Happy 7 years to us!

It is hard to believe we have been married for 7 years already. That is almost 1/4 of my lifetime!
Nate...even though I was very young and probably quite immature when we decided to get married I was obviously wise beyond my years becuase marrying you was the best decision I have EVER made! Happy Anniversary my eternal buddy....I love you VERY much!

TTA-Why I love being a MOM

I love to watch each one of my children learn and grow in their own time, and in their own way.

I love that a little bit of knowledge goes a long way in impressing my kids. For example, if I can make a pirate ship out of Legos, I'm the smartest mom in the world!

I love that I can spend an entire day playing outside, coloring, reading books or building castles, and it is a wise investment of my time.

I love that I always have SOMETHING to talk about. Poop and spit-up are invaluable topics of conversation.

I love that I am adored in a way that can't be explained. That feeling when your baby reaches up to touch your face for the first time - magic.

I love that I get to buy cute clothes without the guilt; cause I'm not shopping for MYSELF.

I love that I have lost my jaded outlook as my kids see things for the first time. Snow used to be a driving problem. Now it’s actually fluffy frozen water falling from the sky....and its time to make a snow man!

I love having a home full of laughter.

I love that with my kids no matter how bad I think the day went, the next day is brand new–a do-over. I can start all over at being a perfect Mom every day and they keep giving me the chance.

I love the UNKNOWN–I am a person who usually likes to have things planned out, but when you’re mom, you never what your kids will do or say. There is something beautiful and fun about having no idea what to expect next!

I love being a mom because it is where I feel the most dependent on Heavenly Father. It is such a roller coaster ride and I CAN'T do it by myself!

I love the slobbery kisses, high fives and the way too short snuggle sessions!

Yikes...I should probably stop here! Nate keeps calling me to come downstairs and watch the Jazz/Lakers game. A little in home rivalry keeps the marriage interesting! (Go Jazz!)

Mom Tag!

Here we go:

1.Typically, what time do you wake up?
Now that all 3 kids are sleeping through the night....8:00am. It is WONDERFUL!

2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed?
7:30...they are really good at going to bed on time. (except for when Parker takes an afternoon nap...different story)


3. How long have you been a mommy?
5 years 8 months 15 days


4. How old were you when you became a mom?
21


5. What is your favorite kids T.V show?
I like Curious George.


6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show?
Tella Tubbies and Barney.... o yeah...and that Boo Bah show. SO annoying.


7. What is your favorite chore?
vacuuming. I am addicted.


8. . What is your favorite meal to cook?
Swedish Pancakes. Because everyone eats them and NO ONE complains!


9.What meal do you cook most often?
Probably anything Mexican....enchiladas, tacos, bean burritos


10. What is your kids favorite meal?
cheese pizza and root beer.

11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids?
I love to watch him coach Dallin and Parker's teams. My all time favorite is when he shows up in his suit and helps coach...SO cute.

12. What are 5 things that make you smile about being a mom?
1. kisses and hugs
2. little boy prayers ("bless us to not hit each other...bless we won't bite one another"
3. Landon laughs.
4. Notes that Dallin throws down the stair case. They say things like...."I love you mommy" or "Will you please play a game with me?"
5. Parker putting his "deodorant" on in the morning. (An empty one)

13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be?
I want to take them to Sea World and Disney Land SO bad. Dallin was so little when we lived in CA and he didn't appreciate it like he would now!

14. When was the last time you went out without your kids?
I don't remember BUT I do know that we will be going out this weekend BOTH Friday and Saturday without them! Woo Hoo! (Anniversary and Adult Prom...fun weekend!)

15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids?
We love to play outside at the park right across the street from our house. We seriously play out there almost EVERY single day.

16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother?“You better stop crying or I will give you something to cry about."

17. Name one thing you do, that your own mom did?I go around and pick things up with my feet. I totally remember my mom doing that when I was little.

