BIG LAKE WEEKEND!!!!!

Big Lake right now!!! Look @ the view.  It is so awesome, this was Friday night.  My mom was speechless.  We just sat back taking it all in.

As you can see the lake still has ice on it, but it still looks so pretty!!!

My mom with the kids @ Big Lake

We always need a FAMILY photo.   Look @ the sky, it was an awesome weekend. Did I say that already? :)

Okay, for those of you with weak tummies don't read on!! LOL  For those of you that know my husband he loves the out doors and hunting too!   So he shot a "porcupine" that was trying to chew his way into the cabin!!!

And as he taught the kids, anything you shoot you have to eat. No it doesn't taste like chicken.

It tastes a little like beef but looks like a rabbit on the grill. 

Here is another creature my kids were subjected to this weekend (no we didn't eat it - LOL).  We heard these frogs all weekend and I thought they were birds and Rick said they were frogs.  So he waited until everyone was in bed last night and hunted one down. We also saw a fox but he was too quick for us to get a picture while eating breakfast.

Field Trip on the Alaska Rail Road

Abuela and Olivia went on a train ride from Anchorage to Wasilla.  My mom had a great time (she recommends the ride).  Thank you to all the Grace Moms that made my Mom feel welcomed:) 

This is the Conductor with Olivia, he was very nice and my mom said he enjoys his job!

My mom with Olivia on the train.  They had to sit at the top, what a view.

Olivia with her friends Katie and Beca.  Enjoying the ride and having FUN.

After the train ride they went to the park, Carl's Jr. for lunch, and then the bus ride home.

My mom was a trooper to go with Olivia on her train trip.  My mom was tired when she got home.   Thanks mom:)

Worker Bees

So Olivia comes home with this photo in her hand to give to me.  What does this mother do, almost cry:(  Why do they do this to us.  I look @ this photo and think 12 years from now (which is going to go by fast) I will be looking @ her photo from high school.  She looks so cute I just had to brag as a proud Mother. She will be in the 1st grade next year and she already can  read, add, subtract, memorizing Bible verses, and talkes to us about her favorite President and why. It is just amazing what the teachers can teach them:)  

Well my mom has been helping me decorate the family room (I love the help).  In Texas my mom does Inter Decorating for every one and I just get to see the photos of the beautiful work she does.  So now I have her for myself, we have painted my MATS that go in frames (did not know you could do that) colors that go with my decor.  We have been hanging other pictures throughout the house it has been a lot of FUN!!!!!  Its so funny how you can go to anyones home and tell them what would look good on there walls,  but when it comes to your home your stumped (go figure). 

These photos were given to us and was not sure if I liked them.  My mom had the perfect spot for them in the entry way.  Every time I pass them I like the way it looks.

I had these frames for a long time they had pictures of Sun, Moon, and Star.  I picked some photos of the kids, taken by my girlfriend Ronalyn, cut and pasted them over the painting. Pretty cool right? I thought so:)

My wall of FAMILY PHOTOS is something I have always wanted when I got my own home.  

My mom even made my curtains for the windows.

This is a garden trestle; we sawed off the legs nailed it up and I painted the green circles.  Can you believe that. She is amazing!!!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Here's a few pictures of our wonderful day.  It started off yesterday with flowers from the kids. Today I was surprised with two cards and a gift certificate to Allure Day Spa and Hair Design. My husband also got a gift certificate for my mom, so we can have a girl's day at the spa.

Last but not least, my husband prepared a great seafood boil for a late lunch after church.

Olivia's Birthday

Well where do I start.   Olivia is 6 years old today (my baby girl).  We decided to just buy a sheet of cake and let Olivia decorate it herself.  The theme was horses (Spirt the movie).  She had a lot of fun doing it by herself. 

What a great job we have water, grass, trees and horses.  I think we covered everything!!   We surprised Olivia by taking her and her girl friends to a horse ranch.  As you can see the theme was Western and all the girls dress the part.  Olivia had no idea she also getting a new bike!!!!

So all the girls got a ride on the horse and the little white pony!

Six years old was the cut-off for riding the horse, so Olivia was able to ride both.

Hunter even got to ride the pony.  He was so excited can't you let he is cheese-in from ear to ear!!! 

Olivia looks so grown up in this picture, I just had to share it, but I would never tell her that!!:)

Mom and I in the Kitchen

When ever my mom comes to visit the tradition is we sit and make a hispanic sauce we use on all the different dishes we make, its called sofrito.  We add this to meat, beans, and anything you like.  It is time consuming but the out come is awesome. It will keep in the freezer and you use it as you need it. 

The smell of peppers,  cilantro, garlic, and onions fill the house as the kids come up to see what mom and Abuela are doing.

After all the hard work dad comes home eats the great food (stew meat over rice and stir fried cabbage w/green beans). YUM!!  Then off to the park w/dad to play on the monkey bars

and lets not forget the swings.  What a way to end a great day w/family:)

Well tomorrow is Olivia's birthday and before we put her to bed she informs us that if we haven't warped her gifts that we should do it tonight. Then she asked  "or did you get my gift already?"  Kids are so funny sometimes.  I think its great that is all she is worried about is if we have gifts for her.  Too sweet:)

My MOM is here:)

It has been about 2years since I have seen my mom.   I was so excited when I got her call @ 7:30pm to tell me she had arrived.  I had butterflies in my stomach but I was all better after the hug and kiss on the check  a few tears:)  Sometimes a big girl needs the touch of her mother it was all good.  So don't we look alike or what!!!! @ the airport

When we got to my house Rick had the kids hide from me (they thought I went to the store) and when my mom pulled back the covers off of them (they thought it was me) my mom said Boo!  and Olivia was the first one to call out Abuela (grandmom in spanish) and Hunter was still in shock but then gave her a hug too.  It was awesome:) Well we have a long and busy week so will head to bed now!!!!