Bring on the Tissue!!!

Yes I'm blogging at 1:00 in the morning, I'm getting things done before we leave on our trip and really wanted to post about the night I had so I can encourage some of you to go out and see 1856: The Musical!!! It is playing at the Mesa Arts Theater June 28-July 3rd. It is a wonderful play about the pioneers crossing the plains. It was such a great spiritual booster and everyone can use that right!!  I went with 2 friends from my ward and what made the play extra special is my close friends the Porters were apart of it. Eden this little cutie, plays Ester the youngest of one of the families. I'm so lucky to also be her Sunbeam teacher and loved watching her in perform, she was amazing.  Well Thank you Porters, Rogers and everyone else in the play, the spirit was so strong and I'm so grateful for our pioneer ancestors.

Candice, Eden, Amanda, Me, Wendy

Wendy, Candice, Me anxiously awaiting for the play to start!!

It wouldn't be a girls night without food right. So we stopped by Mangos just down the street for some yummy food before the play. Thanks you 2 for introducing me to this place. I must go back!!

Fun Activites

I'm leaving for Cali early Sunday morning and will be back Thursday.  I will then start posting a few fun craft projects to do with your kiddos. 

Beatin' the Heat

So for the past few summers I have done a preschool summer camp but wasn't as motivated this year. I have some way cute summer activities: under the sea, fourth of July, watermelons etc. So of course Ryker is not that interested yet in my projects but he does love to paint and cut.  

It is worth the 5 mins of cleaning when he will sit and cut for 30 or more mins. No joke.  Yes I thought I would just let him get use to cutting. A great tip for all your soon to be preschoolers. Cutting takes lots of practice, first let them cut whatever, so they get use to the opening and shutting and holding the paper. Then drawn a thick line and tell them to try and stay on the line. When they master that move on to wavy lines, curvy lines etc.  They will be cutting like pros in no time. (well it does take a few weeks) =)  

If anyone has bored kids I have LOTS of summer crafts.  If anyone is interested I'm willing to post some ideas.  Or you can just come on over =)

Udall Girls Gone Wild!!!

It is going to be my Grandma Ann's Birthday at the end of the month so my crazy Aunt Sharon put together a night for all the girls to come celebrate. We went to Mi Amigos for dinner, yummy and then we went to my Grandmas house for some games and dessert!!  I had so much fun being with my fam and feel so blessed to have a wonderful Grandma who is a great example to me!! Happy birthday Granny Annie!!!

So almost everyone was here, my Grandma of course, the 5 aunts, 8 married gals (so some married into this crazy family) and 6 hot single girls!!  We were missing 3 of the 23 girls, Natalie and Stephanie just had baby boys (congrats)!!!

What a good sport!! She looks really good in that hat!!

My twins!! I love these girls and on a sad note (ok Steph I'm starting to cry right now as I type this) Stephanie is leaving us all for 3 years while her hubby attends dental school in Buffalo, NY.   Travis I know you are reading this and I'm not THAT mad at you but of all the dental schools, they had to get the furthest one away.  It will be a great experience for them and the time will fly by right??? It better!!!

"Shining Moon Mania" reunited - wait I should be in the middle because I'm the bossy lead singer!! =)   

Finally Summer

She looks like a frog. She is going to kill me when she is older for taking these pictures.

I had to force a kicking and screaming boy to go down a fun water slide. Once we did it he wanted to do it again!! 

Look at that face.

WHEEEEEEEE

See not so bad after all.

Not that I'm complaining but for being June it hasn't been that hot so the pools have been to cold for me still. But today my cousin invited me over to her parents for a swim. They have a fun pool with a water slide.  But before we get to the swimming part let me say sorry to Shelley and my Aunt Sharon again for being a ding-bat. I get there at it is past Amelias eating time and I go to get the bottle and formula out and I left it at home so, no biggie I can run to the store really quick. Go to grab my wallet, can't find that either!!! Poor Shelley had to take me to the store and buy me formula while my aunt watched my kids!! I caused to much trouble so I'm sure they will not want us back anytime soon!!

Sista Friends

 I know some people would never go back to Highschool if they had the chance but I would!! Thanks to some amazing friends I had a blast.  So 5 of us still live here in Gilbert/ Mesa and 3 have ventured out of sunny Arizona. We of course have to get together when one comes to town and Megann came for a visit.  We all meet up at Alissa's house and with 11 children and 5 moms it was a zoo!

So I love this picture, Laniey screaming, Hunter covering his ears, Grace with a major sad face but brother being sweet to her. Oh so many fun personalities. 

