Thankful

I have a lot to be thankful for this year: Here are just a few of my favorites...

1. My family (of course) Healthy bodies, great kids, and a loving husband.

2. My parents-- so much love and support throughout my life. My mom is who I love to talk to, and my dad is my DI lunch buddy. I cannot remember a single volleyball, softball, basketball etc. game where my parents were not there. They are amazing!

3. Freedom- a country where I can live my life the way I want and worship how I want.

4. The Church- we love our ward and are so blessed that it is like a family. Brock has lots of little friends and we just feel so much love. Fabulous!

5. The Cannery- an amazing facility to have so close. Just finished tightening lids on 2000 jars of spaghetti sauce last week but loved it because I got 5 cases!!

6. All of you! Friends and family who make my life so full! I love you!!

Church Pics

A few pics of the family right before we talked in church. Everyone survived, although I did have the sweats. Brock did great too!! What would I do without my little family?? Paige has turned into a major cheeser for pictures too!! Ha!

We love Piggies!

Paige had her first piggies a few days ago, so I thought I would post a pic of my cute baby and her two little piggies!!

Nerdy Mom... Check.

Here are a few things I know:

1. I am a mom- I have 2 kids, I have 2 car seats in my car, my figure is not quite what it used to be, and I usually have food or kid snot somewhere on my clothing.

2. I know I am no longer cool. Occasionally I feel cool when I school some recent high school brats in volleyball, but other than that I am not cool.

3. Mini vans are nerdy.

4. Mini vans are extremely convenient, and once you get inside, they are functional and quite lovely.

This is all setting you up for the fact that I now own a mini van. Just typing this sentence makes my fingers start to shake and I threw up in my mouth a little bit, but other than that, I can say it without passing out.

Yes it's true, the Felders who would NEVER OWN A MINI VAN, do in fact own a mini van. I want to apologize to all of you who I have ever made fun of for owning a mini van (Amy, Sandi, Darice, Paige, Haley and everyone else) and say I am a total hypocrite and mini vans are not that bad. True, they are not cool, but once you can get past that, they are great. Just this last weekend I was jamming to "In the Club" by 50 cent and laughing at how ridiculous I must look in my sweet mini. The Pontiac was starting to have some major issues and we both felt like it was time for the Ponti to go to a better place. So we started looking and found a great deal on an 04' Toyota Sienna. I hope to drive it until the wheels fall off or at least until our loan is paid off!! But, if we become loaded in the next few years, bye bye sweet mini, and I am taking an upgrade to a Lincoln Navigator. Until then, we will remain poor, and driving the oh so sweet mini.

Man Date Part 2

A few weeks ago, my parents took the beastie boys out for a Man Date. Since this was #2, they were pros and immediately knew to take them to McDonalds and the park to minimize the chaos. The boys had a great time with Grandma and Papa and of course, love to play together. Brock is very lucky to have his cousin Huddy as his best buddy. The two of them together are priceless!! Thanks mom and dad for making memories with the boys-- you guys are awesome!!

The Never Ending Birthday!

Round 1: Brock's Birthday Party in California, complete with giant Cookie Cake! YUM!

Grandma Linda, Aunt Carlotta, Brock and cousin Shaun
Round 2: Felder/Sonju Party at the house- lots of cousins, lots of cake!
I decorated the door with some photos--Cute!

Round 3: Kid Party- neighbors, friends, future wives (Morgi!)

Lots of candy, lots of cake, lots of sugar, and then send them home!!

So there you have it-- 3 rounds of birthday fun and I am pooped!! At least I have a whole year to recover and prepare myself for his 5th birthday!

My Baby Turns 4!

Holy cow! How time flies! My big bubba is turning 4 today!! Coming into the world at a whopping 10 pounds 4 ounces, he sure left his mark, and has continued to do so. Brock has always been a big boy... and all boy too! Brock loves to swing, ride his big wheel, color with chalk, and play with his friends. He loves to play with Paige, play memory, and especially loves to read books!! I love to spend time with Brock listening to him boss me around, and I love being his buddy. We have a very special connection that I am very grateful for and I love every part of him... his laugh, his button nose, his chicken legs, the way he smells after a bath, his Fred Flinstone feet, and most of all, just loving my Bubba. (I am crying now) Whenever I was younger and I would tell my parents that I loved them more than they loved me, they would always say, "Just wait til you have your own, and then you'll understand." Now that I have my own, I do understand, and there is no greater love for me than my children (and my husband). I've had 4 great years with Brock, I hope to have many more, and of course we'll always have eternity!! Happy Birthday Bubba!

Halloween Extravaganza!

Another fun halloween with the family only this year was 1,000 times more stressful than ever. With Brock's school parties, kid parties, and ward parties, I was POOPED!! Here are some of our halloween pics! Enjoy!

I was an 80's aerobics instructor. Note: the rockin side pony, fanny pack, and swatch watch.

Paigey was a little indian.
Brock was an Army guy!

Pretty scary huh??

And the grossest of all, Chris was a nerd. It was physically disturbing for me to see him like this. His bow-tie and pocket protector really made the outfit, not to mention the socks and sandals (sorry Mike, but this is not ultra fashionable-- you can still work it though!)

Yuck!

Brock looks like he is stoned in this one but I think it is hilarious. Can you tell he is ultra excited to go trick or treating?

And of course, the cousin picture. Thanks Aunt Leslye for the rockin' chili!