BOYS R US

Christmas!!!!

2012-01-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

Our boys draw each others names for Christmas and then get to go shopping for a gift. We let them exchange their gifts with each other the morning of Christmas Eve. It works out great, because they get to see the person open it without a bunch of other presents getting mixed up with it. AND, it gives them something new to play with all day while waiting for the time to pass.

Bronson has totally clicked with the whole unwrapping presents deal. He was super excited to get the "go ahead".

Ryker is always happy with more cars.

Cooper got a Green Lantern action figure.

Zack got a Spy Net voice changer.

Matthew got a lego Hero Factory toy. All the boys were happy with their gifts and it kept them busy all day which made mom happy! :)

We spend Christmas Eve with my family. My brother Andy and his girlfriend, Rebekah, enjoying dinner.

My brother Jake and sister in law Nao giving me good smiles for their picture.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, my honey!

Bronson's new trick is to play dead. He will stop anything to do this. We don't know where he learned it from, but he thinks its pretty funny!

My mom and my darling niece Mana. She is so sweet, I am going to steal her one day. :)

The only granddaughters on my side of the family. 18 years apart and 12 boys in between.

Bronson likes this Christmas business!

Ryker tearing into his presents.

He makes these jammies look GOOOOOD!!

Zack was pretty excited for his Angry Birds jammies.

Cute little boys and their mine!! :)

Matthew has the cheese touch!!

This is what I opened from Matt for my Christmas jammies. FUNNY!! Luckily for him and everyone else he did get me some pj's with a little more coverage. :) Revenge will be mine next yer.

My handsome boys ready for bed.

Christmas morning!! Can we please go in?

Matthew got an electric scooter and LOVES it. All his uncles love it too. :)

Santa brought Cooper just what he asked for, a big Optimus Prime.

Ryker checking out another car.

Zack was super happy to get a watch.

Every carpenter needs some chocolate tools, right?

After opening stockings we got ready for church. The kids have never been so fast and happy to get ready. Maybe the opening of presents when we got home was the reason?

Home again and back in jammies we were ready to unwrap!

Bronson was a great multi-tasker. He ate some ham AND opened his presents. Serious business people!

Matthew got a new BYU blanket and was almost as excited for it as he was the scooter. Score for mom!! I had to make it while the kids were at school and finished it the last day they were in school.

We were very blessed and had a wonderful Christmas. Santa brought me a Kindle Fire and Matt a new camera. We are very grateful for our family, health and happiness. We appreciate all the things that our family and neighbors and friends do for us. We hope next year we will be celebrating Christmas in our own home and hopefully close by!

Temple Square and Touring The Conference Center

2012-01-02T20:44:00.030-07:00

For Christmas you HAVE to go to Salt Lake to see the lights at Temple Square. We went last year with a group of people from our ward and its was extremely busy and we felt very rushed and did NOT have the kind of holiday spirit we were hoping for. We drove to Salt Lake one day so Matt could help his sister Mary with a drain at her work. On our way home we decided to stop by Temple Square. I was dreading it a little since last year was not the best experience for me. I'm so glad we decided to go. It was perfect and just what I was wishing for. Before we even got to Temple Square several of the boys had to go to the bathroom so we went into the Conference Center. Some of the workers asked us if we would like a tour. They were more than happy to make it as short or long as the kids could stand it. This tree was decorated with pioneer type decorations and pictures that depicted the story of the young men who carried hundreds of kids, women and men across a river in the middle of winter. These young men sacrificed their lives ultimately by helping those in their company. Zack was amazed that they would do this and wanted his picture taken next to one of the paintings.

Bronson and Ryker wanting to get the show on the road!

The Conference Center all dressed up for Christmas. The boys (and me) were amazed at the size.

Having a seat and pretending to watch a show.

Posing for mom.

After our tour we made our way across the street to the temple grounds. There were not nearly as many people as the night we came last year and so we got to enjoy all the beauty and sights of Temple Square.

Matt and I went on our first date to Temple Square on Dec. 22nd 1994!! We were a little early this year, but the kids thought it was so cool when we told them.

Beautiful!!

Matthew "helping" Cooper get a closer look at the reflecting pool. Aren't brothers the best? :)

Feeling very grateful to be here with my family.

We had a wonderful night. The kids were great and we didn't loose anyone! It wasn't freezing and we had a nice chat with some sister missionaries. Great memories.

Sinterklaas comes to town.