Top:Libby, Ashlynn, Weston, Cameron, Brynly, Brennen, Grace, Lainey

Bottom: Amelia, Ryker, Hunter

Here are the hot mamas to blame for the craziness:

Leah, Natalie (holding Cameron), Lindsay, Alissa (Weston), Megan and her 2 cute girls Libby and Laniey.

We wish Morgan, Heather and Rhona could have been there as well. Morgan has a little boy and a PG with a girl and Heather has a little girl and PG with a boy so soon their will be 15 kids between all of us!!  We can't wait till our hubbies make us tons of money and we will have one big girls weekend in New York City!! =)  

Splash Pad

The other day I went to a "splash pad" in Chandler with a friend and her 2 girlies. When we first got their is was a little crowded but about an hour later everyone left for lunch or something so the kids had the place to themselves. It took Ryker a little while to get out their but they had a fun time. It was a little windy that day and of course I was wearing a skirt so I should say sorry to anyone I might have flashed.

Off they go!!

3 Little Monkeys

Amelia was a good girl, she is my little chunkster. Look at those cheeks, yes I kiss on them all day long and squeeze them a few times too. Oh and she is very confident even with her thunder thighs.

FHE

Monday night for FHE we talked about the first vision and Joseph Smith. We ended with Ryker doing this little project and I hung it on the fridge to remind him through the week. I just asked him:

mom: Ryker who is that?

Ryker: Joseph Smith

m: What is he doing?

r: saying a prayer

m: to who?

r: Jesus and..........

m: Heavenly Father

r: yeah

m: what is he asking them?

r:  thank you

m: what else?

r: which church is my turn

m: yeah, which church should I go to.

r:  the big church

It is so fun now that he is understanding more and can remember more things. I don't know where  he got the "big church" from, he must think we go to a big church =)  

Youngest Fire Fighter

We had a pretty low key Memorial Day. Shaun had the day off and spent the morning mowing the yard and editing videos, so by 2:00 in the afternoon it was time to have a little family fun. Ryker wanted to go swimming so we thought we would go swimming at his parents but both boys were to cold and only got in to their knees, what wimps =)  So since Pa (Doug, Shauns day) was on duty we thought we would take Ryker to see where he works. He has never been before. He was in heaven, lots of big fire trucks and fun stuff.

Captain Ryker Martineau at the wheel.

Ryker and Pa  in front of a huge fire truck!

All geared up and ready to save some lives.

This is an old fire truck they still use for parades and stuff.

Pa even took it out for a spin around the block. Ryker didn't like when Pa ran the bell, to loud.

USA Blocks

Ok here is the last set of blocks you can order. You can pay $16 dollars for the kit which includes: wood, vinyl, paper and embellishments. You will need to buy your own paint. Or I will make it for you for $20 dollars. I will need to have the money before I place the order which will be May 31st.  

Happy 3rd Birthday Ryker!!!!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ryker!!!  I can't believe I have a 3rd yr old. Ryker is such a fun little guy, yes as you all know he will be the death of me but none the less, he can flash the big gappy smile my way and he melts my heart.  He just gets more funny as the days go on.  I love  him so much and couldn't imagine life without him.

His Nana made him this huge cupcake cake!!! We asked him what kind of cake he wanted and he keep saying "a green one". So he got one!!  He couldn't wait to blow the candles out.

Ryker LOVES Buzz Lightyear and Go Deigo. Well he has tons of Buzz toys and saw this Zurg guy in the store (he is Buzz Lightyears enemy)  and wanted him so bad.  So he got the villan in the movie, that is Ryker alright.

Nana and Pa got him a new bike.

Ryker at Disneyland- 2 1/2  yrs old 

Ryker plaing in the sand at the beach- 2 yrs old 

 July 4th

Ryker had to sleep with his chicken or "Bak Bak" as he called it- 18 months

Ryker starting to crawl- 9 months old   

Ryker 6 months old

Summer Blocks

I just finished my Summer blocks, I love them!! I love the bright colors!! After this I will be doing USA blocks then DONE!!!! Well not done with crafts but I have make blocks for every month =)  I know most of you are just thinking I'm a dork, well I am!!  Yes I get obsessed with things and have to do them. I just found a new obsession and will post later!!

This is my May blocks!! 

Splash of Summer

Amelia is ready for summer in her "Chiquita" outfit. Shaun asked where is all fruit.

