll spare you the details. :)

"Gonna party like its your birthday!"

What a wonderful weekend! Mylie's birthday was on Tuesday and we celebrated with lunch at Red Robin, a trip to the zoo and cupcakes. Jeff and I both took the day off and it was great. We had her birthday party on Saturday and had a lot of fun. My mom and dad drove over on Friday night and brought Darcy, Max and Eliza with them. Darcy and Max stayed at our house ... party time!

Saturday was the party and it fun (and busy)! I put together a slide show of pictures of Mylie from birth to her 5th birthday. It was such fun to do and we had it playing during the party. It was fun because her friends and family who were at the party were in the slide show as well so it was fun to see how everyone has changed. Since I had watched it multiple times through the party, I made it through without crying.

Mylie wanted to have a bowling party, but we decided to have a bowling party at home. The kids bowled outside, and although it was cold, they had a lot of fun. Mylie took 3rd place! {Max, Helen, Mylie & Drake}


Mylie got lots of fun presents, including a dollhouse. It was mine when I was little and my mom repainted it and brought it over for her. She was very excited. It made me a big sentimental.

And of course, there was cake! Although I consider myself a good cake, we go for the Costco cake for birthdays. Yum! Mylie picked the princess decorations and I picked the cheesecake filling. All were happy.

It was a fun day. I'm grateful for Mylie and the special girl she is. I'm also grateful for wonderful family and friends who love and support us. My children will never doubt that they are loved by many people.

We had a fun rest of the weekend. Papa took us all to Fudruckers (his favorite) and then all the kids (except Blakey) went swimming with Papa on Saturday night. Mylie had fun having Max go to primary with her on Sunday. We had a yummy lunch (I did cook this time) after church and then Gramma, Big A Papa and the kids left for Idaho Falls.

I'm not quite ready for the week to start. One week until Thanksgiving break (yay!). I'm tired and tired of being sick. The kids and I have been on antibiotics (we had strep last week) for 10 days and I think all of us feel worse than we did 10 days ago. Jeff has a terrible cold/cough, that is lingering. Mylie and I are working on cleaning her room (not my favorite task). I need pointers to help her keep her room clean. She is a hoarder and everytime we clean her room I empty out bags of paper. But we got a lot done tonight and hopefully can finish it up tomorrow. I already pulled the Santa card ... gotta have a clean room. Believe me, there is no shame in milking the Santa card for everything it is worth.

So here's to a good week, to less sniffles and sneezes, to me being patient and motivated! Hey, a girl can dream, right?

It's strange ...

It's strange to think that 5 years ago, I was just a day away from being a Mom. It's strange to think that I didn't yet know how much love my heart was capable of holding and giving. It's strange to think that I didn't think I could love Jeff more than I did.

And just like that, Mylie was born and my entire life changed. Every little part of it. I didn't think I could love Jeff any more than I already did, and then I saw him hold a minute old Mylie and I fell even deeper. I loved Mylie before she was born, but when I held her, my whole life changed. I knew I would love her and protect her and teach her and sacrifice for her ... and I would be happy to do so.

Mylie and I were talking about her birthday the other day and I was explaining to her that before she was born, I wasn't a Mom. She couldn't even comprehend it, it was so funny. She made me a Mom. I'm so excited for her 5th birthday, but a bit emotional about it too. I've been working on something special for her birthday party and I have had a lot of laughs and tears while doing it.

I don't really even have the words for what I am trying to say, but goodness, I love this girl. I love the baby she was and the girl that she is. I love her kind heart and her quick wit, her willingness to help others and her ability to make others laugh. I love how much she loves her Daddy and her brother and her puppy ... and me. I love it when she tells me I'm the best Mom ever, or the Mom-diggity. I love it when she tells me I'm a good cook or when she can't wait to show me something. I love the pictures I have hanging in my office that she drew for me. Mostly I just love her madly. I'm thankful Heavenly Father had enough trust in me to send her to our family. She brings so much joy into our home and our heart.

So Mylie (or Bear, as Daddy calls her), we love you!

Happy Halloween!

