Braeden has been trying to earn money for an electric guitar so he has really been stepping it up when it comes to chores.  I asked him to take the trash outside for me and he took a while downstairs.  I kind of forgot he was supposed to be doing it and all of a sudden I see him like this.  He put socks on his hands for gloves and bobby pins on his nose so he wouldn't smell the trash.  Let's just say that the bag was tied in a knot and it didn't really smell.  He just did this.

My Baby is ONE!!!

Our cute little baby has turned one yesterday.  NOT FAIR!  Our kids have been growing too big lately.  Has it really been a year for Caleb though.  CRAZY!!  But we had a simple birthday party for the little bugger.  Braeden had a tball game last night so we just picked up some In & Out Burgers and came home and opened presents and ate cake.  I'm not a huge 1st birthday party thrower.  As long as I have pictures of them eating a cake, I'm good with that.

Caleb hasn't started walking yet, but he acts like he might be walking soon.  He'll go from the couch to the coffee table and take a few steps to get there.  

Like my other 1 year olds, he had no idea what to expect with this cake.  "Is Mommy really letting me eat sugar, can this be true??"

And he liked it for the most part, but didn't really eat it.  He just played.  Not sure what this boy thinks about food.  He hardly gets excited about eating.

  It was cute though.  The night before his birthday, Braeden was really concerned about a card for him.  It was getting late and I told him he could work on a card before school the next day.  So he set out the crayons and paper on his floor so he would remember to make a card in the morning.  And of course Elli had to make one too.  They turned out so cute.... I had to take a picture of them.

Disney On Ice

We were really lucky to get to go to Disney On Ice last weekend.  We told the kids we were going some place fun and didn't tell them where.  But Braeden found out where we were going and he kept it a surprise from Elli.  She was really excited cause we told her we were going to see princesses.... hence the princess crown.  Braeden and Elli both had a great time!!  They want to go ice skating now.  Does anyone want to take them for me because I need someone holding my hand when I ice skate??

We had great seats.  Only 9 rows up.  But I couldn't seem to get any good pictures of what was going on.  They turned out blurry or weird colors.

It was so fun going.  I have been wanting to go for a VERY long time and finally got tickets!!  

CRAZY BOYS!

My older sister Lisa took her hubby on a surprise weekend  for his birthday a last week and my younger sister Kara and I split up the babysitting.  Since I had 7 kids when I babysat, ranging from 10 to 1 year, I wasn't too keen on the idea of adventuring out with all of them.  It seemed kind of too crazy for me.  But the kids were getting a little bored and wanted to do something.  They were playing on the swing set and got the big idea of getting their swimsuits on and turning on the water.  I thought they were crazy.  It was in the low 70's and the wind was blowing.  But they told me they wouldn't care if they were cold so I let them.  

Elli had to were little Crew's swim suit and shirt.  She can make anything look cute!!

But that wasn't enough I guess.  They begged and begged for about an hour to go swimming.  I kept saying no, but I finally said yes.  They all got in and froze, but they kept swimming.  I mean, it was 10:00 in the morning and the wind was blowing and these kids didn't care.

  

Elli wouldn't let go of the tube.

They didn't want to get out, but since everyone couldn't stop shivering their teeth, I made them. They made me cold.  Of course at about 3:00 they wanted to get in again.  I let them since the 2 little ones were sleeping and it would be easier to watch them.

  

All of the kids are very cute with Caleb.  They are always playing with him and being cute with him!

Clayton and Caleb

Cole and Caleb

Clayton and Elizabeth

Easter

We had a great day!!  It, of course, started with the kids waking up wondering what the Easter Bunny brought.  It seemed to me that the Easter Bunny was being frugal this year.  But the kids didn't notice at all.  They had fun looking for eggs and eating a little before church!!

Braeden chose not to use his basket when looking for eggs..... don't ask me why???

The Easter Bunny decided to hide some up high.  But the kids found them!

Then after church, we had a fabulous dinner at my parents' house with all my brothers and sisters and their families!  Since we have 4 birthdays in April, we celebrated birthdays and opened presents.  Then we had our monthly FHE and learned how the Easter Bunny fits into Easter.  Pretty crazy day, but it was fun.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAUL, KARA, BLAYKE & CALEB!!!

Here the kids are looking for eggs.  That was comedy in itself.  Crazy kids looking for the ones with money in them.  When the "Easter Bunny" hides eggs at G & G's house, he always leaves money in the eggs.  And the kids know that.

Kara and Cody

Then this classic moment happened.  Braeden found out that Blayke found a $5 bill.  So Braeden took a seat next to her and tried to bargain with her.  Braeden offered Blayke his $1 bill for her $5 bill.  We think she would have given it to him if Blayke's mom wasn't standing there.  Sweet little Blayke.

Elli and Blayke found the only 2 $5 bills.  Braeden found one of the $1 bills.  They also got a bunch of change.  Thanks "Easter Bunny"  (you know who you are!)

Braeden eating some of his candy.  Little do they know that 1 day after Easter, their candy disappears.  Mom hides it from them and they just seem to forget about it.  Lovely!

Caleb opening up his presents since his birthday is in April!!

Blayke's birthday is in April and Elli picked out what she wanted to get her.  She gave her Princess nails, Princess lip gloss and Princess rings and earrings.  Elli magically got the same thing since I didn't want to hear them fighting over it.  I know, I shouldn't have done it, but these 2 are the only girls on this side of the family and they need girly things to do with all the boys running around.

Caleb playing with the guitar G & G got him!