Memorial Day 2008 . . . .

We thank you and honor you, all whom have served and are currently serving our country. Paytons paternal grandparents, great grandpa, his dad & Uncle John all have served. His Uncle Jeff is currently serving in Afghanistan and our prayers are with him.

My best friends husband's service has carried their young family all around the globe. . . . and he is currently working at the Pentagon. Their service & commitment to our country even had them in the midst of Hurricane Katrina at one point. We thank you for all you endure, all while protecting our freedoms.

Of course Alan & I prefer peace and no warbut we will always support out troops and be grateful. God Bless all of you with much love!

Roslyn Mud Bowl - Bye bye Lake

We drove around to the backside of Roslyn Lake to the bank where we have enjoyed watching Sandy's 4th of July fireworks all to ourselves shoot up over the trees - the bright colors reflecting & dancing on the lake waters. No fireworks today. No geese. No ducks. No boaters.

No water.

A couple of 4 wheelin' rigs and a motorcycle out in the center of the once filled lake.

The kids enjoyed the free "Monster Truck Show" but were all bummed to see the lake gone.

Alan grabbed a pretty rock from the lake's bottom for our family to keep in a garden. We call it our Roslyn Rock.

We had not expected the lake to stink but it did. We all theorized what we thought was making it smell - the old duck doo? Decaying fish beneath the sand? Or?? Then Alan found them . . . . TONS of dead crawdads all around the perimeter of the lake. The kids were curious what they looked like - so Alan showed them one. Nolan's face says it all here. Sad. Smelly. I think it's cute how "baby" Nolan was protecting big brother Elijah by holding his arm back.

We jokingly asked the kids, once they were buckled in their seats if they wanted to go 4 wheelin' thru the lake. I applied a little metal to the pedal for effect. Darla & Elijah screamed NOOOOO! But Nolan? YES!!!!

Class of 2008

Papa, Mama, Darla, & Nolan all got to attend Elijah's preschool graduation ceremony on Monday. Payton had other commitments but got to watch the DVD his teacher provided.

Mrs Sapp was Darla's preschool teacher the 1st year this school opened, this past year she has been Elijah's, and next year will be Nolan's teacher. She is an incredible Christian woman! We love her!

Elijah attended preschool twice a week - 3 hrs a day. His class size was awesome - only 7 students. His final report card had him meeting all benchmarks/goals. WAY TO GO Elijah! So Nolan & Elijah are both officially on "Summer Vacation". . . . Payton & Darla follow suit in 3 weeks.

Odd Jobs? Call Payton

Payton has decided as opposed to working at one of the restaurants up here in Welches, him and his Best Friend prefer doing odd jobs for community members. Yesterday they had a job pressure washing a sweet lady's driveway, wead eating, and general landscape/cleanup of her yard. They did a great job and dont charge a leg & an arm. They also have lots of experience house & pet sitting. Both boys are very responsible. Do you need a Payton-For-Hire?

Bring On The Sun

And the sprinkler in the front yard!

So happy no more snow. These kids love this warm sunshine!

In this pic below I said "You guys have fun in the sprinkler - just dont get wet!"

The camera captured their confusion I'd say.

My Mama's Day

Nice dinner at Tollgate in Sandy. Honestly wanted to go to Calamity Janes because more casual and Alan was meeting us after work so would be in his hard workin' man apparel. . . . but they were packed - so Tollgate it was. Mission accomplished: I got a night off from cooking.

Thoughtful husband bought me a card full of coupons good for all sorts of treats like "I will cook dinner for you & the kids this night" etc., He is a sweeite. Alan also gave me season 3 of Little House On The Prairie DVD collection. (Our whole family loves these shows).

Darla made me a tear jerker of a book - awesome illustrations and sweet words. Cracked me up tho. Things like "My mom is so nice when she helps me clean my room." She knows how to work it. I think it was the next day she was asking if I could help her organize her room.