2012-01-01T20:43:00.000-07:00

St. Nicholas came to visit. Zack was so excited to dress up like Pete. Thanks to Oma and Opa for sending us some costume pieces. :)

Zacks turn with St. Nick

Bronson thought this was pretty cool. Sit on the strangely dressed mans lap and he gives me a present. Awesome!!

Little St. Nick (Matthew) getting his turn to get a present from Big St. Nick.

Sinterklaas was very nice to our family.

He brought us our Elf on the Shelf. This was the boys favorite gift from Sinterklaas.

Lots of fun little Christmas toys.

Bronson finally got a "cars" car of his very own.

Coopers Birthday Photos

2011-12-14T20:19:00.000-07:00

Cooper loves Transformers or more importantly, Bumblebee. He was very excited to get a lego Bumblebee.

We always do birthday breakfast with pancakes in the shape of the birthday boys first initial. Cooper wanted waffles instead so Matt made him a waffle that sort of looks like a C and Coop was ecstatic!

What a handsome boy!!

Make a wish!!

Happy 7th Birthday Cooper the Snooper!

2011-12-03T00:32:00.000-07:00

Cooper is 7 today!! All our pictures are boxed up so a I only had when he was 2 and up.

This is his 2nd birthday. We only had a 5 candle so we put it backwards.

Gotta love the dirty snotty face, but Cooper has always been super cute!!

Cooper plays hard and sleeps hard. We call him Insta-Sleep. He can be asleep in 2 minutes flat!

I miss Cooper when he was little. Such a cutie!!

Zack's last day of preschool before we moved. He always smiles for the camera.

Cooper LOVED living in St. George and always asks us when we are moving back. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to college there or just plain moves there.

Cooper always finds happiness in the things that others may overlook. He was thrilled at the red sand at Sand Hollow Reservoir.

Cooper is a sneaky fellow. He decided to taste test Zack's birthday cake. Ooops!!

Cooper loves working with dad and anything Matt likes, so does he.

He loves being a big brother.

I love this picture and actually had it put on my credit card!! Cooper would spend all day in the water. He told me today that we HAVE to buy a house with a pool. We'll see................

I love this little boy!! He brings so much happiness and fun to our lives. I am grateful every day for his spirit in our home. Cooper we love you!!!

Truly Grateful

2011-11-26T21:12:00.002-07:00

This Thanksgiving was wonderful. We have so much to be thankful for and are blessed with loving families. With Matt's parents on their mission, we had my family over for Thanksgiving. It was very nice to have a big house for the party. We only had some minor turkey timer malfunctions, but finally concluded that the turkey was indeed cooked and began our feast!

My brother Andy, his girlfriend Bekah and my sister Mishelle partaking (snitching) some food.

Bronson loved the deviled eggs and ate most of them.

My cute niece, Brittney, came and helped us make pies the day before until late that night. She is so fun to be around.

Bronson REALLY like the deviled eggs, so much that he wore them on his face for about an hour.

Mommy and Bronson. Matching baby blues! :)

Britt and Bronson

Matthew and my nephew Gavin getting some dessert.

My brother Rusty, and sister in-law Jenn, enjoying the festivities.

A rare photo of my brother in law, Ray. :)

My nephew Dalton posing for the camera.

Matthew and Gavin jamming out to Just Dance 3. Many more danced, but I didn't get any pictures. There better not be any pictures of me surface either!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and even though we miss our family members who aren't here, we are grateful for all they do for us.

Happy 4th Birthday Ryker Roo!!

2011-11-14T22:22:00.000-07:00

Ryker was born while we were living in St.George. He thinks this is pretty cool, although he has no memory of it! It was a long hot pregnancy and I was very glad to be done with it. Hey, it doesn't really cool off in November in St. George!!

Ryker has always had the ability to wrap everyone around his finger. See him working his magic on his first meeting with dad?

Ryker James Van Komen weighed in at 8lb 10oz. I thought that was big until a couple years later when his brother beat him by just shy of a pound. Ryker was and still is my snuggliest child.

He always made the best faces!! Sooooo cute!

What mom? I'm just helping you stir!!

Baby Blessing pictures.

Taking grandpa's corvette for a spin.

Zack latched on to Ryker the minute he saw him. Zack was always such a big helper when Ryker was a baby.

How can you not love that face?!

Indy is one of Ryker's best friends and the whole family agrees that Ryker is Indy's "person". I know that that dog would give up his life for Ryker. In this picture Ryker was sick and just wanted to lay with Indy.

