"From the North and From the South"

This weekend was another Young Marine camp out. This was a special one because Ella made Private. We are very proud of all the hard work and studying she has done to earn it. Anna is Private First Class and Logan is Lance Corporal. Soren got to go on the trip, so he may as well be Mater Gunnery Sergeant. He think he knows everything there is to know about being a Marine. He eats, breaths and sleeps Marines.
The kids got to do some shooting. Logan had a hard time because of his hurt thumb on his right hand. Soren could hardly sleep the night before he left because he was so excited about using a real gun. The girls did awesome at their shooting practice.
It was a tuff weekend for camping. I swear the wind was about 70 miles an hour. The girls tent blew over once. They all came home sunburned despite putting sunscreen on.
Olivia had a very hard time being alone with just me. Wait, I had that backwards. I had a hard time. I played barbies for hours, read about 200 books, played blocks and colored a lot of pictures. I am so used to having playing companions for her. It was especially tuff not having the girls around. I depend on them a great deal when it comes to Olivia. It was actually nice to spend some quality time with my Baby.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

The Young Marine has been a wonderful program for the kids (and Troy). They have learned discipline and to respect others. This is the Young Marines Obligation.

From this day forward, I sincerely promise, I will set am example for all other youth to follow, and I shall never do anything that would bring disgrace or dishonor upon my God, my Country, and its flog, my parents, myself, or the Young Marines. These I will honor and respect in a manner that reflect credit upon them and myself. Semper Fidelis.

I need my Mr. Darcy fix.

Every few months I need to sit down with a nice cup of tea and watch Pride and Prejudice.
Of course it is the one with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle.

The housework doesn't get done, but every once in a while I just need to "pretend".

What color are your fingers?

The kids dyed Easter eggs and made a huge mess. We are not at all shocked. I guess that is just part of being a kid, turning your fingers different colors of the rainbow. Logan was helping pas the Sacrament at a nursing home, so he wasn't around to help. It was amazing how quiet it was. Just joking Logan.

Easter Flowers

I found a Milk Glass flower vase at Savers. So excited! Troy just laughs at me that I get so happy over something so simple. I thought it was quite a find. The Flowers are from Sun Flower Market. That is where I get most of my produce. They have huge bouquets of flowers there for really cheap. So, something from a thrift store and a bunch of flowers made my weekend.

There is Sunshine in our Home.

Today we painted the family room and dining room a golden yellow. It was all by accident. We had started out spakling the walls to fill in some dents the kids had made. When we started to spot paint the patches we had the wrong paint. The color we used on the wall originally was all out. So we HAD to paint a new color. I have wanted to go yellow for a long time now. I am so excited it is finally done. It brightens the whole mood of the house. Even if we have a gray day outside, I will still have sunshine on the inside. Love it!

You sit on the floor!

Last night Troy was watching a movie with the kids in the living room. I walked in and had to laugh. All the kids were on the floor and the 2 dogs were on the couch. Curly is getting old and grumpy. He has been getting up on the couch a lot and sleeping for hours. We thought the picture was pretty funny!