So now onto the sons-oh-mine . . . . . the 3 boys blew me away with their suprise. Day before Mothers Day Darla & I were gone at her eye exam, Alan was at work for a few hours, and Payton agreed to babysit (for twenty bucks of course) his two younger brothers. Well quite honestly I had expected to come home to a few extra dirty dishes, some misplaced socks, scattered toys, and way too many throw pillows thrown around the floor instead of the sofas. This is normal. The boys would be happy - I knew this. They love hanging out with their "cool" big brother Payton. They probably convinced him to let them play a driving video game a few dozen times, and would be anxious to play outside once Mama was home. Well wrong on all accounts. Boy was I wrong.
Darla & I arrived home to a house in the same cleanish condition and all 3 boys were excited to tell me they had been making me an awesome mama's day present while we were gone. I was amazed to not see all the arts & crafts stuff strewn all over the table. I was curious. Did they get into their papa's wood working tools in the garage - no way - far too dangerous - would get in big trouble for that one. Did they sew me something? Doubtful. I would have to wait until the next day to learn what the boys had really been up to.

Mama's Day . . . . I got to sleep in. Papa handled breakfast for the kiddos. As I came downstairs the festivities began. I opened my gifts and then the boys turned the TV on and told me to WATCH their present. They made me a video. All 3 boys are performing all sorts of acts. There were numerous narratives thru-out wishing me a happy mothers day. It was so sweet and unexpected. I have to say I was most proud & grateful that Payton who has an incredible voice and is super handsome wasnt too shy to perform as well. At one point Payton is singing along to one of his favorite artists and you see Elijah & Nolan throwing something back & forth. Several times the item wizzes right in front of Paytons face - I think even hitting him once in the head but he continues unphased. Occasionally Payton ducks to avoid the flying object. Very very sweet gift. I actually told them that would be such a sweet tradition every year - to watch a home video they made. After lunch Darla had Payton record her performing on the mothers day video as well. Oh fun day. Thank you - I love my family & am so grateful.

Vision

The Eye DR. says Darla has healthy eyeballs. One is a bit far sighted & the other a bit near sighted .. . . but the great news? With her pretty lil' glasses she has 20/20 vision like her mama.

Uhhh Mom . . . you didnt warn me of the sticky honey like eye drops!!!

Short Story: At the exam it was a bit hilarious because I had forewarned her they were going to give her eye drops to dialate her eyes. I think she even asked me if they were going to give her shots or anything painful. Well I tried easing her worries by describing the eyedrops as painless like tears in her eyes. Well I had no idea that there were going to be NUMEROUS types of drops applied to her eyeballs. She kept looking at me like "Uhhh Mom!?!" Then the last drops, the DR says "Ok Darla these drops are kindof sticky like honey" and hurries & drops them in. I wish I had my camera ready for THAT reaction. But the pic above is after ALL the drops are applied & she is waiting for her eyes to complete dialating, etc., She keeps telling me "Wow everything is blurry". I kept sticking my tongue out - & asking her how many fingers I was holding up. . . anything to get the girl to giggle. "Mom, I can see you sticking your tongue out - they are not THAT blurry." When the DR came back in I said to the DR- "Ok so DR. now you just pour the small bucket of water on her eyes, right?" Darla's head jerked violently toward the DR only to see her nod "no, no, no". Hey, I giggled. End of short story.

Here is a pic of her trying on the frames she picked out.

Darla is so excited about her glasses. . . . the DR had said they may arrive today for her to come for her final fitting & get to take them home!!! BUT they hadn't arrived - she was bummed. Fingers are crossed for tomorrow.

KiNdErGaRtEn RoUnDuP '08

Adjust the tie . . .

pose for a pic or two . . .

Elijah is excited for Fall & to be going to "big boy school".

He knows he will get to hang out with his sister on recess & his neighbor buddies Noah & Liam will be in kindergarten with him. However truly the most exciting of all? . . .

The big yellow school bus!

Yep! Even beats out the new lunch box and fun lunches Mama packs. Elijah thought KiNdErGaRtEn RoUnDuP rocked because they got to take a school bus test ride.

I love you lotsa more!!!

Our "baby" loves us lotsa lotsa more!

No Rico Suave's in This Home . . .

Who needs TV when you have 4 "live" performers always eager for an audience?
Alan & I love our nightly show "The Crombie Kids". Tonight was different tho.

Elijah & Nolan both sang made-up melodies . . . .
but the lyrics were well, , , uhh, a bit concerning?!

Elijah: "If you even had a heart . . . . . If youuuuuuu even had a hearttttttttt . . . . "
(as he is staring straight at Mama for her wide eyed big grinned loving approval).

Nolan: "If you have a heart - my will break it. If you have a heart - my will break it."

Another sister getting married . . .

