I really do love this child, most of the time

The other day I am sitting in the living room and I hear this crunching sound in the pantry and even though I didn't know what it was I was pretty sure I knew WHO it was.  Claire has been the thorn in my side as of late and I would love for her to visit anyone who wants her.  Her favorite thing to say to me is "Your not the boss of me", if I am not the boss of her than who the crap is? Any takers, I'll pay the airline ticket.  Warning: she doesn't go to bed,  she would rather have a spanking (yes I spank, go ahead judge me).  She is the only one of my kids that my own Mother tells me to spank, and this is coming from the women who thinks my kids can do no wrong.  The other night she poured a bottle of water on her bed, then she got on Leland's bed (who was asleep) and started jumping on it( of course waking up Leland).  Even as I type I can hear the little snot coming down the stairs for the 10th time,  1oth!!!!!!!!! HELP!!!!!  I have to say I love this little girl and she has the sweetest personality-ONLY when she wants to.  I will say it is all her Daddy's fault she is like this, these are NOT my genes and furthermore he is the one that spoils her rotten.  Thank you Babe, no really THANKS!!!!

Bed time

Claire has been impossible to put to bed lately. Anyone who knows me knows that my kids go to bed good and are very good sleepers, they always listen and are so good at bed time.  Claire on the other hand has been giving me a run for my money.  She just keeps asking questions and asking for gum ( oh, heaven help me the gum).  Tonight she wanted Ruby to sleep with her and after about 20 mins of trying to get her to go to sleep I said what the hey!  I laid Ruby next to her and within 5 mins they both were asleep.  I couldn't resist getting a snapshot of my little cuties. 

20 seconds

Today at AF Canyon Brian dared Coleman to stand in the freezing cool water for 20 sec., if he did he would give him 5 dollars.  Well for anyone who knows Coleman he loves money and was going to get that money no matter how cold the water was, I guess Brian thought he couldn't do it, but he did.  As you can see from the pictures it was killing him.  The whole time he was saying "I really want that money".

Enjoying the beauty around us!

I love loving in UT, we love being outside and enjoying all the beauty around us.  This afternoon we went in American Fork Canyon.  The kids had such a great time and we were loving the sunny weather.

Easter Sunday

I Love Easter so much, I love that it marks the beginning of spring, the new dresses, all the family time, and most of all I love what it represents.  I am so grateful for my Savior and his sacrifice for all mankind,  I love that if I follow his commandments through repentance I can be with my family forever.  I Love my family and this knowledge brings me great joy.  I hope you all had a blessed Easter.  

All 5 kids, Coleman was NOT happy about taking pictures at all!!

My favorite little girls

Chocolate bunny anyone?

My little Claire Bear

Things to know about Claire:

She always asks a lot of questions.

She LOVES LOVES LOVES gum, and doesn't want to chew alone, we all have to have a piece.

Don't cross her, she will put you in your place.

Don't cross her sisters, she is very protective.

She is a copy cat, does everything Leland does-poor girl.

Very independent

She is NOT ready to go to the movies-learned that from experience

She is very smart.

She has her Daddy wrapped around her finger, it's BAD!

To illustrate my point i will share a few stories:

We are having our kitchen painted and she is asking the guy a TON of question, at one point she said "do you like gum?" he said "yes" she asked "do you like pink gum" to which he replied "yes" this went on for purple, green, and white gum.

The other day Coleman was making fun of Leland about her speech and Claire got really mad and went up to Coleman and said " Leave my sissy alone, that not nice" then she proceeded to go to Leland and tell her " It's alright I am here" then she hugged her and patted her on the back. Coleman just looked at me and said "That's weird."

Just to cap it off ask anyone who know this little girl and they will say she is a hand full, ask her Daddy and her will say she is PERFECT.  That is why she is a hand full.  At least 3 times a day she will look at me and say "I want my Daddy" because I have put her in time out or told her no or done something else equally as horrible.  

I do love my little Claire Bear spunk and all! 

funny girl

I am potty training Claire and it has been going pretty good.  She is one of those kids that it HAS to be her idea and lucky for me she finally decided she wanted to go on the potty like a big girl.  So every time she goes potty I say "good job, I'm so proud of you" and today I was going potty and she looked at me and with all the excitement she could muster she said " good job Mommy, I so so proud of you." Pretty funny if you ask me.

There's no place like home.

This past weekend Ruby and I went on a trip to my parents in NC.  Even though I haven't lived there in a long time it was so nice to just go home. Brian stayed home and played super DAD to the rest of my kids.  My sister Stacie met us there and we scrap booked, ate, slept, shopped, and enjoyed the peace and quite.  I was amazed at how quite it is there, no one was screaming or whining, no one ever asked me for pink milk or if they could just stay up 10 more mins.  I didn't even have to check any math homework or sign a reading log. I think every mom should take a LONG time out every now and again, even if you have go to a local hotel.  It really was therapeutic, just try it I swear you'll like it!

girl time

My sweet little girls are so girlie it is crazy and consumes their every thought, "where is my lip gloss?, can I wear a dress today?, do I look pretty gorgeous today?, can I have pink gum?, paint my nails, please can we have a manicure and pedicure?" The other day I gave the little girls a spa day, as we called it, and they went nuts. They loved it so much. We did mani and pedi's, massages, and their hair ( unfortunately they want one EVERYDAY).  Ruby just laid on the floor and was asleep in no time.  She loves her thumb so much and I LOVE that she does, she never loses it and it is always there when we need it.