Have you noticed that some SPONTANEOUS events turn into some of the most fun/memorable times.
Well, we had one such Smurfy event in the not too distant past - we had gone to an "end of the summer" matinee where we had seen the movie SMURFS. It was smurf but the smurfiest part was to come the following week - I rented a RED BOX Wii game - Dancing with the Smurfs (that's not really what its called but it'll do)




As you can see the whole family joined in the Smurftivities. Four individuals had remotes and the rest just boogied for the Smurf of it.

You can tell that #1 didn't quite make it out of his church clothes before the party began - so just note - he's usually not so chip and dale. I've got to say that those kids "got moves" And yes, we do have it all on video, which I know someday they will Smurf their heads off showing it so eachothers friends and perhaps future loved ones.

#5 just had to show us her Smurfiest dancing princess eyes. It's kinda her thing.
#3 here showing it's serious business learning to dance with the Smurfs - especially to tunes like "Who let the Smurfs out" and "We like to Smurf it, Smurf it". etc.

Now my kids still know the moves to the songs and smurf a move on occasion.

Yeah - it was down right Super Smurfing fun! #1,2,3 &4 in action.

The Painting of the Faces!

So #4 decided that it would be fun to do a little face painting - I'm not sure if they were kittys or puppies but they were sure cute!

After the children had all been transformed then Auntie C was the first grown up to become one of the pack - followed by Buckabu and finally me.

Here is #2 and Auntie C displaying the beauty of their new LOOK!

It looks like these two girls could be sisters instead of Aunt and niece.

Here is the master face painter at work. What a sport - this Buckabu is - do you know many Grandma's who'd be so willing.

Oh - Darling little animals! #5 is joined by cousins D and C dog! Party hardy!

Flagstaff weekend

So, there are two option when someone is so far behind on the blog 1. Continue where you left off or do more recent events and hope to have more time in the future to cover cool things from the past. So today I've opted for recent.
A few weeks ago just #5 and I were able to venture Northward to visit and help our dear Auntie get ready to move. It was more like a vacation to us - we had a SUPER time - Plus, we got to hold the baby before anyother Aunt! - which for me - was a first time ever event. She is lovely!





#3 and buddy blue eyed cousin had so much fun playing together - which also allowed Aunt S and I to get alot done. We even did some packing!

Aren't these some of the cutest little packers ! One of the best times was the day we went "box hunting" . Mostly it was dumpster diving - ! Auntie S getting temporarily stuck in a dumpster and her grabbing a box full of cracked and dripping egg shells - was a HOOT! We had a great weekend with Auntie S and her family!

The Intended catch up!

Today was planned - inside my head - to be "Catch Up the BLOG" day. But as you can see - hmm, it didn't turn out how I'd envisioned. Man, inside my head I have completed so many things. Some amazing things, yes, but mostly just ordinary normal people accomplishments like....catching up on the family blog. I have a great mental list of my someday completed check off list. They include but are not limited to the following -

1) All the laundry cleaned, folded and put away in two days or at least in the same week.
2) Organizing the cupboards in the hallway and closets...to more effectively use the space- like they do at Ikea.
3)Actually have a weekly menu planned out, have the food purchased with coupon and discounts and cook and served planned meals.
4) Have those meals be healthy and not just the tasty high calorie, high fat meals that I love the best.
5)Happily orchestrate the children to complete homework and chores in a timely and joyful manner
6)Write in my journal more than just before the birth of a child or when I am feeling especially overwhelmed. People will think - what an emotional grump!
7)Exercise, read my scriptures and get ready for the day before my kids get up. Only people who are about to be "twinkled" really do this right?
8)The girls room is finally painted after not completing it the entire summer.( 2 walls done, 2 to go)
9)To have exercised 3 days a week, eaten healthy, fitting into clothes that I actually like and not the frumpy middle aged woman -

You know someday I will accomplish these things. It may not be until there's only two of us left in the house but..... it will be done....it must be done.

EVERYONE IS KUNGFU FIGHTING!

