Thoughts On My First Born!

My first born turned 11 yesterday (April 20). I don't want to brag or anything, but this kid is something special. She is so patient, kind, loving, generous, obedient, and sensitive. I could go on and on. She has taught me more in her 11 years than I learned in the lifetime (23 years) before she came along.

I have learned the sacredness of motherhood. I have learned that a child is not anything like having a dog. I have learned what type of example I am. I have learned that I don't know anything. I have learned that I will never know everything. I have learned you can't please them all of the time, but when you can and do it is a wonderful feeling. I have learned that I want more for her than I ever had or will have, and my mom and birth mother wanted the same for me. I have definitely learned it's never enough. I have learned there is no one way to raise a child, but I am trying my best.

Happy Birthday, Boops!

Things To Do Today!

Here is my checklist for today:

1. Buy treats for Syd's birthday and take them to school.
2. Go birthday shopping for Syd.
3. Babysit friend's kid while she goes to the doctor.
4. Family dance organization meeting at the school.
5. Go to job interview.
6. Do homework.
7. Start potty training puppy.
8. Buy all things puppy.
9. Make sure boys don't smother, drown, or break the puppy.

Dog Days of Spring!

She has really taken a liking to Bobby. This is a good thing.


Mallory and I gave her the first bath.

We have a new addition to our family. She is technically Sydney's birthday present, but she is our new family dog! We are in love and taking name recommendations. We opted for another Dachshund. We just couldn't resist. This little gal is a micro mini, so she might get to five pounds. We hope she survives these wild boys.

The Hunt!

Here are several pictures from the Easter egg hunt in Tom and Patty's backyard. We probably had around 150 eggs, and they were all found in less than three minutes. It was nuts!


This is the holding room. The grandkids hung out in here while the men hid the eggs.


Lino sprinting for some eggs!


Buddy on the prowl.


Naomi found the golden egg. This is another tradition of mine.


Gel and Lino trying to find eggs. Very intense hunt.


Jason helping Brooke through the flowers. There are always a ton of eggs to find in there!


The two big girls weren't sure if they were going to join in the hunt this year. They sure look into it to me!


Ashley and Tiny!


Most of the cousins after the hunt. No injuries or deaths.

Easter Supper!

Many years ago, we had neighbors who were raising their daughters in a very refined and cultured manner. The parents always seemed disgusted with my relaxed, liberal ways. Their oldest daughter was five at the time, and she asked me, "Miss Sabra, we will be having leg of lamb for Easter supper. What will you be serving?" I laughed out loud (in my normal, offensive way). I told her I hadn't even thought about it. That's just how I roll.

Here are some "Easter supper" pictures Lemmon style. We served ham and turkey on paper plates (coordinating paper, of course) off of a folding table in the backyard. We didn't even make the kids wash their hands before "supper." Living on the edge, I tell you. It was awesome! We laughed and played until well after dark. Good times were had by all!

Easter Morn!

I love Easter! It's by far my favorite holiday. It's special to me for many reasons, and I always try to make it a special day. This year didn't go as planned. I won't go into details. Let's just say, I don't have any pictures of my kids in their Easter clothes for church, and I didn't bring the rolls to Easter supper.

We have a tradition of making sure the Easter baskets have bathing suits in them, and the kids wake up to a trail of candy to lead them to their baskets.

Easter Eve!

We finished coloring eggs around 10:00, and these two would not go to sleep so the Easter Bunny could visit. Finally, they passed out around midnight. I thought the sleeping positions were worth posting, and I threw a couple in of their baskets.

To Dye For!

Just Buddy, Mallory, and I did the egg coloring this year. Sydney was tending Jason's kids, Tiny was asleep, and Bob was hosting a concert at The Boneyard. We had a nice, semi-quiet time. I love how all the eggs ended up being some shade of green. Worked for me since I LOVE green. They dyed eggs so long all the colors mixed and turned green.

Pageant Pics!

The pageant!


Eating!


Brookstone massage chairs!


Driving!


Patty, Kay-Lanie, Sydney, and I went up to the Easter Pageant on Friday. Here are just a few pictures I took throughout the day. We had a wonderful time, and I hope my girls (Wangas and Boops) will always remember it.

Los Luchadores!

My boys are obsessed with Nacho Libre! You probably rolled your eyes the second your eyes saw the words Nacho and Libre. I hated the movie in the theatre, but the more times I watch it the more times I laugh. This movie has some super, fantastic lines and monologues. Anyways. Bob took Buddy to watch the Lucha Libre (free wrestling) last night. Bobby said Buddy was fascinated with it all and just took as much of it in as he could. He came home with a mask for himself and one for his brody. Before the masks, my boys would yell, "SHIRTS!" and go at it. They would just rip off their shirts and wrestle their hearts out. Now, they are more official with the masks. Tiny isn't a huge fan of his mask, but Buddy fell asleep in his and is still wearing it this morning. I've been calling him "Chito" for his wrestling name. It's a mix between Nacho, Nachito, and Cheeto. Like it? Tiny is "El Chino" for obvious reasons (the mask). Note to Uncle Jason: He informed me that he can't brush his teeth because he's wearing his mask.