Pics of the Adorable Mags

I had Maggie's one year old pictures taken last week and are they so cute. I'm not one of those parents who is super on top of pictures...but I did manage to remember hers...and of course I'm the mom so I think they are absolutely adorable...but come on..you gotta admit they are stinkin' cute...Thanks suzy!

Day 7

Something or Someone that has had the biggest impact on me

So other than my family of course..this contraption has been a huge part of my life the last 8 weeks. I'm pretty darn proud of myself and dedication..usually I get pretty spotty and flaky when it comes to exercise..hey we have a love/hate relationship. But for the past 8 weeks, I have been faithful to this machine. Every morning at 8:30, you will find me sweating and gasping for air. But I'm down 10 lbs and that my friends, is a huge accomplishment in my book. My original goal was 10 to 15 pounds by Christmas so I'm about there.

Day 6 = Wonderwoman

This is my favorite superhero...Wonder Woman! When I was little, I had underwear and a matching shirt like Wonder Woman that I remember wearing all the time (although it was slightly more modest than the pic above) Anyways,I just always liked her and the show...she was amazing...saving people, flying around and being so daring.  How cool! Plus she's a hottie...what's not to like?

Day 4 & 5

I don't think it's cheating if you combine days..it's a little hard with all my life going on around me so here are day 4 & 5

Day 4- I think this is a boring question and I'm sure I have many bad habits..the one that comes to mind is that I'm pretty sure i interrupt people while they are talking. I will try and work on that.

Day 5-  A picture of a place I have been

This is Lake Tahoe..isn't it gorgeous? Well I grew up going here for vacations every Summer. It is seriously the most beautiful lake ever. The water really is as crystal blue as these pictures show. And you see that little building on top of the island? It's called Emerald Bay and that is a little tea house that a really fancy lady would go with her friends and have a tea party. I kind of think she was royalty from somewhere but I can't remember now. Cool huh. It's really dilapidated and crumbling down.  I have climbed up to it. The fancy lady's mansion is on the shore and I have been there too and it is enormous and so cool. The water at Lake Tahoe is freezing but we swim in it anyways. It's too pretty not to. My Grandparents sold their cabin so we don't go anymore...now we go to Lake Powell which is much warmer and beautiful in a different way. We did go a few years ago and had a blast. I want to take my kids back there someday. Lots and lots of great memories.

Maggie Jane Turns One

Yesterday, this little gem turned a whole one year old. Can you stand it? We are celebrating her birthday on Sunday..so more pics of cake destruction will be sure to follow. She is a huge part of our family and we couldn't imagine our lives without her. Thanks for choosing our home little Mags. We love you and Happy Birthday.

Day 2 & 3

Day 2 - the meaning behind my blog name

Well lucky for all of you, I am not so creative and "The Belnaps" was all I got...now that I have this entry to blog about it, I am thinking about just how lame it is...really? Do I not have a little more creativity in me? Guess not. Oh well..at least on all of your blogs, you don't have to wonder who it is...like some others who have titles like "Feather in the wind" or junk like that..just keepin' my real

and for Day 3- pictures of me with friends

Well this one is a little depressing...I have friends..really I do. At least I think I do...Just not pictures of me with them. I mostly have pictures of my kids...and some more of my kids.

But just for all of your entertainment, I rummaged through some of my high school memories and found these treasures...Ellie asked me which one was me..and then said we all looked like "twins"..cuz that's what three is..twins?! Must be the hair... sorry Amb and Nat..hey I still think we looked good

And here I am with my bestie and our twinner dresses...we had no clue and just for the record, i had mine first :)...(side note..I really need to work on my posture..Hello-sloucher)

30 days...

So a friend of mine and my SIL both had this list on their blogs the other day...it sounded like fun...I always like to read odd stuff about other people so here we go...

Day 1- A recent picture of myself and 15 interesting facts about myself...

