Joys!

    We had lots of 'joy' this week! Isaac is getting into the routine of working three days a week and apparently a 5-hour shift was just a bit much.

The joy of being a working teenager.

    I bought a couple new lamps and McClane helped me put them together and couldn't have been more proud of himself and the new lamps.

The joy of using the lamp you helped assemble.

     McClane is one step closer to getting his expander fitted. (The metal rings had to be sized just perfectly and next week the expander will be attached to them.)

The joy of orthodontia.

    Charlie and her friends went nuts with the sidewalk chalk and this was by far my favorite creation.

The joy of chalk handprints.

    And Charlie FINALLY lost her first tooth. She's been working on this 'loose' tooth for a couple months now.

The joy of loosing your FIRST TOOTH!

    Our spring break has officially begun and even though we don't have huge plans there is a camping trip planned for the end of the week and a few days at home alone for me! I never thought I'd be so excited to be left home alone!

Golden Child.

This is has been a slow week.  McClane had spacers put in his teeth and impressions made in preparation for his expander and then braces. While we waited at the orthodontist we entertained ourselves with snapchat filters. McClane was a very good sport with all the awkwardness and discomfort of the work done in his mouth. He's a little anxious and excited for what comes next. I just hope he continues to be cooperative and happy during and after his visits. And just to brag on him a bit, he's my best reader and speller out of seven kids, so far. He generally gets nearly perfect scores on his spelling tests and his reading skills are beyond any I've seen with his older siblings, it's such a treat to go to a parent/teacher conference and hear positive feedback for a change!

      McClane's a rockstar! And if you weren't aware, Spring has officially arrived, at least according to the calendar. Actually the weather has been very spring like and I'm loving every minute of it!

A lot of cousin fun!

     More fun was had at the hotel pool before we headed home. The rubber duck was a hit!

     The kids had a great time visiting with their Smith cousins in Meridian. We also had a yummy lunch at the Tasty Freeze.

    And Cole's baptism was awesome! His buddy Steven was baptized too and his mom went over the top with all the fun "Great to be 8" ideas! It was a great afternoon and we're so happy we could be there to support Cole on his special day.

Pinterest ideas taken to a new level!

     The Baker boys are the cutest!

And that's how Ford eats a gum ball.

Yummy food and ice cream with lots of fun toppings.

Blake didn't know I was stalking him. He's so CUTE!

    And Ford may have had a minor 'accident' and some day this photo will be a fun reminder of how much fun a toddler being potty trained can be.

    And you can't have the cousins together without some more filter fun on Snapchat.

   These two couldn't be cuter together.

Cousins only a couple weeks apart.

     And our weekend is starting off with a few 'date'.

Isaac and Bobbi headed to Morp! (Isaac's first date/dance.)

Charlie with her buddy, JT at the Curiosity museum.

     So that's the weeks highlights. Spring is just days away and the weather is promising to warm up a little. The trampoline was put back together today so that should keep the kids outside over the next few days. (It also attracts hoards of neighborhood kids but it is what it is.) I'm definitely ready for spring weather, winter can go already!

GrandDAUGHTER! and lots more!

     Kayli and Tanner had a gender reveal party Sunday night at their apartment complex clubhouse and I was thrilled to see pink confetti fall from the balloon! We can't wait to meet baby girl Wendel in August!

Such a nice clubhouse but cleaning up pink confetti was a bit overwhelming!

    Brock and McClane were both happy to go back to G.O.A.T. to get their hair cut and Charlie was happy to hang out and wait for them and enjoy a few free snacks.

McClane was mostly annoyed with Charlie.

    I'll never understand why these kids love to make themselves 'fat'.

Seriously!

    And MIRACLE!! Isaac finally has a job! Little Ceasars saw the name Kmetzsch and gave him a job, pretty much. Thank goodness Kayli left a good impression there. Isaac's pretty excited for his new freedom and independence and I'm happy he's finally getting out of the house and away from his devices and will have money to pay his car insurance.

     Greg, the four youngest kids and I, made the six hour drive to Idaho to attend Cole's baptism and also take a little break from reality with a stay in a hotel for a couple nights. The kids were pretty stoked about swimming in the hotel pool! Mark and Isaac stayed behind to work.

Fun place!

A few blow up toys to enjoy in the pool.

    We got to see some cute chicks and ducklings at the local 'farm' store.

     Tad and Megan hosted us for dinner and served the yummiest homemade pizza I think I've ever had. We also enjoyed all the cute boys!

So YUMMY!

    And we couldn't resist a little snapchat filter fun!

Charlie, Ford, Cole and Grandma. So fun/silly!

      Tomorrow should be just as fun and we can't wait to see cute Cole be 'dunked'! Family fun is always the best fun!

Before and After

     After a long 4/5 months it was time to say goodbye to the beard, the bushy, very grey, beard and back to a sexy bit of scruff. He's handsome no matter what but I love the scruff! The kids weren't very happy but obviously he can grow it back out if he wants to. He did admit his face has been cold the past few days but thankfully Spring is only 19 days away!!

      On a side note, Isaac had an interview at Little Ceasars today and goes back tomorrow for orientation so I'm pretty sure he's employed and that couldn't have happened at a more opportune time. I literally had hidden his tablet just this morning because I told him all devices would be taken away indefinitely if he didn't have a job by the end of February. Lucky! Once he gets that first paycheck and can start driving and getting out on his own a bit more he's going to become addicted to his freedom. I'm just looking forward to his forced time away from devices! Oh teenagers!!!!