Silly kid!!

Ryker became a big brother at the ripe old age of 2. He was not a fan of having a little brother until Bronson was around 2 weeks old and he opened his eyes and looked at Ryker and something clicked in his cute little head that this was a little person. He has loved him (for the most part!) ever since. :)

Ryker loved having the traditional birthday breakfast.

Getting ready to blow out the candles on his Cars cake.

Ryker got to take his BFF, Grady, out to lunch for his birthday to, where else, McDonalds.

Getting ready to open presents.

Ryker was soooo excited to get the Lightning McQueen pop up tent that he asked for. Life is good when you're 4! Love you Ryker Roo!!

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-11-01T13:10:00.000-06:00

All our boys LOVE to carve pumpkins. I am so glad they have gotten over their fear/disgust/phobia of the "guts". For a while there, I had to scrape them out and it took forever! Cooper did a great job.

Zack wanted to show me all of his goop.

Yay!! We finally got dad in on the action!

Now they are enthralled with the goop!

We must play with the goop.

Bronson thought this was lots of fun.

I don't know where they get their "poser" attitude. :)

There is no q-tip big enough for that!!

Ryker had fun just pulling it out.

Cute Bronson Blue Eyes

Ryker and his best buddy, Grady, at their pre-school party.

Bronson thought the preschool party was the best cause he got to play with everything.

Ryker loved singing all the Halloween songs for me and Aunt Mary (who he's looking at in every picture!).

Costume parade through the park.

How we entertain ourselves waiting for the older boys parade to start.

Bronson was our cute little homeless man for Halloween.

He's quite the lush!

Don't interrupt me, this apple juice is a good year!

Bronson LOVED Halloween. He growled at all the pumpkins and didn't mess with his costume.

Rrrrraaaaaaaaaarrrrrrr!!

Please won't you give a poor kid some candy?

Cooper has been Iron Man for the past 2 years, so I was pretty glad when he chose Bumble Bee.

Ryker went as "old school" Optimus Prime.

Zack was a Zombie Football player.

Can you find Matthew and tell what his costume is?

All my handsome boys!!

The weather was perfect!! No winter coats to cover costumes, and no runny noses with freezing hands.

Bronson caught on to this whole trick or treat thing pretty fast, like the second house! He loved going up and telling people thank you and getting candy!! Our family had a wonderful Halloween and who knows what we'll be next year!!

Summer Round-Up

2011-10-21T10:21:00.000-06:00

I have been a horrible blogger. In know excuses, excuses, but don't we all have them? :) I thought I would just take random pictures and put them in one post instead of lots of little ones. Lazy? Yes!! I found this Kid Wash in the Family Fun magazine, so we recruited the kids Uncle Mark to help us build it. This was the best $25 investment on summer water toys I have ever made. Why you ask? Cause it still is around and not broke!! The boys had TONS of fun with this and even tried to charge other kids to use it!! :)

This hammock session was during a trip to Idaho Falls for my aunt and uncles 50th wedding anniversary.

At the end of June I had to have my gallbladder removed. This was pre-surgery. I was trying to figure out how to get the good drugs going! *Update* Me and my gallbladderless body are coexisting in harmony. :)

I took the boys (except Zack) up to Willard Bay for a day on the beach.

Van Komen family reunion. Yes, we all wear orange. Cooper is waiting happily, hoping his raffle ticket number will be called.

Bronson waiting for raffle numbers too!

Zack's 9th birthday was in July and I made him this Angry Birds cake. I also won Mom Of The Year Award for this concoction too!! (I totally stole the idea, THANKS AMBER!!)

Matt at the Family Reunion.

Taking a swing at Aunt Julie's park was tons of fun.

One of the big things we did this summer was move! Matt's parents are serving a mission in Holland and we moved into their house until they get back. They have a large family room downstairs that needed some paint etc., so my awesome sister-in-law, Julie, came over any chance she could to help. Thanks Julie!!

This is my super friend Susan perched atop a pallet which is resting on the forks of Matt's skidloader raised up to the second story window of Matt's parents "extra" garage. She is handing me stuff through the window so we didn't have to haul it up the stairs. I could not bring myself to be the one standing on the pallet so she graciously volunteered. Honorable Mention goes to my wonderful friend Liseanne who also "rode the pallet" instead of me.

Sorry, to cute not to post!! Ryker just could not make it the 50 feet to the bathroom while we were at football practice and dropped his drawers by the bushes!!

Ryker and his cousin Kohyn being silly!!

