Happy 8th Birthday Alex!

Alex just celebrated his 8th Birthday with a mario-themed party with a toy-story cake! We played some games, opened a few gifts, and ate pizza & cake. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon! We sure do love our Alex and can't believe how fast he is growing up. Happy Birthday Alex!!

A Glimpse of a fat roll - FINALLY!

Finally a small glimpse of a fat roll forming - won't his pediatrician be so happy!

Happy, blue-eyed little boy!

A SURPRISE Party for Kallee!

While I was visiting in Las Vegas, we planned a SURPRISE 30th Birthday party for Kallee! It was so much fun and the best part? She really was surprised! It was great to have friends and family together to celebrate Kallee cause she really is worth it.

Sister Bonding Time

Shawn was kind enough to offer me a weekend away in Las Vegas with my sisters! I LOVED IT!! We had a lot of fun. How lucky am I to have such wonderful sisters!

A small amount of gambling (just for fun) C'mon - it is Las Vegas!

Sisterly Love

A Pedicure for Three!

Who Needs A Teenage Daughter?

People always ask me if I am "sad" that I will not have a daughter. I say "no" but I will admit that sometimes I do wonder what life would have/could have been like with a girl thrown into the mix of these crazy O'Dell boys. Well, tonight I got a good dose of reality where it doesn't matter about having a little girl who will grow into a teenage girl and occassionally think that I am the "worst mother ever".
Previously tonight . . . .

Nick: I want to play club penguin.
Mom: Not tonight. It's time for bed.
Nick: No Thanks!
Mom: Well, it is still time for bed.
Nick throwing himself down on the couch - apparantly annoyed.
Nick: You are the worst mother ever!
Mom slight surprised - c'mon he is only 3 yrs old
Mom: What?
Nick: (long sigh with face buried into the couch) You are the worst mother ever!

Hmmmm. Who needs teenage girl? I have Nick!

Nick - A future "MC" at many upcoming events!

So we attended a school talent show tonight. Nick was constantly making comments about each act. Problem was that he was making all these comments loud enough for the people around us to be:
1. slightly entertained
OR
2. slightly annoyed.

Just a few of his commentary listed below:
"This song is better on RockBand!"
"That girl needs a different dress."
"Why is that girl soooooo mad?" (a serious looking teenager during an interpretive dance)
"Hey mom this song is good for your cell phone!" (the 2nd of many, many Taylor Swift songs sung that night)
"They sound like the Chipmunks!"
"Why didn't he comb his hair if he is wearing church clothes?" (dressed up nicely with spiky-hair)
"She is singing too loud I can't hear the music!"
"Oh man, that was awesome!" (LoveStory by Taylor Swift sung by two 5th/6th graders)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AJ!

May 12, 2009 to May 12, 2010

Where has the past year gone? I can't believe that AJ turned one-year-old today. Oh how we love this little guy! I was thinking this morning about how one year ago, I sat staring into the peaceful sleeping face of our newborn baby boy. This morning that same face sat staring up at me with a huge grin on his face as I gathered him up into a big "birthday" hug. I think that AJ has a very gentle nature that is a calming influence on those around him. He is happy and healthy. Who could ever ask for more? Happy 1st Birthday AJ!

AJ getting as close as he can to the camera

Practicing my balance!

AJ loves his big brother Alex

Can a person really ever get too close to the TV?