Our Halloween celebrations started last weekend in Idaho Falls. Holli suggested a pumpkin patch in town and we went with Darcy, Max and Eliza. We were going to a trunk or treat afterwards, so the all wore their costumes to the pumpkin patch! So cute. There was a train. Blake liked sitting on it ... as long as it wasn't moving.

So the big kids went on a train ride.

And Blake started looking for a pumpkin.

He's a pretty cute Tigger, if I must say.

As soon as Mylie got off the train, she was ready to find a pumpkin for herself!

My best attempt at getting all 5 of them looking at the camera.

Ritchie grandkids are pretty darn cute!

And here is the newest grandbaby, Lila, in her costume.

Of course while we were in Idaho Falls we had to decorate and eat Grandma's famous sugar cookies. Love the look on Blake's face is this one.

Grandma helping out Mylie and Max.

Yesterday was a busy pre-Halloween day with trick or treating to Daddy's office, the courthouse, and to Grandma and Grandpa Breach. And then tonight they were off again. Princess Mylie posing with Bosco, our new puppy.

The kids had such a fun Halloween week.

Happy Halloween!

This boy ...

really truly cracks me up. He's walking around the house this morning having a deep conversation on his Elmo phone. Mylie and I are giggling at him and it is reminding me to write down the funny things he does.

• He jabbers non-stop but only have a handful of words (that we understand). This doesn't stop his communication in the least. For instance, yesterday we had to stop in Coscto quickly to pick up a few things. We are across the store, but Blake spots the samples, points and starts grunting. It was so funny! Better yet, they were cream puffs!
• This morning I found Blake in the kitchen on the floor. He had pulled one of the place mats off the table and was laying on it doing push ups. Not exaggerating at all. It was so stinkin' funny. He is a totally mini-me of Jeff.
• He loves to dance (total white boy style). He has serious moves to the Dora Explorer theme song.
• He loves to take out the garbage. Whenever there are boxes or containers (bigger things) he takes them and puts them by the garage door for Daddy to take them out. He is a good helper.

We sure love this little man, also known as Blakey, Blakester, Colonel, Bubba, Buddy and Turd.

WARNING: Insanely cute baby & momma pictures ahead!

I am not really a spontaneous person. I like to plan things, things are planned at our house months in advance. But last week I was talking to Bailey and she was talking about all the new baby animals at Hogle Zoo, including the baby elephant. When we were last at Hogle Zoo in July, the momma elephant was getting close to having her baby. I got off the phone with her and Jeff and I spontaneously decided we would go to Salt Lake this weekend to see the baby animals.

Oh my goodness, I am so glad we did! We had such a fun (albeit quick) trip. We left Friday afternoon and got to our hotel around 9 that night. Bailey came to the hotel to visit the kids. They were slightly excited about the whole trip in general and probably didn't fall asleep until 11:30 or 12 ... and up at 7, ack. Regardless, they were such good kiddos and it was a fun trip. We saw the baby animals, went on the carousel and the train. We got back home around 10 on Saturday night.

This baby elephant (Zurri) is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. She looks so little, but she was born in August and was 251 pounds. I guess that isn't too little!

She was totally performing for the {large} crowd. Too cute!

Then onto the baby giraffe, born in July. We guessed she was about 7-8 feet tall.

They were hiding, but there were 3 tiger cubs. I wished we could have seen them play, goodness, I bet it would have been precious.

There were also baby snow leopards (but they were really hiding), a baby monkey and a young orangutan. She was the cutest thing and was playing with her dad. There was a blanket in with them and she would put it over his face and then pull it off, totally playing peek a boo!

We had such a great time. It was nice to just get away as a family and spend some quality time together. You know how sometimes you have those moments when you realize how lucky you are? I had one sitting on the little train at the zoo, with Blake on my lap and Mylie sitting next to me. Jeff and I had a great chance to talk uninterrupted on the ride home while the kids were asleep. It was a spectacular weekend!

Meet Bosco.

Bosco is our new boxer puppy. He is too little to come to our house yet, just 4 and a half weeks old. The kids (Jeff and Mylie, haha) are so excited. Blake will be too when he figures out what is going on. I'm excited to bring this cute little dude home and to watch my kids have their own puppy. We have his bed, bowls, toys, leash and collar all ready to go. We just need to pick up a kennel and some dog food. Only a few more weeks ....