Count'em 1,2,3,4,5 trailers moving stuff!! I'm not counting the 5th wheel, even though I wish it was!!

Pirate Island Pizza with the Miner girls. TONS of fun!!

Tamma and Zack got birthday sundaes. YUM!!

On Tamma's birthday we went to the splash park to let the kids play.

Matthew and Bronson defying gravity at the park.

What does summer mean for us? The never-ending fixing of bike tires!! :)

First Day of School 2011

2011-08-22T10:21:00.000-06:00

Today was the first day of school for the older 3 boys. They have been super excited to start. Zack started 4th grade.

Cooper has been hardly able to control himself for 2 weeks he's been so happy to start school. He is now in 1st grade and goes all day AND eats lunch. :)

Matthew began 5th grade. I can't believe he only has 2 more years of elementary!

All three boys give school two thumbs up!!

We have to have a goofy picture.

See, they love each other!

Arriving at school!!

Cooper finds his desk.

Zack already busy at work.

Matthew's teacher saw me in the hall trying to take a picture so she told me to come in so I could embarrass him to the fullest. Yes maam!! :)

#9 Is Truly Fine!!

2011-07-15T09:04:00.002-06:00

Nine years have gone by so fast! You were my "best surprise" baby. After trying for years to get and stay pregnant we had our older son Matthew. Nine months later we were so blessed to find out you were joining our family! You were the best baby!!

You were always happy and we couldn't get enough of your "joker" smile. You loved following Matthew around and doing everything he did.

You are my helper and always look out for your younger brothers. Zack loves all things green. It doesn't matter the flavor, if its green he wants it. He has more green shirts than anyone I know!

I am so grateful and blessed to have a son like Zack. He loves school and plays baseball and football. He is growing up to be a great young man. Zack loves going to scouts and swimming. He is becoming a hunter in training. He practices with his bow and also has a BB gun. Maybe he likes hunting since the camo is green! I love you Zachary Binks!!

If You Ain't Dutch You Ain't Much

2011-07-10T09:58:00.000-06:00

We had the most amazing experience in May to go to Holland to visit Matt's parents who are serving a mission there. We arranged everything at home, packed our bags and headed to the airport. Our layover was in Dallas, which couldn't have pleased Matt more! The Cowboys are his favorite team so, luckily for us there were 6 Pro Shops in the airport. He was reserved and didn't buy a thing on our way there. (He knew our layover on the way home was the same place!).

We are just about done with our 9 hour flight to Holland here. Can't wait to get off the plane!

Matt's parents drove 2 hours to come pick us up from the airport. It was early in the morning, so they took us sightseeing all day to try to keep us awake. (this worked until we were driving and then we would both zonk out!).

Bob found a beach for us to walk on. It was a little to chilly to get in the water, but the North Sea was awesome!

We really wanted to see all the famous tulips, and so that's what we went looking for the first day. Holland had been unseasonally warm so the tulips came on fast. This was the most we could find, but it was great. Farmers plant these small plots of every kind of their species of tulips. This way they can show buyers all of them in a smaller area. It was beautiful!

These orange ones were my favorite!

Father and son together for the first time on dutch soil!! This was Matt's 4th trip to Holland and the first time he has ever been here with his dad. All his other siblings have come with their dad, but things have happened and Matt has either come by himself, with his mom or me! He was so excited to be there with his dad. :)

We found this one lonely strip of red tulips. but they were surrounded by canals so we got a picture of them in the distance.

Matt's favorite dutch food, kroketten and frites. Frites are fries, but in Holland you get them in a tray or cone and eat them with a little fork and frite sauce (mayo). We ate frites all over Holland and I have to say that they know how to make fries!! Delicious every where we went.

Sister and Elder Van Komen enjoying a snack on a beautiful day in Holland!

Stopping to look at a dike. We are slightly jet lagged here. :)

On our second day we went to Alkmaar to the cheese festival. Now, dutch people ride bikes A LOT! In many towns it is easier and faster to get around by bike. There are many modifications and different styles. I'm not sure what they put in the "basket" part, but I did see people in one in a different city.

The Cheese Market where you bid on cheese.

These street perfomers were awesome. There clothing was "blown" back like the wind was blowing. The had a little bowl for money and when you put money in it they would move around and blow kisses and change positions. Super cute!

These are one of my very favorite dutch foods. They are called Poffertjes. They are tiny little pancakes that you cook on this huge pan or a little one like we have. I love them with strawberries, powdered sugar and whipped cream. My boys love them dipped in syrup.

