Leaves!

Our neighbors have some massive trees that drop an amazing amount of leaves in the fall.

Mark takes care of their lawn and with that comes leaf raking duty!

Fortunately he has a ride on lawn mower that makes it a much easier task. 

Yesterday while he was picking up the leaves, the kids and I had fun playing in the leaves.

Abby got completely buried!

My attempt at a cute "fall" picture of the kids.

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It was a beautiful fall day that we had to get out and enjoy.

And this was a perfect way to do so! 

Sammy's Birthday Party!

Most of my family was gone on Sam's actual birthday, so we celebrated on Monday once everyone returned.

The girls and I tried to figure out something special we could do for him that day, 

so we ordered pizza and rented Rio 2.

I'm sure he felt special! :)

Anyways, as I've mentioned before I just cant get over how much of a BOY he is already.

I'm mean there is the obvious differences, but seriously he is so much boy in all that he is and does, it's crazy!

Even down to the way he walks.  He's got some definite swagger in his stride!

I knew his "boy"-ness would come sometime, I just didn't realize it would be so soon!

So while I was brainstorming party ideas, I wanted something that would embrace his BOY hood!

There were a ton of ideas like trucks...cars...superhero...etc.  

But I wanted to save those ideas for when he was into that stuff.

And then one day while perusing on pinterest I came across this idea for a party!

It was PERFECT!!!

I had my amazing cousin Mindy make this sign and I was off to a great start with the party planning.

This theme allowed for some pretty fun food items!

On the menu:

Giant Snake Sandwich

Snake Skins and dip

Snail shell Salad

Snail Slime

With Puppy Chow

Puppy dog tails

and Cupcakes for dessert!

I am so grateful for being close to so much family so I can justify going all out! 

 After dinner we opened presents.

While I was putting the food away Sam had found a stray cupcake and went to town.  That's why he is undressed!

OF COURSE he loved his ball! 

and cars!!!!

This summer at Gpa and Gma Bates' house, Sam loved playing with their bead maze toy.

I have been waiting that long to give him one of his own!

So glad he likes it!

Although he mostly pushes it around the house making car sounds along the way! 

After presents it was time for cake! 

OF COURSE he was fascinated with the flame! 

And then we let him loose to enjoy his cake...officially this time!

He was a little shy at first.  I think because there were so many people watching and waiting for him to dig in!

But eventually the chocolate temptation won out and he went to town!

Oh what I do for a few pictures!

HE WAS A MESS!  Ha!

I drew the line when he started putting cake in his ears, 

I then quickly gave him a bath and let him play with his new toys.

It was a fabulous night and once again I am truly grateful to be surrounded by lots of family.

Sammers you are loved by so many!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Sam - 1 years old!

We are smack dab in the middle of birthday season over here!
With my sweet little boy turning ONE years old!

I was literally more excited about Sam's birthday than my own.  Like totally giddy all day long!

 I kept kissing him and singing to him all day.  I'm sure he thought I was one crazy momma!

I just can't get over that my Sammy boy is one!!!!

Here's some of the things I want to remember about the newest (and pretty much cutest) little one year old!

So I've just got to say, I absolutely LOVE this age.  Definitely one of my favorites!

Sam is bubbling over with so much personality and spunk these days, I just can't stand it.

HE. IS. SO. MUCH. FUN!!!!

He is such a happy little guy and continues to deserve the name of Smiley Sam.

I'm still in awe at how much BOY he already is.

Car sounds, wrestling, getting dirty, teasing, throwing, climbing, etc.  ... He's a master at them all!

He honestly could not be anymore boy.   I LOVE it!

He's got many nicknames!

Sammy, Handsome, Sammer Jammer, Wild Man, Bammers, Buster, Bam, ...just to name a few!

But lately it's mostly just Samuel, because every time I turn around he's getting into (or onto) something he shouldn't!

Like the bathroom!  If he hear's the bathroom door open he totally makes a b-line for it!  No Joke!

Sam NEVER stops moving!  The series of pictures in this post can prove that!

He started walking a couple of months ago and hasn't stopped since.

He LOVES his new found freedom.  And It has sparked a whole new level of curiosity and determination. 

NOTHING can stop him from getting where he wants.

The barricade to block the stairs - not a chance.  The buckle in the shopping cart - forget about it!

It may slow him down for a few days, but eventually he'll figure his way around (or over) it.

He gets where he wants! Period!

His favorite thing right now is to throw things and hear them crash.

He is constantly emptying out my drawers and cupboards, dropping each item on the ground just to hear it crash.

The bigger and louder the better.