1. I like cheese curds..but they have to be fresh...if ever I'm on my way down south, I make a pit stop in Beaver to the cheese factory..yum!
2. I change all the sheets in my house every Monday
3. I love organization...I can get really excited about baskets, storage..you know..all that crap
4. You know those plastic rings that hook a six pack together..well a long time ago (like 15 years)..I saw a documentary on how fish and ducks get caught in the circles..so now when I go to throw the plastic ring part away..i cut them. I like to think I have saved many fish and birds.
5. I do not like sandwiches or hamburgers..I'm not too keen on the bread part
6. After 4 pregnancies, I have no stretch marks on my belly..pretty much everywhere else..but not my belly. Go figure!
7. I have the smallest feet of my sisters with a size 10..ok Rylee and I are both a 10 but she's only 13 years old
8. I love wrapping presents
9. I have always loved to read (ok that's not too interesting but it's a fact)
10. I do not like long fingernails..I hate that junk gets underneath them..so I keep them uber short..it bugs Nate cuz it makes for lousy back scratching
11. I only have to shave my legs and pits like once a week..maybe twice if i want (sounds kind of gross calling them pits..i should have said underarms..nah..pits it is)
12.  I can still do a back flip on the trampoline..hey I'm dang proud of that one..30 years old with 4 kids..and so what if i pee my pants
13. Which brings me to another fact..not so interesting...If I don't cross my legs when i sneeze...I pee..just a little bit...darn kids!
14. I hate onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers...I want to like them and I try them every now and again..but it never changes
15. I have been way in love with my husband for more than half of my life.

day 1- recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself
day 2- the meaning behind your blog name
day 3- a picture of you and your friends
day 4- a habit that you wish you didn’t have
day 5- a picture of somewhere you've been to
day 6- favorite super hero and why
day 7- a picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you
day 8- short term goals for this month and why
day 9- something you're proud of in the past few days
day 10- songs you listen to when you are happy, sad, bored, hyped, mad
day 11- another picture of you and your friends
day 12- how you found out about blogger and why you have one
day 13- a letter to someone who has hurt you recently
day 14- a picture of you and your family
day 15- put you ipod on shuffle: first 10 songs that play
day 16- another picture of yourself
day 17- someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why
day 18- plans/dreams/goals you have
day 19- nicknames you have and why you have them
day 20- someone you see yourself marrying or being with in the future
day 21- a picture of something that makes you happy
day 22- what makes you different from everyone else
day 23- something you crave for a lot
day 24- a letter to your parents
day 25- what I would find in your bag
day 26- what do you think about your friends
day 27- why are you doing this 30 day challenge
day 28- a picture of you from last year and now, how have you changed since then?
day 29- in this past month, what have you learned
day 30- you favorite song

Someday...

Someday, I will have a spic 'n span house for longer than a nano-second...
Someday, I will sleep a whole night with only Nate and myself in it
Someday, I will get an entire nights sleep with no barfing, drink breaks, bad dreams, potty stops, sleep-walking and crying children
Someday, I will be able to go to potty without hearing, "Mom...mom...mom...where are you? Mom?"
Someday, I won't use the word "potty" so much
Someday, my car will not be used as a shuttle
Someday, I will get to talk on the phone without one, single interruption
Someday, I may not have Ramen Noodles or Mac N Cheese in my cupboard (or at least so much)
Someday, I won't be so overwhelmed
Someday, I will have time to catch up on my scrapbooking (although at this point, things look seriously bleak)
Someday, I won't hear tattle-telling all day long
For you Amb...(I can't believe I would forget that one)..Someday, I will fit back into my skinny jeans (although not the ones with tight, tight legs, cuz I don't believe in those) and i will wear jewelry that won't get ripped out of my ears, sucked on or pulled apart..with beads going everywhere...someday (insert sigh)

And as promising and exciting as all those things sound, that "someday" will come too fast...and I'll probably miss all of it. It seems highly unlikely right now but deep down, I know it's true...except for the whole toilet thing..it would be nice to poop in peace...with no yelling and screaming...So until those times come, I will try ("try" being the key word here) to enjoy these crazy times of my life with my amazing kiddos!

Are You F'real

Why is it that I can never be the one to come up with million dollar ideas. This little number is sheer genius. I had heard about these shakes but never tried one until tonight. Nate got home from work early (well 8:30 is early for him)  and we decided to have a mini date.  My little sis, Rylee is staying here for a couple days...so she tended the kids and Nate and I headed out. And in our little ol' town, most everything is closed at 9:00 so our choices were limited. We drove passed Maverick and a light bulb went off above my head. I turned back and told Nate that I had heard about these shakes. So in we went. You get to pick from a bunch of flavors..smoothies included. Then you peel off the top, stick it in the milkshake blender thing and pick your desired thickness. That's right..you even get a thickness choice. In about 30 seconds, you have this great shake..for a whole $2.69. Genius I tell you. So that was our date night. Pretty exciting right? I know you are all green with envy. DBJ (which means "Don't Be Jeal"..which I totally hijacked from this other blog that I totally love slash stalk) Anyways it's about the only date night we've been on in like forever...but I'll take one when I can get one. So thanks to Rylee for tending  and thanks to my man for the date. And as for F'real..you should totally check them out next time you need a pick me up. Shakes and gas stations..seriously..who knew?

