Hiatt Party

Mom and Dad doing their thing. The kids love being with them and they equally love having the kids around.

Ty thought being an angel was great. Of course ,she loves to dress up so why wouldn't she think it was all fun and games.Avery was obviously enjoying herself as well!

Tate when AWOL long before the nativity started. I found him out back being Tate riding a bike. I forced him back in to be a Sheppard and well by the next picture you can see how much he enjoyed it.

Ya I am mean, but you have to sit on his lap to get your gift right?

Ty was not to sure about the pinata this year. Maybe because the bat weighed more than she does.

The guys pretending to love the party.

It was a great day and we are so blessed to have an amazing family. I love that traditions from when I was a kid are still occurring. The kids look forward to it every year as do I!

A little of this and That

Tate adores his sisters and I cant get enough of it!

Dark Hair- a first ever for me! Brooks doing a little P90X. I have been taking a crack at that thing called working out:) slacking of late but hey its the holidays!We are ready for summer. My kids think if its in the 70s that's warm enough for water action. It went from high 70s to the 50s.

More Riding

On Sat. the Butlers invited us to go to the track on Ironwood with them. Tate cant seem to get enough riding in and was really excited to go. Its pretty cool how they have multiple tracks to suit all ages. The boys basically had 2 entire tracks to themselves. They rode until their thumbs were sore and loved every minute of it. We are missing not going to the dunes but for now we try to ride as much as we can. We finally had the governor taken off of Tate's quad so it actually goes quite fast now. Tate thinks he is Evil Knievel even more now than before. Both B and Ty love to ride also. Ty thinks she has a permanent spot is on the front of the little 50. I love that as a family we are able to thoroughly enjoy riding. For now we are enjoying tearing it up in good ole Queens. Thank goodness we live out here where we are surrounded with wide open spaces. I love living where we do and am grateful my kids can actually enjoy the outdoors.

Thanksgiving

So I am a tad behind on posting. Its just been crazy of late and our computer is on the fritz. Business aside we had a great Thanksgiving. Chad parents were leaving to go out of town so we didn't do the norm and go to Kyles. Since it was the Cutchen on year we all just went to moms. The kids had tons of fun playing and we enjoyed just relaxing. This was the 1st time ever not having B on Thanksgiving and I really missed her. I found myself wondering if she knew how much I love her and am grateful to be her mom. I am so blessed to have 3 healthy children who bring me happiness and so much laughter. I am thankful to have a husband who is here and engaged in being an excellent husband and dad. I am grateful to have a husband "that could've bowed out gracefully but you didn't, you knew enough to leave well enough alone but you didnt" I can hardly hear the words to that Rascal Flatts song without crying. It is so fitting and I couldn't be more blessed to have you Chad. I am so fortunate to have a Heavenly Father who loves me through the good and the bad. I am so thankful for the Atonement. Heaven knows myself alone has put it to good use. I cant imagine life without the knowledge that we have and the comfort that knowledge gives. I'm blessed to have wonderful parents. Both mine and Chads parents are so loving and Christlike. Our kids couldn't be luckier to have them for grandparents. I feel blessed to live in a free country. Changes aside, we are so fortunate to have all that we do. We are so blessed to have such great families. Between our families and good friends we are so lucky to have wonderful people to surround ourselves with. I could go on and on but I am ignoring the kids at the moment which only leads to trouble. Bottom line is I feel so blessed to be where I am. Its not perfect and heaven knows a work in progress but, its far better than I could have ever imagined!!

Gilbert Days

Chad put together a team to play in GDs. They had all the talent needed to go far but just executed a bit late. The played four games and were done. It was fun nonetheless and I had fun getting shirts made for the kids. I made one for myself as well but it was quite large so I passed. The kids thoroughly enjoyed playing ball and rolling around in the dirt. Tate thinks he is on home run ball retrieval duty all the time so I spent half my day in left field with Tate. I think the Cummards alone kept the snack stand in business for the day. Whatever keeps them happy right. B was cracking me up because she has a competitive side that she unleashed that day. Whenever someone would make an error of foul out she would yell " are you kidding me. " I finally had to tell her to simmer down a bit. I was laughing and thinking that is so what I'm thinking just not saying out loud. I love that all of my kids have a love for sports and can appreciate them. Whether its watching, playing or supporting they are always right there and enjoying it. That's the key, enjoying it! Go CDC I love you.

Student of the Month

Again again B, we are so proud of your accomplishments. She was given the student of the month award. We all went to her awards assembly and were called to stand up front with her as she received her award. Mr Jeffers said something about B while that made me feel so happy. He said that Brooklyn is a perfect example of integrity. He said integrity to him was how she acted even when no one was paying attention. She is on task and is a huge help to the other kids in her class. He has told me that he seats her by kids who need some motivation or a little help because she seems to always be willing. Having integrity is a great quality and I was so proud when he said those words. I'm also pretty sure there is not a more pretty 3rd grader. Come on I was so not cute at her age! I love you Brooks and feel so blessed to be your mother!

Tate is taking it all in. B is definitely setting the bar high for Tate. If he can hold still long enough to learn I think he may do OK:)

Brooklyns Class Presentation

Check out those open mouths. Mrs. Tellef would be so happy:)

Madison was cracking me up with her arms folded. It so reminds me of myself! Larks came to show support. These 2 are such good friends. Its nice to have your best friend live next door and be family.
Last week B had a performance at the Queen Creek Performing Arts Center. It was for all of the 2nd grade. She did so well. She had a long part she had to remember and she tore it up. She memorized it all by herself! Maybe she is taking after my 4th grade acting career. I was the main character in Snow White, and I was good. I had hundreds of lines and I still managed to help the other kids with theirs. We have it on video somewhere, I need to show B. Ok so now that I went off on that tangent and was reliving my one and only acting experience, back to B. She is awesome at everything. She tries her hardest as gives 100 percent. I could not be more pleased. Good Job B!!!!!!!!!

Good Job B, Julia and Madison