We have had the funnest time with our new Hummingbird feeder! Awhile back, Laine had been asking for a hummingbird feeder and I thought, "why not!?" I wasn't sure how well we'd attract them, but to my PLEASANT SURPRISE, we have TONS! They entertain us pretty much all day! They are the most fascinating bird! So neat. I actually make our own "nectar" and I just made my third batch of it. They are sucking it dry nearly weekly! It's so much fun. They will fly right next to you and eat even if you're standing right there! Benjamin took the cool pictures!

Cookies! Cookies for AWANA!

AWANA hike was this past Sunday! The kids have SO MUCH FUN and work up a hearty appetite for after the hike. I volunteered to bring the "dessert" or cookies for the fun night! I think they went over well! Who doesn't love sugar cut out cookies and buttercream frosting!?

FRIENDS! Can't live without them!!!

Last Friday, we had the honor of having some of our good friends over for the evening. We had SO MUCH FUN! We are SO THANKFUL for these friends. It's actually kind of odd, but we have so many similarities and we just have hit it off almost from the first time we met. I met Johnna a few years ago through a local mom's club. I wasn't participating much, but had attended a "Mom's Night Out" event where we initially met. Johnna then did the persuing of me again, and continued to try and get me to become more involved with this group. This was all during our first year here in Arizona, and when Loren passed away, etc, and at the time I wasn't at all interested in "getting involved." I shut down usually around the anniversary months of our babies, but dear Johnna kept on, keeping on! I finally invited her to "brunch" at our house so our kids could get together and play, and we could visit and get to know one another! The rest is HISTORY! She is so dear.

The similarities: Her name is Johnna, mine Joanna. She has a daughter Dalaynie and they often call her "Layne" and we have Laine, of course. They were born just a few days apart in September. She is from Minnesota, and I'm from Iowa, so MANY things in common.

Anyways, so we had them over for a cook out. We had so much fun!!! The kids PLAYED AND PLAYED AND PLAYED, while we visited and laughed and sat by the fire.

Here we are, Johnna & Joanna & Chavalah! Friend for absolute EVER!

This is their son, Nick! He's ADORABLE! He calls me "Nia." I love it!

Enjoying the fire!

Laine & Laynie on the scooters!

"Monkey see..........Monkey do!!!"

100th Day!!!!

Laine stylin' his necklace he made at school with what started out to be 100 Fruit Loops. No, there are not 100 on there anymore, and if you are counting, there are 63 left! :)

Guess what I found the boys doing!? :) I thought it was so precious. Laine was so giving!

Laine had his 100th day of school last week! They had so much fun! It was a big day for everyone at the school. Laine was thrilled, and mommy was thrilled when he came home! Kind a neat thing they do. Today they pretty much had a "play" day and did fun things.

Superbowl 2009!!!!!

Me and my new nephew, Oscar!

Ben, Aubrey, Jack & Dad all watching the first half. Definitely not as exciting as the second!

Oma always thinks of her grandkids. No matter how interesting the "adult" activity might be at any of our family gatherings, she's always thinking of her grandkids! Thank you Oma! We love you SOOOOO MUCH!

:) The Baltzlys (minus Chavalah) :) Chilling out watching the game!

Towards the end of the game! All the kids were getting REALLY sleepy!

We spent this years VERY EXCITING, yet disappointing Super Bowl over at Ben & Aubrey's house! THANK YOU Ben & Aubrey! We had a blast. Just wish our home team would've won the Super Bowl! They lost, although, I'll say, they had an incredible "come back" second half! Shew!!!!!!!!!! And many thought we couldn't do it! :)

Random

Here are just a few random pictures taken in the last few weeks.

Our little sweetie, Chavalah! These are the fingers she sucks all the time and we call it her "I love you" hand! :) Getting SOO BIG!!!

My boys!

Granny having coffee and a small treat at my house!

First ever "snack" eaten at the swingset picnic table! First of many I'm sure!

Brothers! Aren't they precious!? They are SO HAPPY!

Posts CATCH UP!!

BEWARE! I think I just finished about 8 posts to bring us all up to date!!! Sorry it took me so long! Things should start slowing down now. Well, sort of! :) Alright! I give up! :) Enjoy! And you people that e-mailed me begging me to blog! Here you go! :)