Matthew vs. the Accord

How many times have we as parents told our kids, "don't leave your bikes out on the driveway...they'll get ran over!" I know I've said it a lot, and I also know that when I say it, I've never been worried about the car...just the bike. I've never yet actually ran one over, although it's been close a couple of times. Andy, however, is not as fortunate as I apparently am.

A few days ago, Andy got into his car and drove off to work...at least he tried to drive off to work. He got into the Accord, or the "race car" as Matthew calls it and pulls forward...clunk clunk. oops. Matthew's bike was in the way and got ran over. Andy got out to investigate and I'm sure was shocked and surprised at what he found. Matthew's bike seems to have inherited his super-human strength because his bike came through just fine. Unscathed, actually. Andy's "race car?" The poor Accord was not as fortunate in the encounter.
As you can see...Matthew is standing in front of his bike which is just fine...training wheels and all, however in his hands are pieces of the bumper and the turn signal of the race car.

Ahhh...Matthew. He did feel really bad and asked if Daddy's car was going to be okay throughout the entire day that this happened. But his concerned feelings didn't keep him from cruising around the yard splashing through mud puddles at mach 10 on his awesome bike.

We bought his bike from a yard sale for 8 dollars...looks like they don't make cars like they used to.

Stuck on Repeat?

Taylor and Rachel were such a funny pair when they were little. They kept me so busy, they were always running everywhere. They are 18 months apart, and as soon as Rachey could walk (which was at 10 months) she was running after Taylor and was his little shadow. The trouble those two caused...oh boy. but they were and still are good friends, which I love...and they are still getting into scrapes and causing me stress! But just when I think that I've got this little duo under control...

enters the next dynamic duo. Matthew and Lainey. Oh boy, if I thought Tay and Rachey kept me busy...they were just warming me up for the real challengers! Ha ha!

Just like the other two, these two are good buddies most of the time, and Lainey is Matthew's little shadow, running after him as fast as her little legs can carry her. And they are always busy doing something...many things which make mommy crazy half the time!

Whew! Thank goodness we have Brooklynn around to keep us all sane!

Family Photo Shoot 2010

I've used some of these photos in some of my most recent posts, but I'm finally getting around to posting all of my favorites from the photo shoot we did last October. We went out after the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference and were fighting rain showers...but they turned out so good. I am loving all of the fun shots that our photographer caught of the kids, she is awesome! Sweet baby Lainah...not yet two years old.
Me and my girls

Ahh....sweethearts...

Matthew being silly...as always

My favorite picture of Matthew...love the dimpled hands and fingers

I love how his hair is so bright white in this picture. That's what it does in the sunlight.

Just having fun together

My handsome boys

And our cute girls...having fun with the telephone. Uh oh...

Brooklynn Belle taking a phone call....

I love this one of Tay. He is such a handsome boy.

Okay, I love this one too. Hard to believe he's starting middle school next year.

Handsome little Matthew. He thought this truck was so AWESOME!

And our sweet Rachel

trying out some fun poses

Brooklynn always giggling

Such a cute little 1st grader!

Lainah had so much fun pushing this stroller around. I love her little tongue sticking out in this one.

Love the dimpled elbows.

This is not posed. Lainah just climbed up there and started playing around. It was too cute.

I love the cheeser on Matthew's face. All five kiddos.

Here are the boys in front of our red barn...they grabbed the hammer and the football on their own, and it just cracked me up.

Tay had just finished up with his first football season and wanted a picture of himself and his football. This section of the barn is now gone so I'm glad we got documentation of it.

The traditional family pose. This section of barn is now gone too! We're slowly clearing off the land...ready for new and bigger projects!

I love this one of Andy and I. I'm so thankful for my beautiful, wonderful family and love them all so much. They are all so full of life, and personality...and make life very, very full.

Funny little Matthew

Andy and I are yet again in the middle of home remodeling projects. I look forward to the day when I will finally own a house that does not need to be updated...that I can remodel because I choose to, because I'm bored with the decor, and not because I have to in order to make it livable. Ahh.....
Well, I was working on a bathroom fixture the other day and needed a phillips head screwdriver. I called for 3 year old Matthew and asked him if he could please bring me a screwdriver because he usually knows where all of Daddy's tools are. He said, "Yep!" and ran off. A few minutes later he came back carrying....Andy's powerdrill.

I just had to laugh! He is such a boy! Forget hand tools Mom! What was I thinking anyway!? I got the job done much faster with a "real" tool.

Love that little guy!