18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? She is FUN and compassionate.

19. What is your favorite kids book? I love "Are you my Mother?"

20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? DO NOT play developmental derby with others. Honestly...every kid develops at their own pace and just because your kid isn't crawling by six months or talking by 18 months...it doesn't mean something is wrong.

21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? I remember feeling REALLY overwhelmed after Landon was born. I was tired and I felt like I would be stuck in my house forever becuase there was no way I was ever going anywhere with all 3 boys. I had a breakdown on the way home from Landon's first Dr. appointment. Luckily those feelings didn't last too long.

22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? There are way too many joyful moments....there are moments every day that I find great joy in.

23. When was the last time you told your kids, “I Love You."
Tonight...when I tucked them in to bed.

I'm tagging any mom out there who wants to do it!

Birthday Fun!

We had such a fun day celebrating Lando the mando yesterday. We met Grandma for lunch over at Chuck E Cheese. The boys always love an excuse to go over there. Chuck was especially sweet with him. All of the kids were swarming all around and he got down on his knees so Landon could touch his face. When daddy got home we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows over the fire pit in the back yard. Then we let Landon have at his cake. It was a great day!

Happy 1st Birthday Landon!

I can't believe my BABY is ONE YEAR OLD today! Honestly...where does the time go? I remember a year ago thinking that there was NO WAY I was going to be able to handle 3 kids 4 and under! If I had to re-live the past year I would do it in a heart beat. Landon has been such a sweet baby. Heavenly Father KNOWS that I couldn't handle much more so he definately gave me a very easy going little boy. The kid just gets toted around from here and there and hardly ever even makes a peep. He only cries if he is hungry or when one of his brothers rams into him. He loves to be near his brothers at all times and thinks he is just as big as they are.

Here's a little info on the birthday boy:

-He loves to eat any and everything. It doesn't matter what it is...if you put it in front of him, it will be gone.

-He's been walking since he was almost 10 months old. (Trying to keep up with the other two)

-He loves to dance.

-He is my "little" guy. My other 2 boys have always been "off the charts" and Landon has always been in the 10-15th percentile.

-He HATES to be in his carseat for longer then a couple hours. Driving to Utah was a nightmare.

-Dallin makes goofy faces and can make him laugh REALLY hard.

-His 2nd tooth just barely broke through.

I just love this boy SO much. Happy Birthday Little! Mommy loves you!

Hometown Favorites

Boise, Idaho

Favorite Place To:
grab lunch- Louie's Pizza (good price...great food)
go for Date night- ANYWHERE! Dates alone are few and far between.
pick up some creative goodies- Craft Warehouse...I just found this place. It reminds me of Roberts.
keep the kids busy- In the winter...I would have so say the good old Discovery Center of Idaho. The boys beg to go every week. In the spring, summer and fall I would have to go with ALL the parks in Boise. We love packing a lunch and going to a different park every week. O yeah...and we love the zoo.
get wet- Roaring Springs for swimming pool type water. Lake Owahee for boating.
buy a treat- Goodie's- The old fashioned candy and ice cream store in Hyde Park. I love the atmosphere just as much as all the treats!
shop for fun- Probably downtown Boise. I love all the little shops.
get some fresh air- walking along the Greenbelt by the Boise River. Heading up to Bogus to go skiing.
splurge - Outlet Mall....Osh Kosh and Carter's. I know that one sounds dumb but I LOVE to buy clothes for my boys and when I go to the outlets...I always spend WAY too much!
drive for a weekend away- McCall

Startin 'em young!

For FHE tonight we went over to the golf course and hit a bucket of balls. The boys had such a great time. It was such a PERFECT evening...75 degrees and no wind. I LOVE the Spring! Dal and Parks absolutely love to play golf. They know how much their daddy loves it and so I think they are just trying to be like him! Nate better start making some more money.....with 3 boys to take to the course one day its going to get rather spendy!