Funny story: the other day he discovered the lid to my crockpot and started throwing it around.  It didn't have the usual resulting crash, however, because of the rubber tube around the bottom.  Ever since then, I often see him playing around with it trying to figure out why it's so quiet.  Such a curious little guy.

He has also discovered my pantry and everything within reach is scattered onto the floor within minutes.

Okay, so that pretty much goes for my entire kitchen house!

There's always a little trail of misplaced items he's left behind on his adventure around the house.

I've given up trying to keep it nice and organized until after he's gone to bed!

Sam has been my best eater BY FAR.

The kid will eat anything, despite only having four teeth!.

His first word was "hot" and now everything I put on his tray to eat is "hot".

He's a definite momma's boy and I hope it stays like that forever!

Here are his current measurements:

Height - 29 3/4 inches (43%)  Up from 9% three months ago!

Weight - 20 1/4 lbs (31%)

Oh Sammers, You are growing up way too fast and I just don't like it!

I am grateful everyday that I get to be your momma!

I love you sweet boy!

Happy Birthday!

Sammy's 1st Haircut!

I've been telling Mark for awhile now that Sam needed a haircut.

His hair was getting pretty long and I was tired of it being in his eyes.

But I was dragging my feet about the whole thing because I knew it would make him look so grown up!

My plan was to do it for his birthday.

However, Mark decided while I was gone to the Women's Broadcast last Saturday that he would do it then.

I think he was worried I would hover or something!  :)

 When I got home from the broadcast the girls were giggling and Mark whispered "don't tell mom!"

I immediately became suspicious and began looking for what I wasn't suppose to find.

And then I saw him!

My sweet boy with his hair all trimmed and cut!

One MAJOR plus to having a boy!  Daddy can cut his hair from now on!!!

Sam's new cut was perfect!

The only thing I was disappointed about was that I wasn't there to get any pictures!

So, Yes! I totally made Mark recreate the whole scene, snapped a few shots, and felt a little better about missing it!

 Can this kid get any more handsome?

Now he's definitely ready to turn ONE on Friday!

Abby - 7 years old

 Dear Abby,
        There is so much I want to say to you girlie.  So much I want you to remember about your life right now.  Let me just start out by saying, I can't believe that it's been SEVEN years since you entered this world and changed my life forever!  It seems like just yesterday you were that sweet baby girl in her blessing dress. Now you are a smart and spunky and a little bit sassy seven year old!  I am so lucky to be your mom!  I never really wanted to be anything other than a mom and I always knew someday I would be.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity.  I never could have imagined the amount of joy I feel each day from just being a mom.  I am so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send your sweet spirit into our home.    
         Abby you are an amazing little girl.  Your mature, and wise, and giving, and dependable, and compassionate, and thoughtful, and determined, and kind, and honestly so much more.  You are such a great help to anyone who needs it.  Your teachers comment on how helpful you are to them at school.  Grandma keeps a special list of "Abby jobs" for you and loves it when you can come help her.  Daddy loves your help mowing, and I can't even begin to tell you how much of a help you are to me around the house.  Thank you for being so happy to help out.
         You are also an awesome big sister and a great friend.  I admire you ability to make everyone feel happy.  There have been many times when you have come home from school with a treat or a toy and immediately shared it with (or even gave it to) Lucy or Hannah because they were sad they didn't have one of their own.   There have also been times at school where you have given up your prize or present to someone else because they weren't there or because their's broke.  What a great example of selflessness!  Abby you have always been very aware of other's feelings and you do an amazing job at putting their feelings before yours.  I know that's why every likes you.  You recently told me that sometimes you wished that not everyone liked you because they always want to be around you.  Someday sis, I promise, you will appreciate being surrounded by lots of friends.
         Now, I'll be the first to admit we definitely have our ups and downs, don't we!.  We sometimes get frustrated with each other and yell.  (It's because we are too much alike sis.)  I'm sorry that my patience runs thin sometimes.  I'm trying really hard to change that and find a better way to communicate with you.  So be patient with me, okay!  I just see your amazing potential and have some high expectations for you.  You are so talented and smart and mature, that I sometimes forget you are only 7 years old and I need to let you be just that.
        You're growing up way to fast sweet pea and although it's fun experiencing all the new things that comes with a seven year old first grader, I find myself trying to push some imaginary brakes on life as I see you growing up to become a beautiful, smart, and independent little girl.  I've got this love/hate relationship with growing up! I pray everyday that I will be able to teach you and prepare you for life, that you will surround yourself with good friends, and that you will hold strong to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
           I love you so much Miss Abby.  Happy 7th Birthday sweet girl!  Enjoy it, you'll never be seven again!

                                                                       Love Momma!

 Abby's current stats are...
Height - 48 3/4 inches (64%)
Weight - 52 lbs!