Easter

What!!!??  A blog post??  I know, I have been busy ok!  Since there has been a few months in between posts I kind of got freaked out by how much I missed and so then I wasn't sure I was going to keep it up.  Then I was looking at some of my books that I have made out of these posts and I LOVE THEM so I decided to get back to it.  So, here is Easter.  That is as far back as I am going because that is what was on my camera.  Lazy? Maybe..... Anyway, we had a fun Easter.  Nothing really big. We colored Easter eggs, the Easter bunny came and we had dinner.  Standard, but fun none the less.

 

 

Shade found his basket

Jax found his too!

Checking out what everyone else got

 



Blaze found his eggs the Easter bunny hid

 

 



Ayns was pretty proud of what she found

 

 



My mom made us a Bunny cake every year, so Aynslee helped me keep the tradition alive.  She added the whiskers.

School 2012

NNNOOO!!! I HATE the first day of school.  I seriously have a harder time with things than my kids do.  I get a sick stomach and can't sleep and cry all day.  I LOVE having my kids home with me all day and I MISS them so much when they go back.  This year was really hard because Aynslee started Kindergarten this year.  Now it is only Blaze and I home all day together.  I thought he would have a hard time being alone, but so far he seems to love it.  I think he likes playing with all the toys he is not suppose to and all the extra attention from me.  Back to the start of school......Jax again didn't want me to walk him in, so I just dropped him off as usual.  No big deal for him, he was good to go.  Next, I took Shade and Aynslee to their school.  I walked them in and took Aynslee to the gym where the Kindergarteners meet for the first few minutes of school.  I got her settled in and took Shade to his class.  He was excited and scared, but walked in like a 20 year old and never looked back.  So, after being rejected again, I went back to see how Ayns was doing.  The whole morning before school she was SO excited and couldn't stop talking.  When I went back to the gym she was as white as a ghost and wouldn't say a word and was just looking around like she was in another world.  I watched her for a minute before they led her class out.  I gave her one final hug and that seemed to make it a little better for the both of us.  I walked out of gym to my car strong and as soon as the door shut, I sobbed like a little baby.  I called my mom and she thought someone had died. I pretty much cried off and on all day.  Poor Blaze had to deal with a crazy mom his first day alone. 

When they got off the bus that afternoon, they all had HUGE smiles on their faces and I could finally relax again.  Things were good!!!  They all loved lunch and recess the best.  They have great teachers.  I think now that the first day is over, 2012-2013 will be a great year.  We are all looking forward to seeing how much they grow.

 Jackson- 4th grade

 Shade- 2nd Grade

 Aynslee- Kindergarten

 I had to get a picture with my little girl before she left me.

Blaze was NOT happy that they were leaving him all day.

I think he just wanted to ride the bus too.

B-2 Graduation!

Way back in June (I know, I am SO far behind on my posts), Zach graduated B-2 training.  This is HUGE!!!!!  Zach put so many LLLOOONNNGGG hours into this training and such hard work.  I get to be proud and also add that not only did he graduate, he graduated as the #1 pilot in his class as well as distinguished graduate.  EVERY single pilot in any class wants these spots, and to be able to receive both is amazing.  I am so so proud of Zach and all that he does.  He is an awesome pilot, husband and father.  Only a few more things need to get done before he is mission qualified which means he will be ready to be deployed at any time.  Not that we are looking forward to that, but that means he is legit.  The goal for every pilot.  Way to go Z-ROY!!!

 The kids hanging out at the graduation

 Zach receiving one of his awards from the squadron commander

 My super talented pilot husband



My cute family after graduation.

Zach is awesome and got ME flowers for HIS graduation.  How sweet is that??

