All our Lovely neighbors

Living in Utah most of my life made me appreciate
every squirrel, chipmunk, and rabbit. Of course there
was the occasional skunk and deer sighting but not very
often. But being here in Tennessee it's not uncommon to
see these little critters roaming the yard. This lovely
picture is of a member of the ground hog family who
lives under our deck. They mostly keep to themselves
except for when they are hungry for my poor herb garden.
In which case they help themselves

We had a new neighbor move in a few days ago. He's rather
rude though. I don't much like him...mostly beacause he digs
through our garbage can. I heard him rustling through the trash
at 4 this morning and finally got up to put an end to his mooching.
The only thing I could think of doing was to put an enormous rock
on top of the can. Our garbage can lid actually snaps shut but this
little guy figured out how to get in anyway. Racoons are very smart!
I haven't managed to get a pic of him but I did look up racoon
recipes online! Roast racoon with sweet potato dressing...yum!

Our newest friend perched himself right on the side of

the house. I looked on line to find out a little more about

this little buddy. He's called a Luna Moth. And he won't eat the

garbage or my herbs because it turns out that adult Luna Moths

don't actually have mouths! They basically live to mate. Then they

die after about a week of that. I told James about

him while I was on the phone with him. He thought it would be

a great idea if I caught the thing so that he could inspect it himself.

He's just a big kid at heart! So, I caught him and put him in a tupperware.

I accidentaly cut one of his legs off in my hurry to put the lid on.

That still kinda makes me sick when I think of it! Blah!!

Any way...that's the neighborhood. Unfortunately the best neighbor

is on his way out...then again, the others might be on their way out too!

A park full of adventure

Ah, the park. There's no better place to be on
a beautiful spring day! Of course with four small
children it's no easy task! Picture this: With the
days getting warmer and the kids getting more
creative/destructive, I decide to be brave and
venture out....alone! The park seems a harmless
destination. So I load the four children 5 and under
into the van. I'm undeturred even though the
two most vocal (Ev and Cait) are already screaming
at who knows what, I drive on. As I'm driving
I think to myself, "hey, why not park on the other side
today, it may be closer." Uh....wrong...but not to worry.
It's a lovely day for a walk and I've got my trusty double
stroller on hand. Good thinking Amanda! So we all pile
out of the van for a nice little stroll through the park.
After only a few threats the girls happily skip off the street
and onto the grass. I have the kids sit down to take a few
pictures. It turns out that it's a bit blustery so I give up
after a few vain attempts and settle for the hair in the
face shots. And we're off again. After a little while I realize
how difficult it is to push a double stroller over grassy hills
and gravel walk ways. Huffing, puffing and few threats
later we finally make it to the actual play equipment.
Yay! Or so I thought. Well, the boy is pretty quiet and even
tempered but he sure is mischieveous! Off he went and off I
went right behind him...with a baby on my hip no less. After
galavanting for a while the boy settles on the swings. Phew!!
15 long minutes later I'm ready to start back home but the
young'ns will have none of that. So we swing and swing and swing.
The babies love it. I love catching my breath...and the girls..well
they're loving running around like crazy people.

Fun day? Exahusting! But worth every minute!

This is my Ev

I love, love, love this set of pictures! These were
taken nearly 2 years ago and I still die laughing
when I look at them! This is my Ev...what more
can I say?!

The darndest things!

You know, kids really do do the darndest things.
I feel great accomplishment when I actually manage
to get good shots of all their craziness! Of course I
always send and share the "beautiful" ones...but
really these are among my very favorites! They never
fail to make me chuckle. So...here they are in all their glory!

Just Chillin' Baby

Believe it or not, but this little girl actually sleeps
and bathes like this....I love it! It cracks me up
every time. One would think that I'd get used to
it but finding her like this when she's napping still
tickles me to death. She totally looks like she's
just hangin'....chillin' if you will. What a funny baby!

10 Years ago

Well my aunt had the audacity to tag me. ( It's ok Kristi, I'm not really mad) From the gist of her blog I gather that I'm supposed to tell you all what I was doing 10 years ago, 5 things on my to do list, my favorite snacks, and what I would do if I were to become a billionaire.

Ten Years ago

Ten years ago I was fixin' to hop out of my freshman clothes and into my sophmore ones (high school). Oddly enough my husband was graduating from the same high school. I'm glad he didn't know me then...I was so akward and weird. phew! Wait, I might be a little weird still ........oh well. I think April was when I went to my first state solo & ensemble competition. I remember we (my family) went to Idaho for my aunt Mariann's wedding and then drove back in a rush so that I could sing.....good times.

List of things to do

1. Laundry Laundry Laundry (always)
2. Eye appointment (4:15)
3. Feed children
4. Register Evelyn for kindergarten
5. Clean my entire house!!!

Stuff my face foods

1. Milk choclate Lindt truffles (oh so good)
2. Hagen daz Dulce de leche ice cream
3. Honey Crisp apples
4. tootsie rolls
5. home-made rolls

Billionaire Amanda

I honestly don't know what I'd do. I think money changes people but I would hope that I would use the money for good and put a good portion into an untouchable savings account. I'd definately pay our house, van, and student loans off. And maybe I would go back to school to learn some stuff ( maybe I'd learn some grammer!). I'd probably want to go on a nice vacation....or two....yeah..one with the kids, one without.

I choose to tag: Amy, Nikki, Kami, Amber, Laura, Sharon, and Calley. Have fun!

What the?!

A few days ago I was sitting in the living room
waiting for the girls to get dressed for bed. I'm
always anxious for bedtime to come around.
It seems to be the only time that I have to
actually sit un-assaulted. Well there I am patiently
waiting to get on with the rest of the "routine"
when a flash of bare nakedness streaks past me.
Then I hear a crazed maniacal little laugh break
through my confusion...it was Caitlin with underpants,
clearly, on the wrong half of her body! What the?!!
I couldn't be mad...not at all. All I could think to do
was snap a few. I may have to keep these pics as
blackmail when the time comes...
BA HA HA HA!!! (my own maniacal evil laugh)!