Sweet and Innocent...Sometimes

It's no secret I have had a hard time with my kids lately. Like really hard. Like I called Luke crying yesterday. It was bad, I promise. I get a little jealous when I read other mom's blogs who say they don't want their kids to grow up. What is wrong with me? Why can't I feel like that more often? Then I saw this yesterday

How sweet and innocent do they look? They deserve to have a mother with more patience and understanding. One of my favorite times of the day is sneaking into their room at night to give them one last kiss. There is no fighting going on or talking back. Just them sleeping so soundly. Noah is a handful and I love when he falls asleep in the car for his nap. I love scooping him up and kissing those big lips that are always open(even when he sleeps). I need to remember more often that they aren't going to be little forever. I need to learn to cherish these moments more.

BBH Reunites!

We decided to get the old BBH gang together again for a little party. Unfortunately both of them Emily's couldn't make it. It definitely wasn't the same without them. So our closest option was blowing up their heads and putting them on a stick. We started our night off by going to Cheesecake Factory. In high school we went to the restaurant Chilis all the time. There were many times when we almost got kicked out because we were being a little too loud. There are a few of us who have some LOUD laughs. It was the same at Cheesecake. We laughed so hard. It has been a long time since I have laughed this much.

Just showing you girls how much you were missed. After dinner we drove around and listened to songs we used to always listen to in high school. I made everyone a CD to take home with them. We busted out to Beastie Boys,Spice Girls,No Doubt, Janet Jackson and few others that should remain nameless because I was shocked that we actually listen to some of those songs. I have to say that was the funnest part. It brought  back a lot of old memories to us cruising down the strip and being crazy. We then went to the store to stock up on junk food. We made Alicia do her "LaTara" dance in the grocery store. It was awesome.

 

Then we went back to the room and cuddled with each other. Okay we really didn't, but we definitely had a lot of fun in the room. We danced, and laughed so hard that I probably peed my pants. I am so not a late person but this was totally worth it staying up until 2 am.

We slept in and then got ready for breakfast.

After breakfast Jenny and Natalie had to leave. So the rest of us went to get a pedicure and lunch.

I love these girls. Most of us don't talk all the time but when we get together we have so much fun. I have so many fond memories of being with these girls. They definitely made my Jr. High and High school days great.

Fireworks,Food,& Fun!

This 4th of July we decided to stay put. We live in a great culdesac with a lot of kids. Right next to our house is a park and you have a great view of the Henderson fireworks. I loved not having to leave my front yard. Of course I had to get my kids all festive. Don't they look SUPER excited. Sooner than later Nick is going to tell me he isn't going to do these silly holiday shirts and for sure won't do these awesome head bands I found in the $ section at Target. He face says it all.

Sammy on the other hand loved every second of it. This pose is awesome. 

My younger sister Amy was in town with her little girl Daphne. This is what we got when we asked them to say cheese. Noah was being a turd and wouldn't let me take any pictures of him.

Like always Sammy adores her little cousin. Can't say Daphne liked being followed around everywhere. You can definitely tell she is the only child.

Sammy also thinks my sister Amy is pretty cool. She loves when her aunts come into town.

Don't worry I got in on the action too. Nick insisted that he take a picture and I think it turned out pretty cute.

While we were waiting for the big firework show we did our own little thing. Luke was the master at lighting the sparklers. He had about 20 kids surrounding him. I love how great he is with kids. I would have yelled at them and told them to wait patiently in a line. Annnnnnd that's why my kids like Luke better

Daphne chilling with her glow sticks

Noah was scared of the sparklers. So of course me being the wonderful mother I am, I helped him overcome his fears.

Nick and Evan, his buddy that lives down the street.

Now, loud fireworks and staying up WAY past bedtime makes you a little crazy. Parker and Sammy look a little wired.

And Noah was still clinging onto me for dear life

I love the Fourth of July. It's a great excuse to eat, be loud, and stay up past bedtime. I love our country we live in. Life is good.