Congratulations to my sister Lena as she is going to be walking down the aisle on Saturday, May 17th. So happy for her & her son Lennon!

Brian, my soon-to-be new brother-n-law, has an incredible ministry in California. Check it out: http://www.jesusislord.com/

We are so sad we cannot travel out of state to be at their wedding this weekend, but definitely plan on spending a lot of time with them later this summer. Love to you all Brian, Lena, & Lennon!

Photo Contest

My sister Lena entered our new lil' nephew Drevin (Kally's son) in a photo contest. It is super easy to vote for him. Just click on this link -

http://www.simplytoimpress.com/photo-contest/3091.html

Enter your email address ---> They send you confirmation email --> just click on link to verify: done! Literally takes seconds (even on our slow computer).

If Drevin is one of the winners he will receive a $50 gift certificate for a portrait studio. Thanks for your support!!

Please Dear God . . . .

I just read that there are approximately 900 students trapped in a collapsed school building as a result of the fatal earthquake in China. How horrifying!

Dear God, I pray that these scared & suffering children are rescued swiftly Lord. I pray that these children lives are spared if it is Your Will and that you receive all the Glory for it!!!! Amen.

May 13, 2000

Eight years ago today we vowed our lives to one another. . . . for life!

And the Lord God said, "It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him." ~ Genesis 2:18

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ~ Genesis 2:24

Nolan's Night At BIG BOY School

Our school offers a program called "Lil' Steps" once every 3 months for local preschool aged children to be able to sample / get their feet wet in the school / classroom environment. They get a book to keep and a ton of other fun & educational projects to bring home. All of our kids have always loved school and it has been refreshing to see that Nolan is seeming to follow suit as well.

This night time program is a special time for Papa (Alan) to take the boys . . . since he is rarely able to join us for regular daytime school hour programs. The last "Lil' Steps" of the year was a couple nights ago . . . . Elijah had to stay home with me with a rotten cough . . . so it was just Papa & Nolan. Nolan had a wonderful time & brought home to his brother his copy of the school work. Nolan loves to call his stack of papers "homework", and loves stuffing them inside his Dr. Seuss backpack (christmas gift from Uncle Cory & Trina). So next year Elijah, who will be 6 in November, begins Kindergarden and Nolan (4 in August) will start attending the same Christian Preschool his older siblings attended. So two days a week - three hours a day I will be 100% kid-less for the 1st time in 6 years (since becoming a FT stay at home mama). Amazing! But I am such a dork - I plan to spend most of that time getting to volunteer in my kids' classrooms. It will still be a treat for me.All the kids are out of school June 10th this year. Cannot believe Summer Vacation is sneaking upon us. Sooooooooo excited!!!!

Happy Mama's Day

Well not only have Alan & I been blessed with our own Mama's, Kristi & Lori . . . but thru remarriages & extended families . . . we have been blessed also by our kids' Grandma Vickie, Grandma Elain, Grandma Kris, & Grandma Pam. Today we salute all of our mothers. May God Bless each & every one of you. We love you all.

My darling husband Alan, as a baby, on the hip of his mama Kristi.

This is the second Mother's Day since my ma-n-law's passing. Last year we honored her by planting flowers around the base of her memorial tree. This year we plan to plant a beautiful perrenial in honor of her in one of our front gardens.

Here is a picture of my mama Lori.

We dont get to see her as often as we wish we could, but adapt as best we know how. My ma is quite a beauty, like my ma-n-law. These women had a lot in common actually. . . both were proud stay at home mama's of five kids. They both had their five kids born within 10 years from oldest to youngest as well. Alan's family grew up just miles from my childhood home. We both cherish our childhood memories, but at the same time can embrace the changes our families have undergone. Divorce - remarriage has made our families double in size. We are blessed.

Above all else, love one another.

Happy Mother's Day!

Dutchess Darla attends Royal Tea Party

Darla's presence was requested by her friend Queen Keturah. She was thrilled to attend!

Dressed in her Sunday Best, she waited for the Royal Chauffeur to arrive and pick her up.

The royals partaked in tea and enjoyed their newly found british accents.

Rocks Paper Scissors: Old Fashioned Fun

Our 2 youngest "duel" and I spy.

The rules: Rocks crush scissors - scissors cut paper - paper covers rock.

Bouncin' Boys

Elijah

&

Nolan

Airborne

In

The

Backyard