Happy Birthday Luke!!

Today my little Luke turned 3! My how time flies. I love this little kid so much! He is such a bright spot in our home. He is always making us laugh.

I love Luke's big hugs and kisses.

I love the way he talks. Today when I asked him how old he was, he said 2. I told him he was 3 now. So later when I asked him how old he was, he said I'm not telling. Then he added, I'm not 2.

I love Luke's smile. It is infectious.

I love to see Luke bouncing on the tramp with his curly, crazy hair.

I love watching Luke dance. His sisters like to turn music on and dance around. Their latest favorite is dancing to songs from the The Chipmunk Adventure. Luke is right in the middle of them, showing off all his hot dance moves!

Luke loves to read books and play with his brothers and sisters. He loves being outside. His latest and greatest is to find a golf ball and golf club, go out on the front lawn, and whack away! I just pray he doesn't actually smack it one of these days, or I might have some angry neighbors! (Although, who could really be mad at Luke....unless, of course, he's coloring on your walls and doors with permanent marker.)

I love Luke's enthusiasm for life. Yesterday he wanted to help me plant flowers. I found a little shovel and gave it to him. He was so excited, he instantly started singing, "Dig-a-dig-a-dig-a-diggity-dig-a-dig-a-dig-a-diggity-dig". He and Maddy were quite the team, digging holes, putting flowers in, then "covering them up" as Luke would say.

I love watching the way other people light up when Luke's around. The neighbor kids love him. His grandpas adore him.

Everybody loves Luke. In fact, I think I will dub Luke 'Mr. Popular'. Some frequently heard comments in my house as of late are, "Hey Luke. Am I your buddy?" or "Hey Luke. Who do you like the best?" or "Am I your best pal Lukey?" Everyone is constantly seeking for Luke's attention. To be liked by Luke is to achieve status in the Pilling home, I suppose. I have had to
ki-bosh (spelling??) this because it is driving me crazy!! And how did I ki-bosh it you may ask? By informing them all it was useless to try being his best bud, because he likes me the most!!

(Just kidding...sortof)

Happy Birthday little buddy! We all love you so very much!

Summer is here....I think

I love, love, love flowers! My yard is so much work sometimes, but I just love to look out my window and see pretty flowers. I love pulling up to my house and seeing pretty pots and flower beds.

Plus, it creates work for my kids to do. Sometimes I feel like it is so much work to teach my kids how to work! But I guess that's why they pay me the big bucks. Oh wait, did I say big bucks? Silly me.

These beautiful flowers have been sitting on my driveway for a good week or two, waiting for the weather to cooperate! You would think in June we wouldn't be wearing our winter coats, but not so. I wore my down winter coat to baseball just a few days ago.



But today, FINALLY, I planted...and planted....and planted. My back is sore, and my legs are sore, but my flowers are planted. Hallelujah!

And now my husband informs me that tomorrow it may snow. Are you kidding me?!

I hope so.

Goodnight

Do you ever feel too tired to go to bed? Yes, weird I know, but here I sit at my computer, even though I am SO tired! But going to bed would require standing up (which takes energy), walking to my bedroom (more energy), and brushing my teeth (even more energy)!

On the bright side, I don't have to take contacts out, because I can see! Thank you LASIK!

Gardener Extraordinaire

This is Madelyn....yes, the same one who wants to be a weed picker when she grows up. However, she has now decided she would rather be a gardener. Perhaps this is due to the fact that she actually had to help pick weeds the other day and was reminded that it's not all it's cracked up to be! Or perhaps it is because she is dying to help me plant my pots....all those beautiful flowers sitting in my driveway waiting to be planted are calling out to her!


Madelyn loves planting things. She has planted many apple seeds, plum seeds, apricot seeds, etc. in random places around our yard, in hopes of growing a fruit tree! Recently, I was out weeding in my yard (a HUGE task!) and discovered a pretty little something that had been planted by Madelyn. It wasn't exactly the kind of plant you would expect to find, but it added a little color none-the-less!



Apparently they made little trees at school out of sticks and crepe paper. These were just the first of many such trees to be made by Madelyn. In fact, I had to forbid her from breaking any more branches off my plants! She LOVES making things!

So, if you're looking for a little something to spice up your yard, just give Maddy a call....she would be happy to help you out!

Family Night

Don't you love how 2-3 yr. olds talk? It is so funny to hear them repeat things they have heard and picked up on. For example, tonight Luke came up to me (at baseball, of course!) and said, "Can I have some more money.....please?" Now where do you suppose he's heard that before?!

Last night, Ben went to bed before Luke. So, when I took Luke up to bed we were trying to be quiet. I walked into the room to get his jammies, then turned around to see Luke walking on all fours behind me. He peeked up at me and whispered, "Let's be neaky mom."

