I Am A Mother

I don't know how many of you have read this book by Jane Clayson Johnson, and I usually don't do posts about books, but this one is worth reading. I think that it was my friend, Lark, who told me about this book to begin with and it took me about a year to get around to reading it. I am very thankful that Ben remembered that I said I wanted it and he gave it to me for Christmas. Anyway, this book is a wonderful book that reminds you how precious and beautiful it is to be a mother and a woman, even despite the challenges that we face. I loved curling up every night before I went to bed and reading a page or two, or a chapter (depending on how tired I was). Sometimes you hear women say, or maybe you have said it as well, "I'm just a mom." Or people will say to you, "Oh, you're just a mom?" After reading this book, you will never want to say that again. You will want to become a better person and strive to live a better life and be proud to say, "I am a mother!"

It's a twin thing

The other night Caleb and Carson were out of control with the rowdiness. They were going crazy and not listening. Ben and I were making dinner and couldn't even hear each other talk! So we put them outside (yes, it was dark) and we locked the door. They continued wrestling and were still noisy, but at least it was outside. Well, about 5 to 10 minutes later, the noise died down and when we looked outside, this is what we saw. They were deep in a quiet, yes quiet conversation. They are best friends and such fun boys and we truly enjoy them even when things get a little crazy!

The boys visit Santa

Every year, the Richardson family does a Christmas Program. When I say Richardson Family, I mean Ben's Grandpa's brothers and sisters and all their families. There is a newsletter that gets passed out with updates from all the families (thank you Heather who did ours) and then their is a Nativity Program, singing and then Santa. Here are pictures of the boys with Santa: Devin, Ashton, Calvin, Carson and Caleb.

Happy Birthday Ben!!!

I wanted to wish Ben a Happy Birthday! We are so glad that he is a part of our lives!

Here are a few of the things that I love about him...

He is always happy. People have asked me if he's like that at home and he is! What you see is what you get!

He's always optimistic, even when things may not be going "as planned". (Which they usually don't in our house.)

He is very helpful around the house.

I love how he makes breakfast in the morning.

And I especially love when he does the dishes!

He helps out by doing laundry and putting the boys to bed and cleaning the house and knowing when I need "a break".

He loves his tools and I think that he gets them out just to look at them every once in while since he has been back in school and doesn't use them as often.

I know that I take for granted how handy he is with everything from working on cars to working on A/C units to plumbing to framing to roofing to computers and even to gluing our kids back together. ;) He has done it all!

He is very creative when it comes to playing with the boys. He comes up with activities and games and makes up some pretty incredible stories.

He is a wonderful father! I love the example that he sets for all these boys that run around our house. :) It's amazing how much they look up to him! And really quite interesting to hear some of the conservations he has with the boys from science to math to biology and "doctor stuff" to fixing things to spiritual things to funny things.

I love how he makes goals for himself and he always accomplishes them!

He is very dedicated to the things that he sets his mind to.

He inspires me constantly and always makes me laugh!

There is never a dull moment in our house!

Thanks for all you do and I love you!

Our Family Camping Trip

We decided to go on a family camping trip in November. We had quite an interesting trip. Nothing went as planned, but we made the best of it and really enjoyed ourselves. We stopped by lots of different places that we used to just drive on by. It all started off on Friday night, we got a late start and went to the boys' favorite camping site at Pickett Post. Unfortunately, someone took our Plan A spot and our Plan B spot. It was already dark and everyone was starving so after driving and finding the next best thing, we stopped and made dinner. The bad part about it was that it was soooo windy there! We didn't even set up our tents, Ben took the back seat out of the Yukon XL and I made all the boys and myself a bed in the car. Ben set up a little tent and slept outside. I'm surprised that he didn't blow away! It was pretty bad. So the next morning we packed up and decided to go somewhere else. We drove and drove and couldn't find a place that we wouldn't blow away at. So we picked up breakfast at McDonald's, since our eggs all broke during the trip and stopped by a few places (you can look at all the pictures below). We eventually went back to our Plan A spot and no one was there. So we made lunch there and went on a little hike. It was so beautiful and we all enjoyed ourselves! As we were leaving, we noticed that we had a flat (or really low) tire. Luckily, we made it back into Superior and aired it up. What a trip! It is one that we will not forget!

