Dylan--officially a part of our family! (almost!)

Daddy with his new son Dylan!
Dylan's first day with Mommy!
Coming home!
Handsome mancub!
I just love our little Dylan!
We are just in love with our little Dylan. He is such a smiler! Dylan is sweet, loves to growl, and is so darn cute with those big, brown eyes of his. His dimples also don't hurt his cuteness! He has really been a fabulous edition to our family and we are so grateful for him! He is irresistible. He is my little bear! Here are some sweet pictures of the Dylanator!

What a Difference a Year Makes!!!

Tomorrow is Dylan's adoption! Very exciting. So, I must look where we were at a year ago--with Madison's adoption. I can't believe how the kids have grown. It's weird to look at these pictures. We lived in our old house, and life seems so different now. Different house, an extra child, and lots of changes this year! Wow, I don't know whether to be excited or scared for next year. So, anyone want to join in singing---"Memories-----" from Cats? Don't you love pictures of pictures? These were pictures my Uncle Ralph took of our family last year---he decided to give Brandon a fro and play with the rainbow background on the last picture! I guess we are a colorful family! See, I am still as corny as I was last year!

Our baby Madison; how I had longed for a baby girl--I love how precious she looked in her blessing dress!

Life without Dylan---I can't even imagine that. It seems like four years ago!

Baby Benj; wow, he has really grown up this year!

Benj has lost his baby look! Good thing we have two other babies!
A colorful family!

(To make sense of the next 3 postings, you have to start at the bottom and read upward. Yes, I am very technology unsavvy and clearly struggle with English also! Bear with me!)

More "After"

So, then I realized I needed a hutch for the kitchen. So, we found one on Craig's List for $40. All it needed was some black paint. It looks great with our black speckled countertops! That same lady on Craig's List was selling an end table for $5 so we grabbed that too. This hutch; along with the buffet, are my favorites! $40 was never better spent!
The hutch
The end table

More "After"

So, while at D.I. getting the Buffet, I also happened upon a great drawer and shelf unit for the guest bedroom. Now that I have the desk, it needs some shelving. Ever find out that buying more means you need to buy more? Yeah--that's what happens. You can't leave a room half naked! So, here is the shelving unit. I know the decor needs some help--I am just starting to figure out what it needs. Again, with the black, you cannot see the detail--but didn't Brandon do great? It was a gloomy brown color!

The "After"

OK, I didn't think to take the "before" pictures of our multiple furniture projects; but I did take the "after" pictures. Brandon worked so hard this week to do all this. As you can see I am going through a black phase. It may be hard to see some of the details as it is so dark---but I am sooooooo pleased with the results! I so owe Brandon! Anyway, I just have to tell you of the deals I got---as that is half the fun for me! I had bought a bunch of furniture at IKEA---and after this week, we returned most of it yesterday! This option ended up being a lot less expensive, even though IKEA has great prices! So, it started last weekend when I got this desk/hutch combo and shelving unit for $50. at a garage sale! Who could resist that for both peices; in perfect shapeSo, after placing those in my living room and guest rooms, I realized I needed a buffet table for my formal dining room. So, of course, I had to check out D.I. where I found this buffet for $35. I definately had to have the vision of it as it was orange--and Brandon found yellow and green paint layers also as he sanded and painted this black. The details on this are great, but hard to see with the black paint. The frame overhead was also painted and will hold something nice---as soon as I find it!





So, after placing those in my living room and guest rooms, I realized I needed a buffet table for my formal dining room. So, of course, I had to check out D.I. where I found this buffet for $35. I definately had to have the vision of it as it was orange--and Brandon found yellow and green paint layers also as he sanded and painted this black. The details on this are great, but hard to see with the black paint. The frame overhead was also painted and will hold something nice---as soon as I find it!
!.
Some of the inner character of the buffet!

See? This piece is oozing with character!

Our Working Vacation!

Due to the Monday holiday and Brandon having this Friday off anyway (he gets every other Friday off), he decided to take off the three days in between, so we could get a much needed break! I think I now realize why people go on vacation when they have vacation time. I think as human beings, we always want to accomplish things---and so this has turned into project week at our house. I have found great furniture at garage sales and Craig's list; actually it was all pretty ugly; but with nice lines---I saw the potential! Wow, Brandon has done such a fabulous job. We just use spray paint primer and then black spray paint and a beautiful peice of furniture is created. I am amazed at the great results. You can't beat the price of this furniture---it just takes a lot of time. We also have been very busy with our yard---which I love---I absolutely love planting and I have been enjoying planting many roses, and salvia! Can there be too many roses or purple salvia? I think not; as one can tell from our yard. There also can never be too many tulips or allium. I guess I am not too discriminating when it comes to flowers. So, anyway, so much for a break or a vacation. We sure have gotten a lot done and still have a ton to do in the next couple days. Next vacation we will actually have to go somewhere to actually have a vacation.

Thanks Daniel and Diane!

Uncle Daniel and Aunt Diane were so kind and brought back gifts to the children from their trip to Disneyworld. Here are some of the gifts; as you can tell, the children love them. They brought us back great books, a Princess hat for Maddie, a football, and a Mickey Mouse onesie for Dylan (which is perfect!) Many thanks!
Don't you love the "Princess" hat?
As you can see, all the boys love the football!


Princess Maddie with her Daddy!

Many Faces of Maddie

Smiley Maddie Sue!
Maddie loves the sunglasses!
Helping Mom with the gardening!
This is one way to get a drink when you are thirsty!

IKEA Friends & Family!