Ok, this bike has a child seat on the handle bars and a baby carrier strapped to the back (first time I've seen that!). I have seen up to 3 children on one bike with an adult. 3 children are quite a lot for a dutch person to have. Most families are very small compared to Utah ones. Most people we met were amazed when they asked us if/how many children we have. If I had to haul them around on a bike I probably would have stopped at 2!! Just kidding, The children learn very young how to ride their bikes through the city (scary!) I would be frightened to ride a bike myself without getting hit!!

More to come!!!!!!

Will Return Soon

2011-05-02T10:54:00.000-06:00

Will Return Soon........................

We are off to Holland for 2 weeks. Be prepared for picture overload!!

Disney Fever 2011-California Adventure and Swimmin

2011-04-05T11:46:00.000-06:00

This is about half way through our day at California Adventure and Bronson and Ryker zonked out.

While the two little ones slept and the big kids rode the roller coaster, me and Cooper had some yummy ice cream.

Bronson made for a cute Kermit.

Pictures are a little mixed, but Kohyn and Ryker could have spent every minute in the pool

Bronson making his cute faces.

Ryker on the merry go round.

Cooper the Snooper

Daddy and Coop

Cooper and my first turn on Grizzly Rapids. We only got a little wet.

Zack and Matthew before the rapids.

Ryker was so excited to see Mater and Lightning.

Matthew giving two thumbs up for swimming.

Merman Cooper.

Zack catching a ride with Uncle Mark.

Mary and the boys relaxing in the hot tub.

Matthew at Huntington Beach. We went right at sunset and it was a little chilly so we only snapped a few pictures.

Julie enjoying her cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.

Disney Fever 2011- California

2011-03-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

The condo that we stay it is two block from Disneyland so we walk there. Ryker and my nephew Kohyn are super excited to be on our way.

Zack and Chewey waiting to cross the road and we're almost there!!

My sweet family all posing (impatiently) before we go inside.

First ride we had to go on was Buzz Blasters. Last time we came two years ago Ryker was terrified of everything. This year (thank goodness) he LOVED everything especiall Buzz. This is him shooting Zurg with his laser. Take that Zurg!!

Ryker and Coop are pretty excited even waiting in line.

Complete happiness!

Bronson was so good and just watched everything and never got scared.

Bronson and mommy waiting in line for Roger Rabbit.

Kohyn and Ryker were so excited to meet Mickey.

Mickey's house was so cute and the boys loved playing around.

Ryker putting his feet up in Mickey's chair.

Uncle Nick and Zack waiting for Chip and Dales roller coaster

While waiting for Billy Hill and the Hillbillies to start Bronson had a little snack. Matt laid him down like this and he drank his whole bottle this way.

Family friend Chris, Uncle Nick and Aunt Autumn having some lunch.

Aunt Mary and me eating while waiting for the show.

Not quite sure what was happening for this picture, but I'm guessing Kohyn wouldn't look at the camera and Ryker is telling him too.

Always happy Bronson.

Cooper and Matt waiting for the show.

Bronson and Daddy waiting in line for Pirates of the Carribean.

Rykers not quite sure he wants to ride this ride.

All aboard!!

Ryker had a blast playing with the water turning ball outside Space Mountain.

Zack and cousin Cyle outside the castle after our first day.

Matthew with the castle.

All my handsome boys at Disneyland!!

To be continued.......

Disney Fever 2011-First Stop, St. George.

2011-03-26T14:42:00.000-06:00

Last summer we booked the condo for Disneyland with a stop in St. George on the way down. The time finally arrived and off we went to St. George. We planned to be there for Bronson's first birthday and everyone was super excited to be able to wear shorts, enjoy some sun and have a good time for his birthday. This is the first picture of Bronson as a 1 year old!! No, we didn't give him a roll of paper towels, but we should have since its all he played with.

Zack and Matthew just chillaxin until mom gets busy making breakfast.

Bronson had a blast exploring his new surroundings.

Our traditional birthday breakfast, pancakes in the shape of your first initial and a round of Happy Birthday. As you can see he loved it!!

The luggage cart was by far the best thing to play on!!

The boys wanted to go to Pirate Island Pizza, so we did only because it was Bronson's birthday. :)

Matthew thought the little sword tooth picks were pretty cool.

Ryker loves pizza and his own sword.

We were lucky and they weren't busy so we had our own little room. We were in the fort.