In Luke language, neaky = sneaky. Just like Nydee = Sydney, or Cott = Scott. That kid sure knows how to make us all smile!


On to a different subject...Guess where we had home evening tonight? I will tell you this much....it was definitely a first for us!

OK, I'll tell you, because you'll probably never guess (no fair guessing Lana!)

Home Evening tonight was held in my bathroom. Why you might ask? We had baseball games and I had to get slightly cleaned up, since I had been working for HOURS in my yard! So the kids all gathered around while I straightened my hair, and Josh gave us a lesson. Now, as far as home evening lessons go, this was on the quick, have home evening to be obedient side of things. But nonetheless, I bet my kids will remember for quite some time the night we had home evening in mom's bathroom!

Blast from the Past

Last weekend we went to church in Utah with our friends. As I was sitting, thinking and pondering on the things being said during sacrament meeting, a note was passed down the aisle to me. Those of you who went to junior high when I did will probably recognize how the note has been expertly folded in the oh so popular way of folding notes....back then anyway!


When I opened the note, this is what I read:


In case you can't read it, here it is:

Emily,

I can't believe it's almost summer. I wish I would have gotten to know you better, but I hear you are awesome. I hope we can have some classes together next year.
I hope you have a RAD summer!!! Stay out of trouble with Brek. Don't do anything I wouldn't do. (smiley face)
Do you want to be locker partners next year? Do you think Brek would care? Let's go do something this summer. Call me!
URAQT! I would like to be your BFF.

Stay cute, cool, crazy

Love Always,
Ryan #8

U Rock!


Ryan always knows how to make me laugh! Stay cute, cool, and crazy y'all!

Happy Moments

Just a few moments I want to remember.

Pulling into our driveway today, and seeing Josh and Luke on the grass, smiling and waving at me. Two little buddies who brought a smile to my face.

Holding Ben who smiles every time I look down at him. Laughing and playing with Ben, who would grab my face with both hands and try to eat me. (I'm pretty sure that was his way of saying I love you so so so much mom!)

Tucking the girls into bed tonight. They informed me that they wanted to sing me a lullaby instead of vice versa. But it wasn't exactly your typical lullaby, unless of course, you consider songs from Barbie The Island Princess and The Chipmunk Movie to be lullabies! But they sing a mean Girls of Rock 'n Roll (or Girls of Rock 'n Roller as Maddy would say).

The Fun Begins

Baseball, baseball, baseball. I am considering pitching a tent at the ball field so I can just sleep over. I mean, I am practically living there!

All I can say is this: It is a good thing there is sand for my son to dig in, treats for my kids to eat, and many kind people that are willing to help out with my baby!

Little Pals

Tonight upon entering the ball field, Luke began searching for his buddy Ty. He soon spotted him and ran towards him.

His excitement was bubbling over. He could hardly contain himself. He ran towards Ty, squealing with glee, and put his arm around him. Then, not knowing what else to do with all this excitable energy that was flowing through his body, he screamed (happy screams) while running around in circles. (Do you suppose that's when he peed his pants?)

Why didn't I ever think of that? I mean, come on. What better way to disperse a little happy energy? (And I am not talking about peeing your pants.)

So if I you see me running around in circles, don't be alarmed. I am not trying to maximize every minute by burning a few calories here and there. I am just happy to see you!

Ahhhh, to be a 2 year old.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend in Utah visiting some great friends from South Dakota, the Jones' and the Ollertons. After four long years of OB residency, our friends, the Ollertons have finally moved back closer to home. It was so fun to see them again! It has been way too long! And, of course, we always love seeing the Jones'. They are such dear friends. Now we just need Shane and Jas to move back! (Hint, hint)

The kids had a great time together. You would never know it had been years since they had seen each other. Here are a few pictures of the kids enjoying the semi-warm weather!

Sydney and Madelyn walked home, or should I say ran home, from church with Rylee. They loved being with Rylee and all her neighborhood friends!




The girls all sat outside painting fingernails and toenails. And when I say girls, I don't just mean my girls. Half the neighborhood showed up to paint their fingernails. Even Scott and Josh and a few other boys wanted to get in on the action. Either my boys have issues, or they wanted to be near the cute Utah girls! Since the few nails they painted were vigorously being scrubbed off shortly after, I'm pretty sure it was the latter!



The kids loved riding around on scooters, rip sticks (new to me, but very fun), battery-powered motorcycles, etc.






We are so grateful for all the wonderful friends we have made through the years. We loved our years in South Dakota, and the friends we made. They were like family to us!

To all of our wonderful friends and family out there...We love you!