Thank you dear mother in law, you are the best

let me just start by saying that I love being with my kids very much, I start to miss them even if I'm only going somewhere for a little bit which is probably a sign that I should get out more. I never really take much time for myself but I figured it was about time, and thanks to Billy's wonderful mother who happily cared for my children all day long I had a wonderful day all to myself, I got my hair cut ( yes a real haircut and it's styled something I've never in my life had done it's always been long and just there so this time I went for something different and cut it short, not very short to my shoulders but short for me), I went clothes shopping and was able to take my time and try on lots and lots of clothes (the last time I bought myself new clothes was my birthday last summer so it was well needed) and I actually got some really nice things that are flattering to my not so thin body, and then I went to my cake decorating class knowing my kids were in good hands and having fun so I can enjoy my time for myself. I always joke that as soon as we can afford it we are getting a live in nanny so I can go to the store and cook dinner and take a shower and maybe even go to the bathroom without little ones at my feet begging for food, or break dancing in the isles of the grocery store, or waiting at the door looking under it saying " I can still see you he he he", but then again if I had a live in nanny spending a day shopping without the kids wouldn't seem so nice. I might even do it again next month, I was a little worried about Holden being out of school for the next two months and keeping him busy but now I realize this is the perfect opportunity for him and Ashlynn to spend more time with their Oma and I'm pretty excited about it.

I'm a winner

Billy and I took Holden to the movies the other day and being the rebel that he is Billy bought candy at the gas station and snuck it into the theater, so being a sweet husband he got me a reeses fastbreak which happens to be my favorite, As I opened it I saw what it said inside

you're going to love this! You've won $100

lucky me I get $100

Arizona part 3

We went to this great hands on museum for kids

They got to make lava lamp things in bottles minus the lamp

There was a really cool mini grocery store

Jared was the cashier, I must say I am proud of Holden for picking all the fresh fruits and vegetables.
This is the kind of play kitchen I wish we had

Ashlynn and Jade baking something

Always the sweet uncle Zach

The coolest noodle jungle, I want to put this in my house

Kids hands on museums are always so much fun but I think this one really was the best one I've ever been too.

Overall we had such a wonderful trip and I'm so glad we had the chance to go, thanks Doug and Carrie.

Arizona part 2

Good food and funny faces

Carrie is a great cook not only did she cook dinner for all of us almost every night she also made a great picnic for us the day we went home so the kids could play outside one last time before the treacherous ride home. I think that any time you try to take some one's (the boys) picture while they are eating they automatically make funny faces.

typical Dassler boy

Doug and Jade enjoying Carrie's delicious sandwiches

Ashlynn enjoying the delicious ranch dip (not the celery)

poor uncle Zach always getting picked on.

poor boys always getting picked on by uncle Zach

it's always fun to go out to dinner as a family (thank you Doug) especially when the kids are all there too, there was a lot of laughing and giggling.

Arizona Part 1

My sister in law Carrie invited us to come for a visit in Arizona and since it was a long weekend for Holden it was the perfect time to go. We had such a great time and all the kids had a blast they stayed up late and got up early, poor Zach he was sleeping on the couch. We did a lot of fun things but there are too many cute pictures to put in one, so it will have to be 3 part post.

one of the days we went to one of the great parks they have in Anthem

Ashlynn swinging with Aunt Carrie

Jared teaching Holden to hang upside down

she loves to hang on these and swing across like the big kids, she's really good at it too

and then she likes to drop for me to catch her

It was such a great day it wasn't too hot because it had rained the night before and Carrie and I even played, Holden insisted I couldn't go on the zip line thing or climb the rock wall to get to the big slide so I had to prove him wrong and all the kids thought it was hilarious I'm not sure what was so funny about it but at least they have some great memories of our trip.

Count your blessings

count them one by one

even the inappropriate in public ones

The ones who steal your ice cream

The ones who tripple your grocery bill

The ones who tag along on mom and dad's get aways

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings—

wealth can never buyYour reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be discouraged, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

It gets better every year

Mother's Day that is

Why did the wife cross the road? Who cares, why was she out of the kitchen and where did she get those shoes!

What every mom needs, an oven!!!!

Holden made me this at school

Mother's day was sweet this year Holden and Billy were equally excited for me to get out of bed that morning, they tricked me by saying there were pancakes waiting for me even though I knew there weren't any pancakes I figured I should go see what they were so excited about, it was a good day even without the pancakes. And I love my toaster oven.