Kansas City Temple

The Kansas City Temple Open House is going on right now!  I cannot explain how exciting it is to be part of an Open House.  My calling in church is Ward Temple Coordinator.  When they first called me as that I was very suprised.  That is kind of a boring calling I thought. BUT I had NO idea how much goes into an Open House.  I have been working like crazy getting enough people to help work in the Temple.  Because of this great calling, Zach and I were lucky enough to be asked to give tours of the inside of the temple!!  We went last night and for 6 hours we gave tours of this amazing beautiful temple.  I wish I could explain to you the feeling and happiness that I felt as Zach and I were teaching these great curious people about the Temple.  I was a whole lot nervous that I would say the wrong thing, so as the loving wife that I am, I let Zach lead the tours while I stayed in the back to answer questions and make sure we didn't lose anyone from our group.  Zach was AMAZING!  I truly cannot say enough about how well he did.  I had so many people come up to me after and ask me to tell him how well he did and how he explained things in such a way that members of our church as well as non members could better understand and learn.  He has such a gentle yet commanding way of speaking.  You can't help but be pulled in and want to learn more from him. 
While speaking with a man during the tour, he told me he had no desire to be part of our church, but by being able to walk through our Temple, it helped him to understand us better and he said he is so happy that we have a place like this to go to and to feel the peace that you do when you are inside of the Temple.  That right there was all I needed to hear.  I didn't go to convert anyone, I went and gave tours of our magnificent Temple because I truly LOVE the feeling you get inside.  I love that I can help others feel that same feeling even if they don't belong to our church.  Our Heavenly Father loves every single person no matter who they are and he has given us a place to go and to feel closer to him.  If these people choose to only go through this Temple this one time, then at least they got to feel the peace inside for one day.  I know that they will never forget that day, and I know that I won't either.  I am SO SO blessed to have the opportunity I do to be able to work with the Temple Open House and I cannot wait for the dedication.  It is a beautiful building and I look forward to many many more trips to this Temple.  We are blessed!!

Kite Flying

I bought the family kites a few weeks ago.  It was the perfect day.  Just thought I would share.
Oh ya, Yes that is Blaze pulling up his pants.  He has decided that the tree outside works better than a toilet.  I am ok with it for now, less mess to clean up.

Jacksons Birthday

A long time ago.....as in Feb.17 it was Jacksons birthday.  He turned 9 years old!!!  I cannot take one more year, I swear!  Why do our kids have to grow up??  This little boy can talk me into anything, and so this year he talked me into having a birthday party with his friends.  I know, not that big of deal, but I don't do that.   We always have just family parties.  But, this year we did things different.  Jax invited a few friends from school for a "sports party".  It was actually pretty fun.  The highlight was when we made our own jerseys.   The boys thought that was pretty cool.  GO ME!  (Actually Courtney gave me the idea, go Court).  They played football, basketball, ate homemade pizza, and ice cream cake, and ran around crazy.  With as little experience I have in party throwing, I thought it turned out well.  Happy Birthday Jax, STOP GROWING UP!!

The Jerseys
We just wrote on the shirts with bleach pens.  It worked out well.  I just recommend drying time.  I didn't factor in that very well.

The BOYS.  I was really happy that Jax even invited Shade.  He is a good boy.

Nothing better than opening presents.

As you can see, the birthday cake was a HIT!

A lot of basketball playing going on.

Christmas....Finally

Merry Christmas!!!  I know, it is February.....I am a little late, but better late than never, right?  Well, the Zach and Rikki Stewart family had a GREAT Christmas.  This year was probably our slowest,

 low-key Christmas yet.(Not complaining)  We stayed here in Missouri and since we don't really know a ton of people yet (and most of our friends went home), we had Christmas Eve and Christmas all by ourselves.  We actually enjoyed it.  I can't believe I am saying this, but I got on it this year and bought all our gifts early and I didn't have to pay 95% more for gifts to rush them here on time!!  That is a first for me.  I think the kids had a good time and that we all got some great gifts and actually took time to enjoy eachother.  That is what Christmas is all about.  I didn't take a ton of pictures, I actually recorded a lot of it this year (that is a first too!) but, enjoy the pictures I did take.

decorating our very first gingerbread house. I am a scrooge and hate these things.  I would much rather just eat the candy on its own. BUT I love my kids and here is the result:

 Result......doesn't that look yummy??? 

 Zachs grandparents Papa and Mema sent us all some money that we could spend on anything we wanted.  My Grandparents Grandpa Ned and Grandma Pete did the same thing.  SO... with just a little bit added from us, we were able to get this BOUNCY HOUSE!!!  The kids were SO SO shocked when they woke up.  We moved it downstairs and that things has been going for a whole month.  I am little nervous to see our power bill, but HOW COOL IS THAT????  I would have died to have my own bouncy house growing up.

 This is Aynslees new barbie house.   Blaze is loving it as well ;)

 This is just a picture of all the kids together.  That doesn't happen very often anymore.

 Zach HAD to get Blaze this car and ramp.  I was a little nervous, but ALL the kids really like it.  I really like that it folds up into the stand and it is out of the way when I want it to be.

 This is how Christmas morning should be.  Already fighting over toys about 5 minutes into Christmas.  These two crack me up.

And one last picture of what Santa brought.  That dude is pretty cool.