Check me out..I gave it a try! Nate even said I've got a pretty good swing!

Parker Quotes

Parker has been saying some silly things lately...I figured I had better write them down before I forget them.

-At church on Sunday Dallin and Parker were washing their hands. Dallin accidentally squirted soap on the wall. Parker says, "Dallin...you better clean that up right now. We don't want Jesus to have to come in here and clean that."

-Last night we were talking about missions. I told him that one day he would go on a mission just like his uncle. His response, "I only want to go on a mission if you can come with me."

-Yesterday we went to the park with some friends. Parker REALLY had to go to the bathroom so he ran over to a tree and started going before I could show him where the bathroom was. He comes running back over to me afterwords and says, "Mom....I went pee really really fast because I didn't want the big goose to come over and bite me on the penis." NICE

-This morning we were at the dentist office because Dallin had a checkup. I was trying to keep an eye on both Parker and Landon in the waiting room. Parker proceeds to go over to the glass door and spits on it and then smears his spit all over the door. I was like, "PARKER...WHAT are you doing." "Stop that RIGHT NOW." He looks at me and says, "Sorry mom. I just don't trust myself." What????

I love this kid...he tries my patience on a daily basis but I wouldn't trade him for the most well mannered and behaved kid in the world..it just wouldn't be my Parker!

TTA-What makes you laugh out loud?

I am so glad this is the topic for this week. I needed it today.

-Landon's bee bop dance

-Nate impersonating the news guy on channel 7

-staying up until the wee hours of the morning with my girlfriends talking about who knows what :)

-The Office

-Dallin and Parker talking about how kissing girls would be "so gross"

-singing songs around the campfire with Nate's fam

-riding behind the boat on a tube with someone next to me

-Game nights with other couples

-Uncle Yamo

-riding on rides at theme parks

-thinking about the silly "music videos" we made in high school

-Junie B. Jones books

-sleepovers for Young Womens

-Brian Regan comedy

-reminiscing about the days when I used to con my sister out of everything...her toys...money..etc.

-Headlines with Jay Leno

-hanging out with Marcy

-hmmm...that's all for now. I am sure if I think about it for awhile longer I could probably come up with some more.

Boy oh Boy!

My sis had her ultrasound and she found out she is having a BOY! I am so thrilled that I am going to have a new little nephew! I thought for sure it was a little girl. My grandma has been correct with all 3 of my boys. She would start crocheting a blue blanket as soon as I would tell her I was pregnant. When I asked her what she thought Natalie was having she said she thought it was a girl so I was 100% convinced.

One thing is for sure.....this little boy will be getting plenty of hand me downs. I have boy clothes coming out my ears! Landon is excited to have a little buddy to play with...Congrats Nat and Robby!

Tuesday Tell All

For what activity would you want professional lessons?

I would LOVE to learn how to ballroom dance with my husband! I'm not sure how excited he would be about it but I just think it would be SO much fun! I remember walking by the Wilkinson Center ballroom when I was at BYU and I would always see all of the ballroom dance classes going on. I tried to add it as a class a couple of times but it would always fill up really quickly. Whether for personal enrichment or fitness, or as a hobby, dancing is a great form of self-expression and I would love to take some professional lessons if we had some more time...and money! Hopefully one day!

Back in B-town

We had such a WONDERFUL vacation it is hard to believe it is already OVER! I was looking forward to it for such a long time....O well....we still have Lake Powell in just a couple of months. (This time...WITH the husband!)
So here is the very brief overview of our trip:
We headed down to Salt Lake and spent some time with the cousins. We visited Hogle Zoo, the Children's museum and the Dinosaur exhibit at Thanksgiving Point. It is always a little refreshing going to Utah. No one looks at me like I am crazy with 3 kids in tow. Ashley and I have 6 kids between the 2 of us and no one even looks twice at us. (Unless we are spilling drinks EVERYWHERE....never mind) We had so much fun spending time with everyone!