My sweet friend Kristen gave Amelia these way cute dress and made her a matching bow. She wore it to church Sunday and Kristen wasn't there to see her, so I thought I would show pictures.

Ohhhh, sibling love!!!

I finally caught her smiling big in her new chair thing. I know it looks like a fake bumbo but it grows with the child, you can add a tray with fun things to play with on it and when she is older you can take out the yellow part and it is a booster seat.  She loves sitting up and looking all around.

FIVE

So my fun friend Amanda tagged me, and I know I just did a tidbit post but here is a short fun one.

1-  5 places I go to over and over:   My parents for preschool, my in-laws, Neighborhood Wal-Mart (I'm always needing something really quick),  park, my office (I'm always needing to do something for preschool)

2- 5 people who email me regularly:  Julie R.,  My girls (Nat, Alissa, Meg are the best) and O'Riellys newsletter

3- 5 favorite places to eat: Pei Wei, Red Robin, Cheesecake Factory, Dairy Queen and Cafe Rio

4- 5 places I would rather be:   on a houseboat,  San Jaun Island in Washington State, New York,  spa resort and scrapbook store

5-  5 T.V shows I watch all the time: The Office, American Idol, Lost, The O'Rielly Factor and Go Deigo Go (not my choice though)

Ok now I need to tag 5 people, I think Shelley, Alissa, Nat and Meg would do it and I'll tag Kristen A. because she needs to update her blog =)

I should be doing more important things!!!

So a few of you did a cute post telling new tidbits about themselves and I loved reading everyone else so I thought I would do my own.  So lets see who know me the best, or maybe you will all learn a little something new. I know your so excited right?

*I love Crafts (ok that was an easy one, everyone knows that about me)

*I still bite my finger nails, I'm sure I'll never kick that nasty habit.

*I'm deathly afraid of anything small and fuzzy!!! Mice, squirrels, rabbits etc..  Holy cow I'm getting the chills just thinking about them.

*If I found a magic lamp and had 3 wishes my first wish would be, not to have all the money in the world or for peace on earth,  but to have the BEST singing voice in the world. I can't carry a tune so I'm very jealous of all you good singers.  Which brings me to my next point.

* I love to sing in the car.  It is best by myself but now that I have 2 little ones, I still try and sing but Ryker says "mom no more singing" =(

*I don't like reading. I've probably read 5 chapter books my whole adult life. Yes sad but my mind wonders. Oh and I don't like many movies. I go to the theaters maybe once a year. Poor Shaun has to go with his dad.

*I love perfume!! I don't have as many as I use to,  but in highschool I had like 20 different kinds. I need to buy some more, I only have 5 or 6 bottles now =(

*Hate ALL seafood ... Barf

*My favorite music is from the 80's and Boy Bands!!  Where have all the boy bands gone? I guess the grew up and aren't boys anymore. I'm waiting for the new crops to comes in. I also will always love country music!!

*My favorite thing to do as a kid was build forts.  During the summer my mom didn't care if we had forts up all the time so we made this massive one in my brothers room and slept in it for days!!! 

*One thing I hope to do in my lifetime is ride really fast across a swamp on those boat things with the big fans in the back. I have no idea what they are called but I know I want a ride.

 

Well I'm tired of thinking of things hopefully you got a little more insight to why I'm the way I am. =)

Amelia's Blessing Day

Shaun gave Amelia a wonderful baby blessing.

Ryker said this was baby sisters white princess dress 

(he hangs around to many girls in our ward)

My fam  =)    Yes I know my legs are as white as the guys white shirts!!  Give me a break it is only April. 

Shaun fam, awww no legs showing!!! Much better.

4 generation picture. My Grandma Ann, my mom, me and Amelia. Thank you Grandma for the beautiful blessing dress you got for her!! 

Random Pictures

My baby girl is growing so fast. She is almost 8 weeks old now. She is starting to smile more and I took like 10 pictures and still couldn't snap the camera in time to capture it.  She is still such a great baby and we love the sweetness she brings into our home!!! 

Ok so a few weeks ago my sister thought it would be funny to put mascara on his lashes.  Yes I'll admit I have always wondered myself what he would look like, but I knew Shaun would kill me. Honestly his lashes are better without mascara!!! I know I hate it to and it is not fair, but the mascara just made them goopy and they didn't look as full.  So now that is out of our system hopefully we didn't turn him into a cross-dresser and he will forget she even did that to him.  Oh and the chocolate mustache just completes the whole look =)

If any of you hang around Ryker,  you know he has these crazy eyebrows and can give some nasty looks. This is a mild look!!