First Day of Preschool

 Guess who started Preschool today?

 That's right... Miss Ella Bella and she was so excited.

 She's pointing out the "oo" sound.  She likes the "oo" sound.

And of course we had to take a picture of the backpack.  I know it looks ginormous on her, but that was the one she wanted.

How We Roll...

Many people have asked how I grocery shop with three small children.  Well here are my secrets.  I rarely shop with them if I am doing a coupon shopping trip and need to focus.  If I do this I try to go on the first day of the sale, have a list of exactly what I need with all my coupons ready to go and I go in with a game plan.  I try to get in and get out.  If I don't stay on task and I wander to see if there are any unadvertised deals on things I use all the time (this is certainly not uncommon of me to do), well, I pay for it dearly.  The majority of my couponing trips are for stock up items and not so much our everyday menu items.  So for our everyday menu items I prefer to shop at our local grocery store.  And let me tell you they are fantastic and totally kid friendly.  We usually start our trip with the kids complimentary ice cream cones.  If I'm feeling generous and we have the time a.k.a. Ashlynn isn't going to start screaming to eat in the next hour, then we'll sit and eat ice cream, otherwise we eat it on the go.  Note: Always bring wipes.  Also, they have the car carts that my kids love.  I feel like I'm driving a semi, but it keeps them all contained.  From that point on I shop as quickly as possible all the while bribing the kiddos with free balloons and candy.  Yes, on top of the free ice cream, they get suckers or smarties at checkout and then at customer service they give the kids free balloons.  I usually try to limit the freebies to only one thing of their choosing, but sometimes we've got to pull out all the stops.  

So for your amusement and my memories, here is a little laugh for you...

 Yummy Ice Cream

 We usually start with Ella in the cart

 Until Cameron commandeers both steering wheels

So this is usually how we end up, but Ella is good about staying with me.  Now if only I could get her to not touch everything in site.

Sleeping Bebes...

Weekend Recap... Part 2

Our weekends aren't usually so full of photos, but this last weekend I just happened to have the camera with me at all times and was able to get some fun pictures, sooo... you'll just have to bare with me here.  

After the aquarium, we headed home to enjoy our back yard and do a little yard work, but only after grabbing a slurpee first. :)

 Ashlynn just might end up being the best tackler of the bunch.  She managed to wrestle Ella to the ground.  I think she's been watching Ella and Cameron a little too much.

So Pretty

 The Munchkins love helping mow the lawn...

Let's just hope they keep that enthusiasm.  Oh, and look who was running around in big boy underwear all weekend (except when we were out... I'm not ready to deal with that yet).

 Cameron loves the edger.  I need to find a play one to go with his mower.

 The kids were having so much fun running up and down the hill.  They of course thought it was hilarious when daddy started chasing them with the lawn mower.

 After a few hours of yard work and some delicious dinner... we thought we should end our day with popsicles and bathtime.  

Mmm... give it to me mom!

 As soon as we got outside though it started to rain, but just a little bit, so we huddled under the trees to wait it out.

 Ashlynn was so distraught that she couldn't have the popsicle.  

How can you say no to that face!?!

 Well, you can't.  She's still a little upset here.

 And just to get one more laugh, I took it away again, plus I wanted at least a few bites.

 Pure contentment 

 And there's the glare I got from the hubby.  Remember kids, mom is the nice one that gives you popsicles. :)  He didn't think it was so cool to give Ashlynn a popsicle.

 Yes, she did lick that stick clean.

 Ella decided that they had to do a little dancing before bathtime and bed.  

 And there goes Cameron... yes it does feel like he is really moving this fast all the time... going from mess to mess accident to accident.

 Andrew was a good sport to go along with her demands.

 Even Cameron gets in on the action when Ella gets bossy... especially when it comes to dancing.

 What better way to get a sticky and dripping baby clean before heading to the bath.

 Roxy was more than happy to help out.

David, these last few pics are really for you. :)

Weekend Recap... Part 1

For my own journaling purposes I want to start writing up a little recap of what we did over the weekend.  Most weekends I'm sure won't be too exciting, but it's kinda fun to look back and remember.  Also, if I can just have a mommy moment, there are several pictures I take of the kids and they seem kinda silly in there own post, but if they're included in a "what we did over the weekend" post, then I can show off my adorable munchkins and the grandparents get to see what we're up to.  Win win!

 We finally got the bubble machine out.

 They were more than excited about it.

 Ella adores her baby sister

 She'll be a good mommy someday... or a really bossy older sister.

 They love each other

Friday night our ward (church group) got together up in the canyon for a picnic/skits/games for the kids night.  It's an annual tradition that we always look forward to.  Ella for having lots of fun shooting the bow and arrow. 

And there's Cameron sneaking off with the arrows. 

They were super excited to help put out the campfire

 On Saturday we went to the aquarium.  The kids love going there.  Ashlynn even enjoyed it this time.

Here fishy, fishy, fishy... 

 Cameron loves driving the fishing boat

 Ella has recently become very interested in helping do things for her sister.  Pushing the stroller is at the top of that list.  Ashlynn really doesn't mind, but you'd never guess by looking at her scowl.

 Cameron likes to help push too... that of course is a little bit of a problem

 The kids love spending time with their daddy

They love this frog.  Cameron likes to ride it while saying "giddy up froggy".  Funny boy.