Pirate hats all around!

Arrrgggghhhh, my cute little pirate!

After lunch we took advantage of the warm weather and went for a dip. Bronson had his first swimming experience on his 1st birthday!

Cooper the Fish.

Zack diving for money.

Bronson hanging out outside our door.

Our condo had a hot tub on the patio so we spent most of the afternoon and evening taking advantage of that!! The boys have to wear their goggles at all times. :)

Ryker HAD to be in the pool even though it was starting to get chilly.

WE had to have a cake for B's birthday so we sent daddy to the store to get one.

I think he likes it!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet Bronson!!

To be continued..............

Bronson Blue Eyes is 1!

2011-03-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

This is Matt's pre delivery picture. Isn't he cute?

My pre delivery picture looks a little different. That is a HUGE belly!!

Baby boy #5!! He weighed in at a whopping 9 lb 6 oz, hence the huge belly!! His delivery was quick and pretty painless (thanks to modern medicine!) I think I would plant a giant french kiss on the person who invented epidurals!

That hair!! We were amazed when they brought him all cleaned up and hair styled. I love it!!

Such a sweet baby!

Love those dimples!

Bronsons first camping trip. Its was sooo hot that he got to hang out in his diaper most of the day.

Hanging out at big brothers football game. Bronson has been my most easy going happy baby.

This kid loves to eat! He is almost the same size as 3 year old Ryker!

Bronson loves to wear daddy's "Uncle Buck" hat. I am so happy that this little boy is in our family. I can't imagine life without him. He makes me laugh from the moment he wakes up. He makes the funniest faces and sounds and loves being with his brothers. He has recently found his trouble streak. He is taller than my other boys were at his age and uses it to his advantage. He has been known to pull full cereal bowls off the table and anything else he can reach. The joy this little guy brings to our family every day is immeasurable. We are so blessed to have his sweet spirit in our home. Happy Birthday my Bronson Blue, I love you to the moon and back!

Pioneer Woman Book Signing=Awesome, Waiting for 3 hours=Dorks!

2011-02-11T16:28:00.000-07:00

My BFF Liseanne and I LOVE the Pioneer Woman who is a blogger/superwoman we have been stalking, I mean following for about 4 years now. She has publishe a cookbook which we attended the signing for that and we were just plain giddy when we heard that her love story with her Marlborough Man was being published and she would be in SLC to sign them. After planning to go, then canceling, then planning to go again we were on our way. I let my camera home, but thankfully Liseanne had hers. She did such a great blog post that you should go here to read about our hilarious night!!

New Floor and Future Handymen!

2011-01-29T06:00:00.001-07:00

When we moved in some of the carpet was less than pretty. I have endured it for almost 2 years. To make matters worse, there was no way we could use the dining area as a dining area, its tiny!! So we put our table where the family room was designated and have been using the dining area for our desk and vinyl machine workstation. 5 kids and a dining area that was carpeted are not a good mix. I have been begging Matt to put down some cheap Pergo flooring so that when the next people move in they can have a wood floor dining area or a wood floor family room. FINALLY, on New Years day I convinced him we should do it that day! He was up for it so we went to Lowe's and started the tear out around 6 pm. Bronson was super excited to be on his first job and did well with the broom.

Matt had such dedicated "helpers". Both Ryker and Bronson wanted to help with this board.

Where do I put this one dad?

It helps to look so cute on the job. It gets you breaks with mom!! Bronson also learned that the new floor is a little more slippery than the old one!

Almost done!!

Workers in pajamas, CUTE!!

We realized it was 11:11 p.m on 1/1/2011. We finished about twenty minutes later. What can I say, with a last name of Van Komen, you have to be a night owl!

Playing peek-a-boo through the railing.

I am soooooooo glad we don't have disgusting carpet (in that room at least).

January Mash Up

2011-01-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

For Matthew's birthday he wanted to go to Chili's for dinner. We went early to beat the rush.

He got some Transformers and this is him showing the waiter who was more excited about them than he was, I think!

This is what happens when kids take over the photograpy.

We don't go out to dinner much, so they go a little crazy. Hence why we go early when it will be less busy.

The best thing we ate all night!! Molten Lava Cake! They tried to bring him a milkshake, but we were having none of that nonsense when you could get this!!

Everyone loves the molten lava!

Silly boy with his wrapping paper hat.

After dinner we had family come over for more chocolate cake. I have to say the molten lava was far superior to this one!