************************************************

Here are some pictures of our stop in Superior...

The boys (and especially Ben) loved looking at all the mine equipment.

Devin and Carson...
The mine equipment is right off the highway. Here is Calvin showing off the sign.

At our Plan A campsite, the boys made these little bridges. They were really quite impressive. They broke sticks into the right sizes and would see if they would hold when the water would run underneath.

This is the place that the wagon wheels from many years ago made quite the impression as they traveled along the trail.

These are pictures from our little hike. The place is really beautiful. Ben and the boys would tell me about it all the time. I guess that I thought they were just exaggerating since it is still in the desert...only 45 minutes away!

Here is Devin showing me the path.

Now that's alot of boys!

Left to Right: Calvin, Devin, Caleb, Ashton, Carson

Carson

Ashton

Calvin

Caleb

Here are some pictures in Globe at a little park right off the highway. The playground equipment is so old! We have always wondered if anyone stops to play there. We were the only ones there!

Here's Ashton!

Carson

Here is Devin and Ashton playing on the "working equipment".

Caleb looking inside.

Devin

Our little girl...

This is a picture of one of the ultrasounds that I recieved on November 18.

I just love the profile pictures of babies. So here is our little girl!

Pedicures, Anyone?

Every once in awhile my sisters and I go and get a pedicure. When I saw this video I just had to laugh because it brings back good times...(remember to turn off the music first.)

The Pumpkin and Chili Festival

During the month of October I helped my Mom make ice cream at Schnepf Farms for their Pumpkin and Chili Festival. We had a lot of fun making the ice cream! Carrie Schnepf surprised us with complimentary tickets and wristbands and food vouchers to use at the Festival. So we took all the boys and made a day of it the first of November. Here are a few of the highlights.

Warning: There are alot of pictures!

********************************************************************

Here is Carson in the pumpkin field. Carrie let us take as many pumpkins as we wanted since it was the day after Halloween. So the boys picked out lots of pie pumpkins and that kept me busy for a whole day making the pumpkin puree.

Believe it or not, this is how Devin wanted to pose for a picture. He is actually really happy and thoroughly enjoyed himself.
Caleb and Carson in the middle of the pumpkin field.

The boys were begging to play mini golf. They thought that they were truly pros by the end. We lost a few golf balls, but luckily, we were able to find a few as well.

Here are a few pictures of the swing ride. The went on this ride for a few times.

Here is Caleb. It looks like his head is going to fall off!

And here is Calvin.

We also went to the rock climbing wall. My brother, Jared, was in charge of that ride. He worked at the Farm during the Festival.

Ashton loved to climb the wall!

Devin had to be big like all the other boys! He actually did pretty good.

The three older boys and Ben rode the roller coaster. It may be a little one, but that thing has a kick! Calvin and Carson are sitting in the front seat.

Here you can see Ben and Caleb in the back and then Calvin and Carson in the front.

I think that Calvin had his mouth open the whole time!

Devin rode next to me on the bumblebee ride. He loved every part of the day!

Ashton was mad in this picture because he wanted to ride the bee by himself and didn't want Ben sitting next to him.

Calvin thought that he was so big because he could ride the bee by himself.

The carosel was the first ride that the boys went on. They were all excited!

You can tell that Ashton just can't hold in the excitement! :)

Calvin was patiently saiting for the Carosel to start.

We were the only ones riding, which was fun.

I thought that it looks like Ben has a earring in this picture from the ring by the horses head.

I don't know, maybe it was just my imagination.

This is how Caleb rides the Carosel horse!

Look at those smiles!

Caleb and Carson had a blast!

We went on a train ride around the farm.

Here is a picture of Ben and Calvin with Caleb in the back.

Thanks Schnepf Family!