This garden is no longer neat and clean. Part of it is due to some of the wind storms we have had that pushed the wood chip aside and pulled up the weed cover stuff. Last summer/fall Todd, being the yard work kind of guy that he is, set out to re-do this garden area. It looked fine before, but had white river rock throughout the top and bottom tiers. That may be nice for AZ but not for me! I live in Utah now, I want stuff that is green and inviting. Anyway, there were a few perfectly spaced tulip plants among other things that got pulled out. We like having the plants,but were going to put something new in when we could decide what exactly we wanted. Instead we made it neat and clean with wood chips for now. Well, winter ran its course and moved things around a bit causing the plants that we thought we tore out, to sprout. Instead of being more uniform the bulbs must have been cut apart and now they are growing everywhere. Today I felt bad for the struggling plants because they are literally breaking through the black covering to reach the sun light. One of the pictures was originally a bulge that I saw in the covering. I tore it open to find that large plant. So I took scissors out to give the plants some space to grow. Tomorrow is saturday and Todd plans on doing yard work because of our wonderful weather. He will be cleaning this garden up. To tell you the truth, I am so glad to see the green coming out of the ground. Infact, some of these flowers bloom pretty little flowers that have a really nice fragrance. Although they are scattered all over now with no real order, I want to keep them. I love when spring hits! It makes me feel so good and motivated. I love watching for when those tulips will blossom! Maybe Todd will take pitty on me and atleast let me have them for the season. Maybe he can just clean up all around them. They may not be uniform, but blooming colorful flowers look pretty no matter what, right?!

Like mother, like daughter

While we were cruising around Salt Lake City we were taking some pictures in the car. Leyton made a silly face and then she wanted to take a picure of me doing the same.

While TOdd's Mom and sister were in town we took the mandatory trip down by Temple Square. This time Todd and his Mom hit the family history building while Kerri, Leyton, Devyn and I went into the church history building where they have a childrens museum. We had a good time and were able to do some other exploring around town before we had to get back because Rieley became sick at a friends house.

Squinty eyes

Devyn has been really cute! Every time I get ready to take a picture the flashing light that indicates a picture is about to be taken causes her to squint like she had something sour. It also seems to make her giggle and she reaches for the source. CUTE!

Happy 9th Anniversary!!

I told Todd the other day(jokingly) that I was surprised we ever got married. He came back right away saying he's surprised we still are. Sometimes I wonder! JUST KIDDING! It has been 9 wonderful years and I am looking forward to 100 more.....then eternity(unless I change my mind, eternity is a long time, you know?!) This year we weren't prepared to celebrate. It has been busy and it kind of came up on us fast. So we just had a nice dinner at home and will plan something later. Luckily, that was an okay solution for both of us....this year anyway. I'm not going to let this be the excuse for years to come.

Maybe not Pottery Barn but...

For quite some time we have had all three girls in a room together. We needed to move things around in anticipation for Devyn and we had one very large room so this really became the best option. Over the last year we have re-arranged a few times. Partly because I always like re-arranging and also because it is never totally right the first time around. So, during this last change the bunk beds which had been seperate were put back together and shifted and other furniture was moved too. The results are great...atleast for me. This room is incrediblt long(I don't know the purpose, but it is) so we made seperation between the sleeping area and a play area. I just really like it! There may still be bordering on the wall, which will one day be removed. We do have to paint. I do wish that they had just the right dressers and I wish that the Accessories complimented one another, but those things will happen with time .....and money. Until then, it is so cozy and fun. For me, it would have been my dream bedroom as a child.

Personality Portraits

They have already gotten their regular school pictures earlier this year. For reasons uncertain to me(MONEY) these "personality portraits" take place later on. This is also the same time that class pictures are taken. Luckily I learned quickly when I encountered this tactic last year so that I could be even more prepared for photography companies trickerie. I understand that these are good money making strategies, but they are intended to trick people into having to purchase things that they normally would not have. It is dishonest......and I don't like dishonesty. Okay, so what happens is.......your children are notified of class picture day. They are also notified that they will be taking "personality portraits" on the same day. These are optional if you make sure to read the note that has lots of writing and other info regarding the class photo(if your child even gets the note to you). If you don't sign it declining the extra picture then they are automatically taken. Clever! What is even more clever is that they get sent home whether you wanted them or not. It is your responsibility to ensure that they don't get damaged en-route to your house, pulled out by the child or another sibling, excitedly cut out by the children, given away or torn....and get it safely back into the back pack and sent safely back to school and returned indicating that it was not wanted. Yes, there are small notifiers so that butts are covered, but I see the deceipt. Last year, before I KNEW, I pulled these cute pictures out of the back pack and was so excited! I didn't realize that they were going to be getting more done. I was almost ready to frame it when I noticed the note that accompanies the pictures and the break down of the prices if I wanted to keep any. It isn't that I don't have enough money to pay for them(although I don't feel like paying 35.00 for more school pictures). It's that I don't like being tricked into doing it. So there you have it. A very interesting opinion that I'm sure everyone was so interested in hearing. P.S. They are so cute aren't they...and you hate them going to waste......see how they get us!