Brandon's Birthday Party

Well, Brandon's 7th birthday party was a hit! He had a great time, and all of his friends seemed to have fun too. As you can probably tell it was a Splash Party; and they all played on the water slide! I have generally loved giving my children parties; but this year, I am clearly getting older and I feel so exhausted at the end of these parties. However, who cares, the important thing is that Brandon had a blast and got to share some fun moments with his friends!

Our Summer Vacation

Thanks Costco, for another great product!




Since we are not about to go on a "vacation" with our "party of seven" this summer; instead we decided to invest in a great water slide that will hopefully bring a lot of smiles and laughter to our backyard! We have been waiting to set it up so it could have it's debut on Brandon's birthday party. The night before, we tried it out to make sure it would be in working order the next day. This water slide is a definite hit. I am excited because even little Maddie can climb up the water slide and go down safely. I give this great waterslide a double-thumbs up! All the kids had so much fun, I am sure they will be begging to play on it everyday; which is A-OK with me!

Thanksgiving Point Adventure

Our latest Wednesday adventure was at Thanksgiving Point. We went to Farm Country; I found it most amusing that the kids had the most fun playing at the fake jail and other house; we were there probably for about an hour. They had a lot of fun! It is such a great place to take a lot of kids; as they are free to roam and they can't hurt themselves easily or get lost easily there. I am sure we will return there many times throughout this summer. I love getting to have some girl time and hang with my friend Angie!!!!

Save Paris? Are you kidding around?

I do enjoy my pop culture gossip----but, things have gotten quite ridiculous lately; as "poor" Paris Hilton has been sent to jail (starting in June) for a probation violation--her 2nd time! Anyway, she is asking her Governor for a pardon. The ultimate of selfishness and self-absorption. Yes, she was lucky enough to get probation for a DUI; and then got caught driving twice with her license suspended. Most people would be in trouble with a lost license; but Paris certainly could have hired a chauffeur. She didn't even have to get a three year probation; but she refused to do community service and take an alcohol education class. However, we must feel sorry for Paris and "free Paris" as she reported that her "publicist" (the same one John Lennon had---poor guy---what a downward spiral; imagine working with the likes of John Lennon and then end up on the payroll of Paris Hilton. That is a great tragedy of a story in and of itself!)had told her she could drive. I know that when I have millions of dollars; I often get caught taking legal advice from my publicist. Don't you hate when that happens? She actually stated this as her excuse in court; and clearly made her publicist try to take the blame for her; which he did. She then fired him for a day before rehiring him; since clearly he did her so wrong! Poor Paris! The first time she was caught while driving with license suspended, the cops made her sign a notice that she was not allowed to drive; but within a month she was caught again. She said she hadn't read what she signed. I just feel so bad for her. NOT! Anyway, I just hope that despite her appeals for help; and actual legal appeals, I am hoping she does end up in jail on June 5th. Another example of how reality is more difficult to believe than fiction at times! Needless to say, I will not be purchasing a "Save Paris" T-shirt!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My Mom!
My Mom, her man, and Benjamin!
Mom and Dylan!
Mom and the kids at Aspen Grove!
I am very grateful for my mother and all the wonderful interests and values she has instilled in me. She has passed on many of her loves and interests; especially gardening; which I definately learned from her! She did such a great job of teaching us as children, making us take piano and various classes; in hopes that we would find that which we love in life. I am very grateful for all those opportunities she gave me. Although I never excelled, I took piano, gymnastics and even took art classes! I have always valued education; as she did! She went on a mission; and I did also; as a result of her stories of her mission and the great experiences she had. On her encouragement, my brother and I spent 6 months studying in Israel; with BYU Study Abroad. She has always encouraged us to take advantage of opportunities given to us. My Mom is passionate with her interests; and I believe I also gained her passion! As a Mom, it is great to see her passing on these great qualities to my children! I am grateful for her influence in my life and that of my family. Mom, we love you so much; we are so grateful for you! We hope you have a fabulous birthday!