After we played for a couple of days I left the boys with Grandma and Ashley (A big THANK YOU goes out to the both of them) and was able to hop in the car for our long awaited "Girls Trip" to St. George. My sister and I have been best friends with Ash and Lindsay since birth. Our moms our best friends AND our Grandmas are even best friends!We started off the trip finding out that not ONE pregnant lady but TWO pregnant ladies would be along for the ride. Ashley is just a few weeks behind my sister so it was such fun and exciting news! Both of them are first time moms so we had many conversations about babies, maternity clothes, birth stories....etc. It is so funny to think that OUR moms were pregnant at the same time talking about alot of the same things were! We listened to all of these songs that Ash and Linds compiled from years gone by. We laughed SO hard listening to Huey Lewis and the News, Girls just wanna have fun, and the Backstreet Boys. Hilarious.

We ate out..its so NICE not to have to cook!

Did lots of shopping ...We found the UGLIEST shoes in the WORLD! Whoever would pay $35 bucks for them is absolutely crazy! They look like witch shoes and the picture actually makes them look better then they were.

Then we went to a Deana Carter concert. If you knew me in the high school days you know how much I LOVED Deana Carter. The concert was at Tuacahn in the outdoor theatre and it was SO much fun! We sang and danced through the whole concert. She was so funny and had such an amazing voice...especially in person. The concert was over way too fast!

The last day we went over to Zion's and did some hiking. It was an absolutely perfect 75 degrees out. We hiked up to the Emerald pools and walked over to the beginning of the narrows. It is no wonder that so many tourists come from all over the world to see such an amazing place. We had a great time.

I am so blessed to have so many awesome women in my life. I needed this trip to charge my batteries! Thanks for the fun trip girls! Back to the real world again! :)

And we're off!

Tomorrow morning we are hitting the road! People think I am crazy for always going places without my hubby but if I waited until he COULD come with...we'd never get to go anywhere!

We're playing in Salt Lake for a couple of days and then I am leaving the boys and enjoying a little girl time in St. George with my sis and our bestest friends since childhood. (Ash and Linds) First time away from all my boys for longer then one evening....yikes! I am feeling a little nervous about leaving everyone but I am excited at the same time!

Adios blogging world...be back in a week!

Shop till you drop! (Literally)

I freely admit that being a mom of 3 kids can be exhausting and there have been quite a few times where I felt like I could just curl up and fall asleep ANYWHERE. I was one of those high school kids who occasionally fell asleep in class and I did the head bobbing thing through many a BYU Biology and American Heritage class. Well...last night we decided to take a trip over to the mall as a family and here is what we saw:
I kid you not...this couple was out COLD. People were walking by and laughing and I wasn't the only onlooker who pulled out the camera!

The 3 bears....Starnes style

Parker loves the story of Goldilocks and the three bears. Every night he begs and begs to hear the story before he goes to bed. Dallin gets a little bit irritated with the repeated request every night so some nights we change it up a little. For example, we made up the story of the "3 little robots" which is basically the same story except for the fact that Mama, Papa and baby robot all have silly voices and we add some "bleeps" and "blorps" in there. We've also come up with the "3 cowboys" and the "3 monsters."
Anyway, the other day we made some chocolate cake and the boys wanted some as soon as I took it out of the oven. I told them that we had to wait for it to cool off just like the 3 bears did with their oatmeal. Dallin suggested we go for a walk.....great idea! Parker became very concerned and asked, "What if someone comes to eat our cake just like Goldilocks ate the oatmeal?" I told him no little girls would get into our house while we were away. Dallin was like, "What about other people....or bears?" I assured them no one would get into the house and away we went on our walk.
As we finished up our walk I see this little sign in the window by the front door. Here is the note Dallin left in the window:

(No kids in home and no bears and no adults) Dallin was sure that because of his note...our cake was saved. It was so darn cute....love it!