Lucky Them

 My kids are lucky enough to have awesome grandparents on both sides. My parents aren't the kind of grandparents who want to babysit all the time. They are the kind of grandparents who loved to take the kids on trips, or come to all of the kids sporting/dancing events. My dad loves to play a game of baseball with them or my mom loves to come take a kid away for a day and have a little date. A couple weeks ago my parents took Nicholas and Sammy to San Diego. They kids had so much fun. They were gone for 4 days and I know Nick could have stayed longer and I am pretty sure Sammy was ready to come home.

They went to the beach the first day and pretended like they were surfing.

 Sammy loves the beach. She is my little fish.

 Then they went to Lego land, my kids loved it there. We have never taken them before so this was all new to them. Of course Sammy had to pose by the mom with the baby.

 On the way home they stop by the temple to take a picture.

 Then they hit up the Mormon Battalion center. I have heard this place is great and the kids love it too.

 I think they were learning how to wash clothes

 Then searched for gold? Yeah I'm pretty sure that's what they are doing.

 Ready for awkward smiles? Here you go!

The kids loved just being with grandma and grandpa. Thanks for everything Mom and Dad! Next month they will be taking Parker and his cousin Jack. Now that should be pretty interesting.....

Double Trouble

 These 2 cousins are 12 days apart. My sister in law and I decided it would be fun to do a combined party for them. Us(and my mom) had been collecting pirate things all year. We got some great things and I think it turned out perfect. The boys loved it.

Parker is always playing the part.

 All the pirates ready for attack

 Jack and Parker trying to blow out the candles but the wind wasn't letting that happen

 Waiting for pin the parrot on the pirate game. I think most of them cheated .

 There were Billy Boob teeth in the party bags. My family had a little too much fun with them. Luke was laughing so hard so he looks very "special" in most of the pictures.

Lund Reunion 2011

Recipe For a Successful and Chaotic Family Reunion

-14 adults
-20 grandchildren(18 of those 8 and under)
-1 big house
-2 swimming pools
-all the junk food you want
-late night games
-tired and sleep deprived children
-sunburns
-hiking
-movies

Mix those all together and you have some serious CHAOTIC FUN!

In June we had our annual Lund Family Reunion. We always get together every year but every 2 to 3 years we try to do something different. This year we rented a big house in St. George. It was perfect! It was big enough that we weren't on top on each other all the time. The kids and adults had a blast. I love watching my kids make memories with their cousins. They are so lucky!

We of course had to take an updated family photo for the Christmas card my in laws send out. Then we tried to get the kids to stay put for a cousin photo. That didn't workout too well.
And why not grab a shot of all the Lund Siblings? I love how Katie is laughing in this one. I'm sure one of the brothers said something nasty.
And while we were at it we got a shot of the hottest sister in laws around. I have said it before but I love being around these ladies. We have a ton of fun and get along.
Don't forget a quick family photo.
The kids had fun watching TV with grandpa
We did A LOT of swimming. I tried to get this one in the water but he hated it. Here is a picture just in case you don't believe me
Instead he liked being around his cousin Bronson(these 2 are 3 months apart)
Parker loved swimming and being with his cousin Zack
Nick was a fish and also loved being around his cousins. Here he is with Preston.
Sammy was the biggest fish of all.
Even my whitey of a husband got in the pool. He loves his brother Jason. Whities stick together.
Sammy and and I had a little mommy/daughter date. We went to Tuachan to see The Little Mermaid. It was Sammy's first play and she loved it. I think this could be something we do more often. She was so into it and had so many questions.

Sammy also loved being with her girl cousins. Yes her cousins are tall.
Parker was in heaven hanging out with his cousins Max and Zack.
We also did a little hiking. Noah of course hated being in the carrier.
The kids loved getting dirty.

The last night we let all the cousins(what was left of them, some went home a day early) sleep in the same room. That was a little crazy but look at how happy they were.
I am so lucky to have great in laws and that my kids have such fun relationships with their cousins. It was fun and my kids were so bored the first week we got home. They are already talking about next year. It was fun,crazy,loud, but most of all memorable.