Super Big Picture Post! Early 2011

 The kids playing on the slide on one of our trips to Artic Circle.  This place was nice during the winter because it was close, indoors, big and got their wiggles out.

 One of the first warmish days we had, they insisted on a picnic outside.  They are eating mac and cheese.

 On Sunday afternoon.  And I promise, this picture is not staged!  I walked into the living room and they were all sound alseep on top of each other!  Jeremy sure is a good daddy!

 I was cleaning out the kitchen and the little found these plastic margarita glasses.  They wanted their juice in them.

 Ace loves ice cream!

 My boys!

 I am always finding Lydia in weird places like this.  And with a dirty face.  That girl cannot keep clean!

 She also has taken to making her bed in weird random places.  I also find little beds for dolls everywhere too.  Like, in the kid's training potty.

 Wyatt has a hard time going to sleep by himself.  So we started locking him in his room at night.  At the beginning of this, he would always fall asleep by the door, and we would move him to bed.  This night, he fell asleep propped up in the corner.  Poor kid!  He is sleeping much better now.

 We were all being silly one night before bed and I drew smiley faces on their tummies.  Wyatt thought it was AWESOME!

Wyatt and his best friend Graham.  I have watched Graham all year long.  These two are only a few months apart in age and get along so great!  They are also the trouble twins and have wreaked havoc on many a thing.  It is so fun to see these to together.

9 years and counting . . .

On February 8, Jeremy and I celebrated 9 years of matrionial bliss. We took the kids to Mom and Dad's (thanks!), came home and made ourselves a candlelit steak dinner, with dancing (to a custom made playlist) and cheesecake. We always have cheesecake on our anniversary because that is what we served at our wedding reception. We have been through a lot in 9 years, and our love has only grown stronger. Happily we have 3 wonderful children, a dog, and a house. We have all we need. Love you babe!

Father's Day

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home,

Glad as I can be!

Clap my hands and shout for joy,

And climb upon his knee!

Put my arms around his neck,

Hug him tight like this!

Pat his cheeks and give him what?

A great big kiss!

This truly is the scene at our house when Daddy comes home. Jeremy is a fantastic father and the kids love him more than anything. Lydia's only real word (that she says with any frequency) is DaDa. The kids 1st words are always DaDa. Play stops and everyone runs to the door to be the first to get a kiss from Dad. I am so thankful and so grateful for the opportunity to share parenthood with this wonderful man. Jeremy is patient and loving and gives each child individual attention. He is a wonderful father (and husband, but that really is for another day). We started the day with breakfast in bed. Aidan really wanted to do this for him (he wanted it to be his super special day, as well it should be) and I had to keep Jeremy in bed so we could bring him his breakfast! Aidan helped me make bacon and egg sandwiches, caramel rolls and OJ, and we served it to Jeremy on a cookie sheet, along with his presents. He got some clothes, a Wii game and wheel, a mini air compressor and and iPod case. We also shared some great meals with family (including both of our own dads). And now, I am letting him watch whatever he wants on TV, without me complaining ;)He loves to read to the kids, and does so almost everyday. This picture isn't staged, this is a very frequent occurance in our home. He also plays with the kids until they run him ragged, and then keeps going. Jeremy also works so very hard to provide for us, something we are so grateful for. Sometimes he will work a 70 hour week and then still come home and play, or help put to bed. We know that we are him 1st priorties, because he not only tells us, but he shows us that we are in eveything that he does. Jeremy honors his priesthood and we are blessed to have worthy priesthood holder to help lead and guide us in our home. Thank you sweetheart-from my whole heart. I couldn't have made a better man to create a family with.

Speaking of dads, I want to take a moment to express my love and thanks for the other fathers in my life (I am so lucky to be surrounded by such amazing men!)

To my Dad: I love you so much! Thank you for all the help and support that you have given me over the years. I am a better person because I know of your love for me. You guided me through the years and helped me to develop my testimony of the gospel. I will always be thankful that you joined the Church so many years ago and raised us to believe as well. Now, my kids have the opprotunity to have you as a Grandpa-and they love you so much as well. Happy Father's Day.

To my Pa: I love you so much! You have always been one of my very favorite people, and I still remember how I cried when we moved to Idaho because I wouldn't see you everyday. I love your stories. I love hearing your testimony. The example you have set for me (regarding the temple, especially) has touched me and will stay with me for life. I am so glad I am your very oldest grandchild.

To my Dad-in-Law: I love you! Thank you for teaching my husband how to be a father and a husband. He is such a wonderful one and I know that you and Jill have everything to do with that. Thank you for sharing him with me. Thank you for being Grandpa to my kids. They are truly blessed to be surrounded by such love.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!!

Barnes' Big Birthday Bash 2010!

So, we have 3 birthdays within 2 weeks at our house. Miss Lydia starts off the festivities on February 21, Jeremy's birthday is February 26, and Wyatt finishes off the fun on March 8. So, in celebration of Liddy's 1st, Jeremy's 30th, and Wyatt's 2nd, we had a combined family party last Friday. I love this picture of all the birthday kids. Since I dedicated the last post to Lydia, and Wyatt's day is coming up, this one will mostly be about my wonderful husband big 3-0!

Isn't he handsome? I love this man so much! He is such a hard worker and provider for us, the least I could do was arrange a party for him. Jeremy is a wonderful father. I always tell him that I couldn't have created a better husband myself. We also went out on a date the next night-we recommend the movie "Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Lightning Thief." It was great!

I just couldn't resist this picture-this is the embodiment of my Wyatt. He is such a sweet goofball. And so very handsome, too.

Wyatt's birthday cupcake-he did so well blowing out the candles. As you can see in the picture, he is kind of mesmerized by the flame. Lydia also had her own cupcake with 1 candle on it, but we have no pictures of that. The cupcakes were funfetti cupcakes with funfetti frosting. I have to thank Aidan and Kayleen for helping me out with those. They did a great job!

The "old man's" cake. Look at all those candles! He mangaged to blow them all out with one breath. I guess he gets his wish-I wonder what it was?

So, happy birthday everyone! I am so grateful to be your mommy and your wife. I love you!