Look Who's Walking

So last week, this little ball of chub started walking...she is so proud of herself and thinks she's pretty hot stuff, getting around all on her own two legs. She is learning fast..has to keep up with her brother and sisters...I can't stand the thought that she will be one next month. How did that happen? So way to go Maggie Jane...we love to watch you wobble back and forth on those unsteady, but ridiculously cute, chubby legs. And I gotta give a shout out to those gorgamous, baby, blue eyes..are they to die for or what?

Change

Last week, the Jehovah Witness' came knocking on my door. I politely listened and even took their pamphlet. The title on the cover said, "Why do good people do bad things?" I didn't think another thought on the matter until three days later, when a husband rocked our small community by shooting his wife and then himself. Crazy right? Yep..life is so unfair at times. As a mother, my heart is aching for them. For those 4 children who have no mother now. What a selfish decision..it's hard to not be judgemental. Because i think that's what he was...maybe depressed, deranged, bipolar, psychotic..I don't care it was selfish! Think of all the moments that mother will miss. So it becomes another lesson in life to cherish each moment..to love your children more...to be grateful for the gospel and for love...I am very grateful for love.

Kids and Quarters

What is it about kids and quarters? Mine have all been completely obsessed with them lately. Especially Ellie. Everywhere we go, she asks me if the store has "those machine things that you put the quarters in" Blah! I hate little trinkity junk like that..but they use their own money so I can't complain. Tonight we rode our bikes to the Diary for a home night treat and she packed at least 3 bucks worth of quarters...Then she proceeded to buy just one thing. Why only one thing you ask...because it cost $1.00!! Whatever happened to the machines that were only 1 quarter?  Practically nonexistent I guess. So now we are proud owners of two (she bought Sophie one too) squishy, rubbery, scary-looking mice. Sophie has already named hers "squeaky" and is talking about when it "grows up." 

Photo Shoot

I have such a nice camera..if only I would take the time to learn how to use it...Here are some photos of our unprofessional photo shoot...I gotta admit...they are pretty cute kids.

Little Letters

This post is for my bro...who checks my blog every once in a while and says it's time for a new post. thanks for caring clay...(totally outed you that you check blogs :)

Dear 4th of July Frog,
Can you die already??? It has been 2 months and you are still kicking around. Connor (who promised he would take care of you) has neglected his responsibilities and your tank is super stinky. So gross! ( ok when I re-read this it sounds like I have never cleaned the tank, which is wrong...just not in the last week..ok 2 weeks)

Dear Football-
I am not dumb..I promise. But I just don't understand all your rules. It's so confusing...downs, conversions, off-side stuff, etc. Connor is playing flag football and wow I just have a hard time following. Sorry...and my husband explains it to me over and over and it's just hard.

Dear Candy-
Why are you so good? You should be gross- so I wouldn't like you. I'm sure these extra pounds would melt away if you were yucky.

Dear fitted sheet...(yes another letter to the fitted sheet)
Why don't you fit good? You are either too small and I have to stretch the bageezies out of the last corner, or with the pillowtop mattress' you just don't go down far enough. Your label said you would...it lied.

Dear hair-
You had a good hair day today. Why can't you have one every day. I do the same thing every day. So weird!

Dear kids-
Why do you hate bedtime? Sleep is amazing. I wish someone would tell me to go to bed. Someday you will like it more..I promise.

Dear God-
I am so thankful for all I have..really I am. Sometimes I may seem jealous or ungrateful...and I may be a smidge jealous of some stuff. I mean I do need slash want a bigger house. But truly I am blessed. My whole neighborhood is falling apart it seems. So I am thankful. Very thankful.

PS God-
I am crazy to even ask or mention this but I don't feel done having kids..I want to feel done really bad. Everyone says you just know when you are done. What! I don't know. 4 kids is nutsy and crazy and I am way tired and exhausted and my life is shambe-lish...5 might do me in..so can you make me feel done? Just asking..never hurts to ask right? Ok thanks.

For it's ONE..TWO..THREE..

Connor and Nate got tickets to see the Braves play the Rockies from Uncle Brian...lucky suckers! Both boys were so excited. I loaded them up with junk food, their Braves hats, and the camera and sent them to Colorado for an awesome experience. They had a great time together...even though Chipper Jones was out with a torn ACL...They saw two games and sadly, the Braves lost both games. The two little boys were so upset, Connor wouldn't talk for an hour and Isaac cried and said he wanted a Rockies jersey. What a fun trip. Thanks Brian for making my boys' year!