Some friends; Traci and Kourtni at IKEA; what fun we had! We were there for the full four hour session we had; and then some!
Look at the meal you get for about $6; I wasn't expecting salmon at IKEA!
IKEA easel!
IKEA plant! (a score at about $17)
How dreamy; they are opening up the new IKEA in a couple days; and I got the chance to go to the Friends & Family Event yesterday thanks to my friend Katy. It was very fun; but also overwhelming. IKEA and ADHD are not the best combination I have decided. It is SOOOOOO huge. However, we did have a fabulous time and got some fun things! I had never been to IKEA so I was surprised with the quality and price of their items; and was shocked with the vast store! It took us the whole four hours to walk through! Granted, we were oohing and aahing over everything; so that also probably took some time! I was also impressed with the food in their cafeteria; who knew you could get a salmon meal for about $6 or $7? It is nice to have IKEA so close; I am sure we will be frequent visitors!!! My kids are already enjoying their new art easel and markers! I also scored at a garage sale; getting the rocking chair in the picture for $10. Can't beat that; even at IKEA!

The Two Bambi Cows

Our Wednesday adventures continue; today to Wheeler Farm! It was a perfect day for an adventure; sunny; but not too hot! The kids all had fun; there is a great tree house the kids enjoyed playing in; along with seeing all the animals. It was great; it's free and fun! Best of all, Laura and Angie (you know you are a Mom when you start talking about yourself in third person!)_ got some Mommy share fun time! Always the best. I am so slow, I thought the two baby cows were deer. I guess that's what happens when you grow up in New York, but you have to admit, the two baby cows do look like Bambi! After the farm, I had about 10 minutes after getting home, to change and get ready to go in and fill out paperwork for a new position I am taking for one night a week---my other job is ending in August; as my bosses are going to China for a year! I have loved that job, but felt lucky to have gotten an offer from an old boss from many moons ago who now works here in Salt Lake; so I will soon be embarking on a new work adventure (probably about 6 hours a week; to keep up my license!) I hope I didn't smell to bad when I got there!!!! It has been a week of running, running and more running. I am grateful for the fun times with friends that keep me hopping with joy in my step!
The Two Baby Bambi Cows!
Holy Cow!
The boys playing in the tree house!
Ethan and Benjamin playing on the tractor!
All tuckered out! (That Sprite is a special Spiderman concoction filled with a blue and red ice-pop. Amazing the special powers one recieves from drinking this frightening concoction. Do so at your own risk!)

Happy 7th Birthday Brandon!

My Sweet Baby
Brandon's response when I tease him of a girl he may have a "crush" on!
Wow! How time flies. I cannot believe my sweet little Brandon is already seven years old! His birth was such a joy and blessing in our lives! We had long awaited a little baby, and a miscarriage prior to Brandon had been daunting; making us worried about whether we would have children. It is interesting how the passage of time can change circumstances completely. Brandon was the sweetest baby, and quickly he turned into a very active, passionate, little boy. He has always been very concerned with making others happy and is very aware of his feelings and those feelings of others. He is a 100 percenter! Whatever he feels or wants to do, he puts his whole self into it and is very successful with all he does. He has always been very athletic and active and excels in sports. He also has a quick mind and has done well in piano! He has a great energy and exuberance that adds so much to our family. He is also a deep thinker and very spiritual for his age. From when he was about two, he has always been concerned with death (starting with the death of our dog Shelby) and has asked many questions about the atonement. His favorite story is Christ's death and then his return three days later. He frequently talks about resurrection; and is still very saddened with the concept of death. He has always talked about seeing our dog Shelby again, and looks so forward to that day. My parents gave him a large-type set of scriptures for his birthday. Without any discussions or prompts, he packed these two thick hard bound books into his backpack and proudly carried them to church. Last night, as I passed his room, I heard him slowly reading the verses. He then came to me and excitedly told me about his reading. Again, I was amazed, as I had not asked him to read. He has always strived to do the right thing and be a good, little boy! He was funny, he said he liked reading the scriptures, but really loves his "scripture scouts". (it's an animated story-telling of the scriptures that he listens to at night.) I think he definately can better understand scripture scouts. I am so proud of my little Brandon and love the sweet, tender, good heart he has. I know God placed him first to help set a good example for all his younger siblings. He really is my great little helper. I really appreciated him when we went to the zoo and he had one stroller, and I had another. He didn't complain ever, and went up and down all the hills at the zoo, that are quite steep and we were able to make it---without another adult, thanks to little B. He is a light in my life and I am very grateful for the gift he has been in my life! Happy Birthday Brandon!

The REAL Family Portrait!

Just so that there is the reality of the five children; rather than just keeping in memory the cute pics (which are seriously one in about thirty pics!) I thought this was so hysterical!

Some better footage of the kids (as compared to the video above!)

Brandon!
Ethan!
Benjamin!
Madison!
Dylan!

Mother's Day 2007

Me and my babies!
Me and my wonderful mother!
Maddie!
Maddie and her men!
Mommy and Maddie
What a fabulous Mother's Day. Brandon took me to Les Mis last night (as described in my last entry) and my bucket is repaired and full! Yeah! My parents were so nice to come to church with us and help with the little rascals! We then had a scrumptious dinner of steak, grilled asparagus, potatoes, grilled pineapple, and other treats! We had a very enjoyable time as a family and enjoyed eachother's company! Brandon wrote down some amusing statements the children had written about me, and they also all let me take some pics today; as that is one of my favorite things! A fabulous day! Much enjoyed!