33 Years

I turned 33 a week or so ago. I'm ok with it. I think 33 will be a good year for me. We rode the train down to Old Town San Diego for the Mormon Battalion celebration. That part was just ok, not as much fun as we hoped,but it was still great to be out on such a beautiful day and to spend it with family & friends. What WAS a lot of fun was riding the train. Of course Griffin couldn't get over it and has asked everyday since if we can go back and ride it. It was a pretty easy way to get down to SD and the beach scenery was beautiful. Then during naps I went and got a mani-pedi and later we celebrated with friends over dinner and bowling. It was a great birthday :)

This was the scene at one of the stops, which of course was

a huge bonus for all the kids:

Ben with all 5 kids

Griffin filled himself up on rock candy and soda

that his dad bought him. The sugar high was amazingly fun

Bowling....

It was cosmo-bowl or something like that and the fog machine was seriously out of control.

It was like the "Smoke Monster" from LOST joined us

Oh ya, and bowling 7 mths pregnant is not recommended. I used stomach muscles I haven't used in months and after 2 games was broken. Sad but true.

My gift from Emily & Chels

Isn't this a beautiful piece of art? bahahah....

It really was just a pain-in-the-butt way to get me a big gift certificate.

SOOO fun to haul this thing in to return it with Griffin in tow...

thanks ladies. I still love you anyway:)

Jan. 17

Yes, its been beautiful here most of January and we've been taking advantage of it. I have a love/hate relationship with the beach. I know I should just love it, and I DO when I'm there. A lot. But I really hate the clean-up when I get home and finding sand in every crevasse of my car and house. Anyway- I still do love it and LOVE that in January we can enjoy the beautiful outdoors. Take that cold wintery snowy places :)

This face is hilarious. And ohhh so dirty.

Ben helped the kids build a "hot-tub"

It was a huge success

Some of the worlds cutest kids

Rockin' Out

Griffin saw the Rockband drums in the closet and insisted on playing. He also insisted on standing to use the petal while playing most of the time. His singing was also hilarious (and actually better than Bens, sorry love ;). It was funny because he got all embarrassed when I brought out the camera to take pictures. I guess he doesn't want to show off all that raw talent just yet. Thankfully I managed to take a few before he got too put out.

Ringin' in 2011

We spent New Years at the Adams house this year. We ate a crap load of Fondue. It was beyond delicious. We seriously ate for probably 2 hours straight. It was a good night. Played a bunch of games, laughed really hard as usual, stayed up WAY too late and left feeling bloated and had crazy dreams all night from eating so much. It was amazing.

Krista & Chelsey

(K really loved this picture so I had to use it for her ;)

Ben and the McHenrys

The boys

It was special that Daniel wore his Justin Bieber t-shirt

to ring in the New Year. Pure class that guy.

The girls (minus Shanda...where were you?)

ps. I obviously didn't get the grey memo

Christmas 2010

We hosted Christmas at our house this year with the Barker family. It was so nice to have them here and to be able to spend time with them. We had fun doing the regular sort of things...lots of eating, game playing and just having fun hanging out together. It was also fun for Griffin to have his only cousins here too. It took a little bit to learn to share his new toys, but he really does love his cousins and they had a lot of fun playing together.

Ben reading scriptures Christmas Eve

Opening Christmas pajamas

Showing them off with his cousin Owen

Its nearly impossible to get a decent picture of

these 3 busy boys...

Owen (18mths), Isaac (4), Griffin (2)

ps. I really like this picture of Tim ;)

Opening presents from the siblings Christmas Eve

It was so cute after Griffin opened this present from Brian and Rachel he looked at it for a minute

and said, "It's me!"....and it was the cutest picture of him on the beach from their wedding. We love it!

Later after the kids went to bed we brought out the presents. We got G this train table and knew it would blow his mind in the morning. It totally did and he has been OBSESSED with it ever since. He actually didn't open any other presents until hours later that morning. I would like to thank you Mr. train table...my new babysitter, love of my life, BEST money I've ever spent!:)

Grandma & Grandpa Barker

Ben and his precious watch winder. Any of you who know Ben also know this brings him much happiness

Hours later opening his fire truck and other presents

Reading new books with Grandma and Dad

Very Festive

Dan & Chelsey hosted our annual friend Christmas party this year. It was hilarious I must say. Some good white elephants, great food and even better company. Oh and of course some mighty fine sweaters and festive wear as usual.

Here is Chelsey opening her white elephant...which happened to be original "Ben Barker" trading cards. Its a VERY long story that has come about over many years (and I wish I could tell it because it's hilarious....) the moment was priceless and

we were all laughing with tears.

Ben felt super classy all evening. Nothing like a turtleneck to make you feel good.

The boys-

ps. I'm not sure what my husband is doing in this picture.

I'm also not sure why I keep posting pictures like this and embarrassing myself.

I guess if you know him you'll understand :)

The girls