Mason Cash

I decided it was time to let little Mace start practicing with eating utensils. He couldn't have been more enthralled with anything else. He was so proud of himself. Here are his results:

ONE HAPPY-BUT MESSY BOY!

ATTENTION!

*** ATTENTION***

NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOUR 2-YEAR OLD UNATTENDED...EVEN FOR 2 MINUTES-THIS IS WHAT COULD HAPPEN!

Addie was watching a movie in our room and found my lip gloss in my scripture bag on my bedside table. Cody went in to check on her and all I heard him say in an onery tone was "Go show your mother!" She came running down the hall, happy as could be saying "Look Mom! Happy face!" AAAAHHHH!

Into the Wild...

We went to the Zoo...and Auntie came too!

We saw zebras...

a fake rhinoceros, and a REAL one- too!

Giraffe's were near lunch time and our attention span was SHORT!

Daddy and daughter got their pictures taken next to a BIG BUTT! (notice to the right of Addie : ) )

When Addie saw the Elephants she immediatley started singing the "Elephant Song" from Barney

Best BuddiesAnd finally...the favorite of the day...The Carousel!

EXHAUSTED!

Lately...

Nothing too much has been happening lately at our household. We did pot some plants-which turned out to be a family activity, as you will see from the pictures. Cody would unwrap and hand me the flowers, I would pot them, Addie would move dirt from pot to pot to keep busy, and Mason did all the taste testing. Diesel would also get as close to me as possible without sitting on my lap and just STARE at me. I don't know what was wrong, but he was a little clingy to his mama!

Also, it is amazing how much fun can be had out of a $7 dollar little pink chair. Wise investment, if you ask me.

Mace giving the doggy planter a kiss

"Dirt work"

Notice Mason's dirt mustache...yuck!

My boys. Yes, Cody shaved the ol' goatee off. He is now growing it back!

Mason practicing walking. He is almost 15 months old and has just barely started taking a few steps at a time!

Just practicing a gymnastic balancing exercise

My baby boy!


We have been trying new hairstyles lately. Addie calls this her "Mickey Mouse" hair-do!

Mother's Day

How's this for a Mother's Day...I had to give a talk in church. AAAHHH! It actually didn't turn out so bad. In fact I really needed to prepare that talk so I could be reminded that what I am doing as a mother is priceless. I, more often than not, feel like I am totally inadequate for the monumental task of Mom. Keeping a house clean is hard enough, but to teach my children how to be responsible people, help them learn to choose the right, love one another, etc, etc. is overwhelming. But reading the scriptures and reading the words of our prophets was so awesome...It was like I had my own little cheering squad...even if it was on paper! Being a Russell...I think I am so hard on myself to do everything and do it perfect...we have this weird, innate drive in us. I usually end up feeling like a failure so often...especially with potty training recently. I am SO grateful to my very sweet honey. Day in and day out he is always comforting me and pointing out all of the great things that I do...AND telling me to quit being so hard on myself. "It will all come and it will all work itself out" he says. I love him for understanding me and giving me ridiculous amounts of emotional support as a Mom. I couldn't have found a greater, more understanding hubby than I him...I just love him so much! Anywhoo, for all you Mom's that often feel the way I do...it's okay! There isn't alot of glitz and glamour, our days are filled with changing bums, cleaning up poop, making beds, brushing teeth, cleaning up spills, doing laundry, meal time, bath time, bed time, story time, family home evening (which usually seems like a disaster), comforting sad children, potty training, runny noses, and puke. I could go on and on. But what a gift we have to be able to spend so much time with our kids and love them and teach them and be an example to them. I missed so bad not having my mom around much when I was little because she had to work, and so I appreciate being a stay-at-home Mom just that much more. I love my kids so much and we are so lucky to have such special, happy, healthy little spirits under our care. I just love my family and my life!

Trampa's House

"Trampa"...that is what Addie calls her Grandpas. Today we went over to Trampa Russell's house and played. I absolutley love living so close. We got to see the brand new baby horse and pet him, watch Dad shoe a 30 year old horse (poor old fellow...the horse-I mean : )), and play. I sat with Mason and just watched Dad work and decided to go check on Addie. She was 1/2 way up the mountainside on some journey. I told her to come down...but then left her alone. She was trying to climb up on her feet and hands with her bumb in the air and she was just burnin' rubber...so I wasn't to concerned she would be headed UP. After her descent, she sat on the 4-wheeler and pretended to take Max, the cat, for a ride -which was pretty cute. I love to watch make-believe. Max is Dad's new cat that got thrown out of someone's house because they had a preemie baby with respiratory problems and so of course, Andy saved him and gave him to Dad. But he does have to stay in the barn..which has been an adjustment. So the only time he comes out of his cozy barrel is when Addie comes over and plays. It's pretty cute to just sit and watch them. Addie loves Max just as much as he loves her!

After Trampa got done with his work, he took us for a 4-wheeler ride...and Diesel followed along. Which is good...the big fatty. I need to do that every day and whip is lard butt into shape! By the time we were done, Mason was asleep sitting up front with Grandpa and Addie was almost asleep with her head in my lap! 4 wheeler rides are just mezmerizing for my kids. When we went to cut Christmas trees, Addie fell asleep on the 4 wheeler about the first 10 minutes!

It was so fun to spend a few hours with Dad and see him work. He is the toughest 70 year old guy I know. I can hardly pick all 4 of a horses feet out, let alone shoe them!
Now...peace and quiet. Aaaaahhh! I love nap time!