Nate & Connor..ready to cheer on their favorite team..the Atlanta Braves

Both boys got balls during batting practice. Connor's was from his fav player..Jason Hayward

All Nate could think about in this picture was the $7 hot dog...I would totally pay that for this pic...that is one big dog

The Gang..Brian, Isaac, Connor & Nate...all Braves fans at a home Rockies Game

Here comes the bride...

Just a little shout out to tell my little sis how excited I am for her and Jake...congrats you two. They are headed for wedded bliss sometime this fall. Yeah!

PS..I totally hijacked this pic from her FB page..mags is so little. And I have no pics of the giddy couple either. Lame-o and
PSS..her ring is gorgamous! Nice job Jake.

Family Fish and the Boob Blob Bummer

So it's pretty sad when you have to drive 45 minutes to find this great swimming pool. We went a couple weeks ago and then went again yesterday. Totally worth the trip if you ask us. My kids are complete fish. Especially Sophie. That child is a brave heart and is not afraid of anything. The slide is her favorite part and she went down at least 30 times.

Anyways here's what I've decided about swimming in general-
1. Pretty much nobody looks good in a swimsuit..including me. I'd say about 5% of the population look good in a swimsuit. And some people are down right scary. The worst are the people who think they can sport the bikini and they are totally jiggly and cheesy. Scary!
2. If you have had and nursed 4 babies, your boobs are pretty much shot. There is just no umph in them. They are saggy, dried and shrivelled up blobs of fat. And there are no good swimsuits to fix the problem. I look like I have a roll of doughy, bread hanging in the middle of my chest..that wraps from under one armpit to the other. I've decided that I should make wearing a bra under your swimsuit totally in style. Wa-la..problem solved. (sad part is, that I'm kind of serious about doing it)
3. We are in dire need of a fun, outside pool. I should have taken a politics class in college, so I would know how to go about it. Can't I just get signatures and take it to the mayor?



Here is our cute Mags at 9 months...she thinks she is so big to stand by herself.

Loving the water spray...and not afraid one bit

Dad and Sophie

I know you are trying to see my boob blob..good thing Sophie is in the way

Connor

Ellie

This pool sloped down like a beach so Maggie would crawl down until she was covered in water...she loved it

Late night drama

It's 10:00 at night and my kids are not in bed...Nate is just leaving Nephi and I was working on the computer. The kids found my ipod today...and Connor has been especially intrigued. So as I was sitting here punching numbers away on the computer, and I hear Connor singing at the top of his lungs...could this be my Connor? Singing out loud in front of his sisters? No..it couldn't be. But oh yes, I snuck downstairs and peeked around the corner. Sure enough, he's got the earphones in and the music on. i couldn't help it..I burst out laughing. It was just so funny. I didn't mean to embarrass him. Well the laughing, bad idea. He ran into his room, slammed the door and told me I was mean....ahh there's the Connor I know. Totally embarrassed. I tried to explain I wasn't laughing at him, only laughing cuz it was so cute and totally not like him. He didn't buy it. I wish I had videoed him...next time.

Sophie-isms

Sophie is full of it..she is at that perfect age where everything she says is hilarious and very profound...she has so much spunk and light about her...here are a few of my favorite sophie-isms

* Mom, you look soooo "cutiful"
* When going on walks or bike rides, she tells us she wants to be on top, which means she wants to be in front
* I just wore that lasterday
* Can we go on another "four-leader" ride?
* She goes around singing a mix of songs like, popcorn popping, Phineas and Ferb, Follow the Prophet and Barbie and the Mermaid Tale (which she has an awesome hip-shaking dance for) and head, shoulder, knees and toes...it's seriously crack-up hilarious.
* She tells random people that she is potty-trained
* We are real people mom

She is my cute, blonde haired, blue-eyed, in-charge, least-shy, best-eater, bossiest, picture posing, little girl. We love you Sof!

Mr. Belnaps Birthday

Dear Nate-

Happy 32nd Birthday today! I love you so much and you barely look a day over 20. You are amazingly, amazing...kind of like Wingers wings, but even better. You are a super, duper dad and we are lucky to have you in our lives. I hope you have a great day, even though you are working..something Ellie just couldn't figure out (why would you have to work on your birthday?) I think you should totally have the day off. XOXO

Love,
Me

P.S. This pic is of Nate and Connor at Rainbow bridge..I have completely slacked in posting our Lake Powell pics...I'll get there.