My Adorable Kids

Isabelle AliseAbigail Madelyn

Claire Adelaide

Zachary Evan James

I couldn't get a good picture of them all together, so I figured I would try to get a couple decent ones of them separate... taking these may have made me a little late for church on Sunday, but sometimes it's worth it. It's not often that they are all cute and clean at the same time, so I have to take advantage where I can get it... so here are my attempts at some cute closeups of my munchkins. Chris was pointing out that lately, little old people stop us (frequently) and tell us what a cute little family we have--- a bunch of little old people can't be wrong, it must be true.

Photographing Kids

For any parent who has tried to take a great picture of all their beautiful kids together- these shots are for you!! It is the MOST frustrating thing, I'm not asking for much, just one decent picture once in awhile where they are all together, looking the same way, and possibly even smiling... of course, it doesn't help when one of the subjects is an almost two year old...

Heidi's a Jungle Gym

My kids have thought I was their own personal jungle gym since they could move... and here are some pictures of a crazy night at the Maloy manor to prove it! And it's not very often that I'm actually in the family photos, so I thought I would share these great pictures that Isabelle took of our wild, and wacky ways.

Mutant Grape

Chris is always bragging about our "genetically" perfect fruit... nevermind... anyway... Claire thought it was hilarious when she found this 'freaky' grape and really wanted to share with all who would listen so I figured I would share. So here is our conjoined triplet siamese grape- I know, you're jealous... and yes, this grape was harmed when we separated the conjoined triplets.

Independence Day

For the fourth, we decided to go to our timeshare in Park City... it was great! The kids only care about the pool (supposedly it's the largest indoor/outdoor pool in Utah) and probably wouldn't even have gotten out for fireworks if we hadn't made them. But we all had a great time, and once we did pry them out of the pool, we were off in search of food. We found a grocery store across from the golf course, stocked up on picnic foods and snacks, and found a great spot amongst the crowd at the gold course adjacent to the resort where the fireworks were being shot off--- it was great! There we sat with great food, among the beautiful canyons of Park City, surrounded by families just eating and having fun--- we had to wait AWHILE for the works to begin but it was worth it and they put on a great show... it was getting cold by that point too, so there we all were using Chris as a pillow and scrunched together under our one blanket- ah, memories! It just might be our new tradition--- Happy Independence Day America!

Isabelle's Softball

In fairness, not only did Abby play--- but Isabelle played coach pitch softball. And, she was actually pretty good at it- in the first picture she was playing pitcher and had just thrown the ball home to get the runner out, and in the second she is leading off first base! Run, Isabelle, run!! She loved playing, and was a great hitter, catcher, runner, fielder, and especially slider! She loves to slide into home and actually knows when to do it too... too funny!! And at the last game, she even caught a fly ball (we won't mention that it surprised her so much, she actually dropped it- Oops!) But who cares, both girls had fun and that's what it's really all about- isn't it??

Coaching T-Ball

For those of you who didn't believe that I was actually coaching T-Ball as I said I was--- here are a couple pictures of proof (nevermind the lazy hair day). And for those of you who didn't know, yes, I in fact got suckered into coaching Abby's team. Chris was mad for accepting after he turned them down, but he was a good sport and helped me out anyway. He hated it!! I, surprisingly, didn't think it was all that bad- we had a cute little team, not a good team, but a very cute one nonetheless. And yes, those hills behind me are the same view we have from our backyard- NICE! GO Phillies! (Thank heavens the season is over...)

Favorite Websites of the Day

I wasted too much time today on silly websites and thought I would share so you can waste your time too...

www.davidlebovitz.com

www.thepioneerwoman.com

www.recipegoldmine.com

Disclaimer- The author of this blog cannot be held responsible for the reader's inevitable misuse of time, and or addictions that may result from visiting said sites....

Grandma Grace

Chris' mom, Grandma Grace, was here to visit last week... which means a few inevitable things will happen--- the kids were spoiled rotten, Chris and Grace always get in a fight and then make up, we'll stay up too late one night debating, talking, and laughing, we'll eat good food, and did I mention the kids will be spoiled?? These are some pics I took at Gardner Village before we took her to the airport...

Landscaping Update

Last time I was complaining about what a pain in the butt landscaping is- and it is but look at the final (initial) results... we still have a lot more to do- with trees and plants alone- but... I think it's starting to look pretty good. We had to bring in 11 truckloads of top soil and about 6 pallets of sod, three large trees, eight large rocks, four fruit trees, eight garden boxes, way too much vinyl fencing, and about 15 yards of concrete, and WAY too much money--- but now, it looks great and it will only get better. We may be poor now, but at least we have a nice backyard...haha

Dad's Graduation

My Dad has always been so supportive and proud of me, that I wanted to make sure that I was there for him when he FINALLY graduated with his Bachelors! The funny sidenote here is that when I was looking through the pics to post- I was taking pics and didn't get any with him and I- so there isn't any evidence that I was actually there- I've got pics with Him and Mom, Scott, Jodi, Robby, Aidan- but not me. But I promise, I was there (behind the camera as usual).
But I just have to brag a little here and tell you how awesome my Dad is- I could write pages and pages but I'll try to keep it short and sweet- my Dad is the hardest working guy I know, he has always made it a point to take care of us, even if it meant putting his own wants and needs on hold. He can whip anyone's butt at Trivial Pursuit. And if you need an opinion on style, design, or anything creative- he is your go to guy! He can't last as long as we girls can shopping- but he has a radar for the cute stuff and the great deals. I can probably count on one hand the times that he was really mad at me- and because of that, we knew when we screwed up. I always knew that he loved me, was proud of me, and that he was fiercely protective of me and my siblings. I loved going to the beach, camping, shopping, bikeriding, painting, rollerblading with Dad when I was younger too. And now, I'm so proud of him for finally doing what he has wanted to for so long- get his degree and more importantly in ART! He is an amazing artist, and has a style all his own. He's always been so creative and talented- now if we can just motivate him a little- he might actually become a successfully selling artist as well, who knows! I know this is kind of random and choppy- sorry- and I could brag more but let it be known that I'm proud of my Dad, and I love him so very much! Congratulations Dad, you finally did what you wanted to do when you grew up... I love you!

Wicked

Here is Kemari and I at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see WICKED!

Scott and Amanda were smart enough to come with us...

Jodi got to come, while Robby stayed home with Aidan- sorry, Robby!!

Here is all of us-the Marks', Amanda, Dad, Mom, Scott, Me, Jodi, Kemari- FUN

Here are Kemari and I with the Capitol building behind us, waiting to go in...

My very cool Mom and Dad...

We're here... we're here...

So- for those of you who don't know- Kemari is my new neighbor/new best friend in Utah. When I said I was going to Cali for my Dad's graduation- she wanted to come and it turned into a very fun Girls weekend. We shopped, ate great food, talked a whole lot (one night until 6am- how old are we???), and she got to meet my awesome family (she says she understands why I am the way I am a whole lot more now), and obviously we got to see WICKED- which was wicked awesome by the way- if you get a chance- go see it!! What a great weekend- did I mention no kids or husbands?? What's not to love about that? AND, we got to celebrate Kemari's thirtieth birthday- what an old lady!