Before Christmas I was going to be extra creative and make a themed Christmas card - Kungfu family- well, needless to say the letter part of the card is partially done and abandoned due to thinking overload.

But, we did have a kick taking pictures of the kids - I wish I could show you the whole lot of them but five will have to suffice.

Oh that #4 - she is a fighting maniac - Grrr - scary

#2 - gracefully flies across the ground - Lovely as she may be . . . there is a human weapon lurking inside.

#5 has skills beyond measure so - to protect your eyes - she is onlydisplaying her softer side.

#3 transformed into a KUNGFU PIRATE - this photo shoot was hysterical! This guy is seriously becoming a contender me hardies.

#1 displaying his -Swan Dive - da da da - undercover as an acrobat - hiding his POWERFUL NINJA SKILLS!

# 3's Birthday

YEAH - It's #3's BOWLING BIRTHDAY! It was perfect! - a whole lot of fun and people we love to play with!

CHEEEEZE EVERYONE!

Yeah - he turned into the bowling machine! The Little Man had a Wonderful Day -

and we wouldn't want it any other way

THE BIRTHDAY BIKE!

MEMORIES - Dec 2010

Some events and moments just have to be remembered. . . . . . .

We heard some giggling coming from the Linen Cupboard and who did we find - #5 and her cousin - what a great hiding spot!

Cisco's sister D graduated from ASU - HURRAH ! At the party, which was delicious, were some very special people. From left to right - Bro. Shelley, Papa Tito, Bro. Justesen and Cisco. The two bros in the picture are long time - extra special family friends.

We've got the whole group together - it must be a PARTY! Cisco's Mom, Aunt, Uncle and Grandmother.

We thought a nice walk to the park and thought a winter picnic would be nice. Yeah it was a bit nippy - but what FUN- plus, who picnics in the winter? Us, I suppose.

#1 and #2 at their first ever piano recital. They both performed Superbly! We're so proud!

California Family

While in the ol' CA we went to visit our dear Aunt Ina and Uncle Blaine. They are truly some of the best people in the whole world. And that's pretty close to a fact! We enjoyed some tasty Mexican food with them and Celebrated Uncle Blaine's 87th (i think) Birthday. We would love to steal them away to our house - hmm, we're still trying to convince them to come. When our children are with them it seems as if - through them - my grandparents are getting to know and spending precious time with their great grand children. I have to say I LOVE IT!

Well we had to eat breakfast while on our trip so - here we are waiting for a table -

Our whole group - and yes, again we get the looks and we mentally answer back, "Yes, all these children are ours."

More California photos

This first photo should have been the last photo in this section but it was determined to stay here at the top. This super FUN and exciting day just plum tuckered the little girls out. . . . . .

Smiling happy people waiting for the Wild West Show!

#2 and #4 give us a big grin as we are waiting for the WILD WEST SHOW to begin -

This one is just tossed in as a "what the cute kids is going on" picture -

Here #5 enthusiastically displays the Knotts Berry Farm beverage container - which a side from being a vacation reminder - cost entirely too much money. But - the model is lovely!

Finally we find the two game winners displaying their trophies. Hurrah for them!

Knotts Berry Farm

We went on a spontaneous trip to KNOTTS BERRY FARM! The kids didn't even know where we were headed only that we were going to a "farm".

The kids wanted to play a few games - and who knew that #2 was a master at Whack a Mole!

He won a big blue monkey - he was ecstatic!

You can see blue legs dangling down from the next photo - those blue monkey legs.

Next #1 was the big winner at

"shoot at the target and get to the #10 first and you win game". He won twice and was able to up grade to this lovely skeleton bear thing.

We don't play those games - ever - so it was quite a big deal for those two winners.

Here's the crew - Enjoying a Knotts Berry Farm Day!

I could rattle off who they are but since they are assigned to #s on this blog it's really not necessary.

But - Here is the Dad with #s 1-6

We're waiting in line for the Coal Mining ride - Man - what good looking kids if I do say so myself. As a mother - I reserve that right to blog boast.

OH - #1and #2 brave the Supreme Scream with their father. Do you

see those bright smiling faces? Yes, well that is because this is a before picture.