April Fool's-2011

Okay, so I'm not the best mom in the world (as this picture of Jake demonstrates). Brad's friend Mitchell came over on April Fools Day and was just itching to play a prank on someone. So like the good mom that I am I suggested we put my sticky, thick, pink lip gloss all over the ends of their binoculars and go get Jake. Of course they loved that idea and did so. Jake totally fell for it and didn't want his picture taken but I had to. Then Mitchell did it to himself and then took them to his house to prank his little brother. (I found out later from his mom that he also took them to the park and got lots of kids there-I probably had some mothers who were not very happy with me;) I love kids and how truly innocent they are!

Girls' Night

Here are some amazing friends from when I lived in Eagle Mountain. We all served in the Young Womens together. One of our "girls" got married and so we all went to the reception together and then out to Texas Roadhouse. We had so much fun. We get together every once in a while and it seems exactly the same and we just pick up where we left off. (Jaime Condie, and Natalie Nesbit, and Natalie Holley). It was such a fun night!

Why oh why?!!

We just can't seem to win when it comes to owning a dog! While Dennis and I were in Mexico, Lacy attacked another dog. Ethan was playing basketball in the backyard and thought it would be okay to let Lacy off her lead while he was right there with her (thanks to his father doing the same thing, against my wishes-just had to get that out!). So of course, while she was free, an older man went walking past our house with his little dog (who was on a leash) and Lacy bolted before Ethan knew what was happening. The little dog was hurt pretty bad and the man was bit. This is the second "recorded" incident with Lacy girl. She also tried to attack another little dog who entered our backyard. Luckily she was on her lead and couldn't get to him very well, and I was there to step between them. This wasn't reported because he was a stray and Lacy didn't get him. There's also the time that Ava pounced on her when she was sleeping and Lacy bit Ava on the face pretty bad. We know it was because she was startled because she came over afterward and loved and kissed Ava over and over again. (Ava was never scared either-went right back to putting her face right on Lacy's and kissed her back). But all of these incidents have made us think it might be best to put Lacy to sleep. We definitely don't want her to go back to the pound-we love her way too much and fear she will have a horrible life with such a track record. I really hate the idea but I told the kids we need to have the courage to do what is best for Lacy. Next week will be so tough for our family!! (Ethan has especially bonded with this girl!)

Cabo San Lucas!

Darin surprised us at Christmas time with an all expense paid trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The resort was all-inclusive and huge! We had three swimming pools to choose from, 4 or 5 restaurants, a store, and miles of beautiful beach. We had so much fun and just loved the relaxing atmosphere with no schedules to meet. The top two pictures are of us Sunday morning before we left to come home. We decided to get up way early so we could watch the sunrise and it really was breathtaking. Only one other person on the beach and we watched the sky turn from dark grey to a warm pink. The next picture is of Dennis playing water volleyball. He actually got hit in the face, which saved the ball and his team scored:) He loved it. And the last photo is of the two of us at the Mexican restaurant the second night. My face was burnt and eyes a bit swollen but oh well;) It was our 16th Anniversary and we were serenaded by the cutest little guy ever. He sang two beautiful Mexican songs about love-so cute! ("Te seguire" meaning "I'll Follow You" and I don't remember the other). Dennis said we need to do this at least every other year-just so much fun!

Ralph Household Getting in Shape!

Ethan has lost 30 lbs!!! At the beginning of the school year he weighed 185 lbs and now he only weighs 156lbs. He is so happy with himself. He is taking a weightlifting class at school and plays basketball for usually an hour a day.

Dennis has signed up to run a ragnar race with a group of friends from church and is working out every day at 5am. And my boys aren't the only ones having fun. I've finally decided to get moving again and have been working out every morning. I've only lost 8 lbs so far but I feel so much better about myself (even with such a miniscule amount lost). Wish us luck!

Reagan and Whitney's Birthday!

Saturday, March 5, Ava and I drove to Elko, Nevada for Reagan and Whitney's birthday party. Their birthdays are the 2nd and 4th so Jill had a combined party for them. Ava loves these girls and says that Reagan (who just turned 4) is her very best friend. I think there were around 16 kids and man did they have fun. Jill did a "Candyland" theme and had games and activities to go along with that. They decorated cupcakes, played charades, and pin the button on the gingerbread girl, etc. Ava absolutely loved every minute of it. It took a little over 3 hours to get to Elko but we are so glad we went. Ava cried and cried when it was time to go home. It was such a fun day and great time to spend with my little girl!

BFF

I walked around the corner the other day, and this is what I saw! I thought it was so cute that I hurried and grabbed my camera and took a few shots. Usually, our cat, Tatty, doesn't like Lacy to get too close to her without batting her in the face with her little paw. But this day was different for some reason and they both stayed like this for quite a while. Our kids LOVE their little pets and we get big loves in return from them (at least from the dog;)