Baby Boy is here...

Yes, I am a little slow and have been a slacker on my blogging, but I had an excuse.  I was uncomfortably pregnant :)  But...not any more!

Our fourth and final baby arrived happy and healthy on April 15th at 8:59pm.
He was the biggest of them all weighing 8lbs 7.5oz and 21in long.

Bode Hayes Sparks

Bode, like Bode Miller (the downhill skier), but not named after him :)  and, Hayes, my maiden name.



So far, so good.  We are all so happy to have this little bundle around, to kiss and cuddle.  Can't wait to watch him grow, but I am happy to hold him in my arms for now :)

More pictures to come, with a real camera, not my phone.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Most of all the other beautiful things in life come by twos and threes, by dozens and hundreds.  Plenty of roses, stars, sunsets, rainbows, brothers and sisters, aunts and cousins, comrades and friends - but only one mother in the whole world.  ~Kate Douglas Wiggin

And, there is no other mom in the whole world like you!  There are so many reasons that you are one of a kind!

You have accomplished so much, and have encouraged me to do the same!  Your "can do" attitude is an inspiration to many.  And, your smile and laughter are contagious to all!!
Thank you for being YOU!

I love you, mom, and hope you have a fabulous day!  Wish I could be there to celebrate (so do the kids)!

 

Valentines in Vegas!

Not really, but we (just me and B) and the Gunnells had a fun weekend getaway the few days before V day!  It was super quick, but so much fun!

I wish I could post some pics, but of course, the one time I pull out my camera, just as we sit down for La Reve, B says "no not here, we'll take one later", but...never did :(  Not a single picture of our weekend in Vegas.  Typical.

The room at the Wynn was great, the shopping is always fabulous (especially when the husband is in a good mood)!  And, the food, awesome, sea bass at Tao, crepes at the Venetian, and some yummy frozen chocolate drink at Caesers.

The two bummers, okay three, Milos (a new restraunt in the Cosmopolitan hotel), over priced for the service we received (and we ate an actual fish, tail and head on plate?), didnt get to see Garth :(...and B did not win any sort of Jackpot!

Guess we will have to go back, at least to see Garth!!

Thank you Aunt Alison and Nana for watching the 3 monkeys (sick monkeys)!!

Current read...

I've had this book now for a couple years, but have not picked it up until now.  With the movie is coming out soon (April 22nd), starring one of my favorites, Reese Witherspoon, I thought now would be a good time to start.

Thanks to B for being a good example and reading at night instead of watching tv, I decided to get back into reading..its been a while since I dove into a good novel!

Gotta love a good book!

The Disney Wonder

We are back...the kids had a blast and we had a really good time :)  7 day Disney cruise to the Mexican Riviera and a whole lot of food...not so great food.

Getting excited...

 We finally made it onto the ship...yahoo!

 Dessert of choice..everynight!

 Greyson's too :)

 Nice shot, Brecky!

 Breakfast with the Disney characters....

 I think she is a little scared...check out the tear on her chin!

 We're not scared.

 I am freaked out by these Disney characters!

 Thanks dad for waiting an hour in line so that our princess could see the disney princesses!  Sorry the memory card was full after snow white!

 The weather on the ship was a little chilly, but this did not stop Greyson from testing out the water slide!

 Found some nice shades in Cabo.

 Now, this is the sweet life...in Puerto Vallarta!

 Does it get any better than this....Orange Fanta in the hot tub?!

 Surfing, "G" style.

 Nice hair :)  Love you buddy!

 Gotta love Pirate night at Animator's Palate!

 Happy 32 "B"!!  We love you!!

Always in the mood for a pic!

Good times, with great people!  Thanks for the memories :) 

Note to self, the next cruise I go on....I will not be 29 weeks pregnant, nor will it be a 7 day Disney, maybe a Mediterranean :) 

But, that being said I am so glad we had the opportunity to do this as a family accompanied with awesome friends!!

Student of Character

I have a feeling this won't be the last time Dreya receives an award or certificate for her character. 
Branden and I are so proud of our princess Dreya and all of her accomplishments, but to have her recognized in front of all of Greenfield Elementary brought tears to my eyes!
We are so lucky to have this angel in our lives!  Way to go Deedo, our "student of character."  We love you!

Funny Moment...I love you D & G!

Thanks to those special moments when I can sit back, watch, and listen to my kids getting along with one another and even laugh with one another that I realize how much I love them!

One of those moments happened last night...

I was making some dinner, and the kids were playing in the family room.  Dreya (my total artist), asked Greyson(my total boy) if she good color a picture of him.  To my surprise and I think hers too, he said "OK". 

She then asked him to sit on a barstool in the kitchen, she twisted him to one side, uncrossed his ankles, and put his arms to his sides.  She quickly sketched him (as you will see the sketch below), and then said, "here Greyson you can have it."

He made a quick comment that it looked like a girl (I think it was the pink)?  But, the next couple comments were what made this one of those "special moments":

Greyson says, "Dreya why am I wearing a crown on my head!?"
Dreya replies so matter of fact, "Greyson that is not a crown, that is your mohawk."
Greyson thinks for a moment while looking at the portrait and thinking about what he looks like, realizing, that, yes, in fact he does have a mohawk, and says, "oh,...OK."

I think he was now satisfied with the portrait. 

They did not know that I was listening, until they heard me laughing, and asked if I could see the portrait.  I told Dreya that her portrait was very good, and I told Greyson that that was very nice of him to let Dreya color a picture of him. 

Dreya then asked me if we could frame it...I think I just might.

I am so glad that these kids are in my life!  As crazy as they make me at times, and as crazy as they are most of the time, I do not know what my life would be like without them.  I love you guys!!