Adoption Date--June 1st

We are very excited; we got our adoption date for little Dylan. We will be going to court on June 1st to finalize his adoption. That should be amusing with all the children. Luckily, we are going to finalize with Judge Davis; who I love. He was the judge handling Benjamin's adoption. He was so kind and patient. He let little Brandon put on his judge robe and sit in his seat and hit the gavel. He also let Ethan try on his robe. Then he let us take many pictures. He also gave us a "poem" on adoption to scrapbook; and also gave a moment to think of the birth mother and her sacrifice in this adoption. He was so fabulous. He normally doesn't do adoptions anymore; but made an exception since the birthmom preferred to have him involved when she gave up her rights to the baby; soon after his birth. He has dealt with birth mom on many occasions and made her feel good about everything. For Maddie's adoption we were assigned a different judge. I am glad to be back with Judge Davis on this last adoption. I love having a judge who seems so considerate to the needs of all parties. One week later; on June 8th (a Friday) we will be having the sealing! We will probably have this take place in the Salt Lake or Jordan River Temple! Everyone is invited to the sealing; so just let me know if you are interested and I will send you more details once they become available. It is so nice to have a sense of closure regarding our family. We are grateful to have little Dylan sealed to our family! It probably won't be the most quiet day the temple has ever seen---with 5 kids; ages 7 and under! We are just hoping that Benjamin will not try to climb the altar this round! I have to say though, there is nothing like having all the kids enter the sealing room and having that spiritual moment where we are sealed to our baby! Like I have said; I sort of wish all children had the opportunity to be "sealed" in the temple in person; as it really is a special, cherished moment to have on this earth!

A Walk Down Memory Lane--2 years ago and 2 babies ago!

Judge Davis and Benjamin! (at Benjamin's adoption!)


Judge Davis letting Brandon play "judge"

How scary; Ethan with a gavel!
Our family didn't know of the growth we would experience in the near future!
All the babies NOW!

Best Baby Invention-5 STARS-BUMBO SEAT

I have to say; this little baby seat is the best thing ever for babies. Dylan is at the stage where he wants to sit up and see everything and everybody; but can't sit up yet on his own. He loves this little seat which supports him. We have used this so much; you can start using it at about 3 months; and even Maddie and Benjamin enjoy stealing his seat, along with his baby swing and all the rest of his baby gear. Also great, you can put it up on the counter as you are doing your tasks and not worry that the terror twins (Maddie and Benjamin) are going to "get" the baby! Anyway, I give this item a five-star rating!

Ashley's Post!

My cousin-in-law (proper terminology?), Ashley, did some picture comparisons of Brandon and Ethan---I have never thought they looked alike---but they sure do! Here is her posting; below! Her blog can be found at www.petuniabug.blogspot.com. I also enjoyed Maddie's hair intervention! I can't wait till she has REAL hair on top! The mullet is getting really old. I really am excited to use some hair accessories---but to no avail! Shouldn't hair be grown in by 18 months? I guess not in this case!

Laura- PLEASE DO NOT THINK WE'RE MEAN (we as in Karen and myself) for doing this to Maddie. It's just one of those late night spur of the moment ideas. Her hair is not perfect, obviously, but look at how much older she looks! And she looks EXACTLY like Benjamin. Maybe invest in a wig? Just kidding.

Also, we noticed if you took the 2 pictures of Ethan and Brandon and covered up their eyes and foreheads, they'd be identical. I'm sure you probably already knew that and all, but we thought it was cool.

"I was adopted before you"

I have overheard Ethan twice telling little Benjamin "I was adopted before you." I think in this family; adoption is seen as the "cool" way to come into the family. I have had to explain to Ethan a couple times that he is not adopted. I think it is funny to see how children think; and Ethan has seen three adoptions take place in a short period of time; so that is about all he knows! Watch, he will be in therapy one day telling the counselor how he wasn't adopted! I'm sure adoption can seem quite exciting as we go to court; see a judge, get all dressed up and go to the temple----for the natural-born children-----NADA; as it is all included. Sorta' makes you wish it wasn't---as going to the temple with the children is such a special; cherished moment! Life can be so funny!

Boys, Boys, and More Boys!

Brandon doing Elaine's funky chicken dance

Ethan and Brandon
Brandon, Ethan, and Benjamin
Benjamin and Brandon

Ethan on the new swings!