Matthew and his best bud/cousin Rylan. Rylan lives over an hour away and no matter what they always come for Matthew's birthday. We are always so grateful for their presence at our parties.

Matthew could not believe that he got a DSi XL. He actually didn't even realize it was from us until the next day!

The pictures got a little out of order, but this is Matthew's birthday breakfast. The boys always get pancakes in the shape of their first initial. We do a candle and sing and they love it!

When Matthew got home from school, there was a clue to his treasure(present) hunt on the door. He got a few little things that all had clues throughout the night as to where he could look for his gift. This one led him to a pack of pokemon cards.

Big 10!! Double digits!

Ok, so Bronson is so funny, the next 3 pictures are all seperate ones. I just wanted one with his eyes open!

#3 I love this kid!!

Brother's!

Silly Zack and Dad!

Double Digits!!

2011-01-12T16:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that my oldest child is 10!! It makes me feel super old!! Matthew is the ultimate cheeser for the camera and puts on a smile no matter what. He is almost 6 in this picture.

Matthew loves his food and will usually try just about anything.

This was at a program at Matthew's kindergarten in St. George. They put on a little musical about what they could be when they grew up and Matthew was a chef.

Matthew is a little fish and LOVES swimming. Also, this was the best way to cool off in ST. George.

He is growing into such a wonderful young man. He loves school and has really enjoyed playing football the last two years.

I know it will just be a matter of time until he doesn't want to be around his mom, but for now I enjoy his hugs and cuddles and that he is only just 10! Love you Matthew.

Christmas & Winter 2010

2010-12-28T13:14:00.000-07:00

These Pictures are all mixed together so bear with me!!

Christmas morning, Bronson and Cooper are playing together.

Matthew was very excited to dig into his stocking.

Bronson makes this face anytime you get the camera out. He is such a funny boy!!

Ryker was just as excited for this Buzz Pez dispenser as he was for anything else!

Cooper was happy about EVERYTHING!! Shampoo included. :)

Bronson's first Christmas and he got a cute little tool bench.

Ryker with his new buzz.

Matthew got a pretty cool spy gear watch that can video and take pictures. Everyone has loved playing with it.

Zack had a little scare with getting a bag of coal first, but luckily Santa was nice and brought him the bow he wanted.

Ryker loves his new bike. He has rode our old one so much that its falling apart.

5 little boys ready to go see what santa brought them.

Bronson and his silly face on Christmas Eve. I know the date is wrong on the picture. The boys drew names for each other and we let them open them on the morning of Christmas Eve. Excellent idea if I do say so myself!! They had something new to play with on the longest day of the year AND they got to appreciate and see each other open the gifts they picked out without all the other presents.

Cooper got a Headbands game and the kids had a ball playing it. The checker at the store called it Indian Poker for Kids. :)

The week before Christmas we rode frontrunner down to temple square with a group of people in our ward. It was pretty hectic with all the rest of northern Utah there and trying to keep track of everyone, but the weather was great and the temple was beautiful.

Bronson had a blast on the train.

Bronson on his first St. Nicholas. He's such a funny kid!

The boys got these super cute Grinch and Max stuffed animals from St. Nick.

The boys wooden shoes all filled from St. Nick.

My newfound favorite "craft", cakepops!! I made these cute reindeer for our family St. Nicholas party. The are soooooo yummy and fun to make.

Some of the group at the st. Nicholas party.

Cooper the Snooper is 6!!

2010-12-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Cooper was such a happy baby!

I love this picture. We had just bought a new camera and this was the first picture I took. He looks so silly in it!

Cooper is 2 in this picture and this was taken a week before we moved to St. George.

Cooper loved to sit on this chair on the balcony of our house in St. George.

One of Coopers favorite places to be is the beach. He wants to live in Hawaii and would love if he could take swimming lessons every day all year long. He loved going to Sand Hollow Resevoir.

He LOVES the camera.

On his 3rd birthday he was so excited to get this toy that he wanted more than anything.

Our friends mom drives a mini-cooper and so Cooper of course loves to sit in it. She tells him he can have it when hes's 16. I hope she does!!

Cooper vs Cooper

Sometimes Cooper isn't happy, but we love him anyways! :)

I love this kid more than life itself. He says the sweetest things and gives the best hugs.

Happy Birthday Cooper!!

I'm thankful every single moment of every day for you in my life.

So Blessed

2010-11-25T10:33:00.000-07:00

Happy

Thanksgiving

I'm so grateful for my husband and all those little boys at my house! I'm so thankful for our families that support us and for my friends and neighbors. I'm grateful for my Savior, cause without Him I wouldn't have any of these blessings. Have a safe, fun, gut busting thanksgiving!

The T-Mobile Welcome Back

2010-11-05T16:05:00.000-06:00

love ya.lyn: The LDS Church Explained With Cars

2010-11-05T11:56:00.000-06:00

love ya.lyn: The LDS Church Explained With Cars

Pumpkins, Halloween and more Halloween!

2010-11-02T11:42:00.001-06:00

We love going to the Pumpkin Walk in Syracuse every year. The boys love seeing the different pumpkins and I love that its free!!

Zack wanted to pose with all the blow up decorations.

Mixing his brew.

Cooper got in on the action.

Ahhhhhhh!!

My cute hubby!!

The boys posed with every cute little sign.

See my cute kids in the pumpkin patch? :)

My best friend Liseanne, and her sister (left) and her mom, Annice (right) help organize and run the pumpkin walk. They sit out in the cold for three nights counting people.

One last picture!!

Buzz Lightyear aka Ryker attended his brothers halloween parade at the school.

Bronson was happy (like always!) and enjoyed watching all the kids.

Cooper aka Iron Man made an appearance also!

Zack was Indiana Jones, I completely missed Matthew, Mom Of the Year, I know!!

Next in the lineup was our ward party and trunk or treat. Bronson was the cutest Chewbacca I've ever seen!!

Buzz was not so happy, and had a bad night. This was before the crying and screaming began, fun!! :)

Thank goodness for a happy baby Chewey!!

Matthew the football player was grumpy too. I think we'll skip halloween next year since everyone was ornery!

My cute nephew, Kohyn, had a good time. Well, for about 30 minutes he had a good time and then he too was bitten by the grumpy bug!!

Dante, Gavin and Zack

Zack and his best buddy, Dante.

Indy all ready for trick or treating

Matthew and our neighbor Jackson hitting the streets for some candy!!

*Not pictured trick or treating*

Cooper-He didn't want to go out in the rain and cold, so he passed out candy at home with Matt

Ryker-Fell asleep watching cartoons and so we left him to sleep!!

Bronson-Stayed at home where it was warm and dry!!

Fall Family Photos

2010-10-14T23:02:00.001-06:00

Bronson

We finally got some family pictures done!! I love having updated ones, but I hate the self-induced stress I put on myself during the process of doing them. I love this one of Bronson. He was blowing raspberries instead of smiling and Julie caught this cute picture,

I can't believe how grown up Cooper looks here!! Lady Killer right there!!

Matthew is my little scientist. He's growing up so fast

I told Julie I wanted pictures of the boys throwing leaves and she did not dissapoint!

My 5 handsome boys!!

A road picture was also a requirement and I love how it turned out.

Not an easy task getting everyone looking at the same place at the same time, while holding still!

Ryker was in a rotten mood and this was one of the rare smiling moments. :)

Last family picture of the day and I love the look.

I love my family!

Mr. and Mrs!!

Precious!!

We still know how to have a good time.

Boys, boys boys!!

Away we go!

Man, I love this little boy!! Notice the socks? I know, I rock!! ;)

He's giving Julie a piece of his mind!

He loves his mommy

He's 2, 'nough said!

Zack is my GQ kid. I need to get him into modeling!

Super cute picture of daddy and Bronson

Love throwing leaves!!

Thanks Julie for doing a great job even when you were feeling horrible! Visit Julie's blog here to see her other projects and to contact her for pictures.

Pirate Island Pizza!

2010-09-10T21:48:00.005-06:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to Pirate Island Pizza for my sister-in-law Julies birthday. It was about and hour and fifteen minute drive for us, but she wanted to go BAD!! We went in St. George and so the kids were super excited to go again! We ordered the Kraken pizza to split. Ben and Matthew used their mad ninja knife skills to serve it up! And yes, there was nothing left of this at the end of the night.
Ben about to take the first piece.

Richard, Tara and their family live a lot closer so it was a quick drive for them to come too!

Ryker never misses a chance to get his picture taken!

The party goers enjoying their food! Julie is second on the right with the glasses and we love her!!

Ryker and his best friend/cousin Kohyn diggin in. They are so funny together and of course had to sit next to each other!! Kohyn always looks a little drunk when I take his picture. :)

Rich and his family.

We had a blast and hope that they put one in Layton so we can go all the time. Well, only if they make it a buffet like the St. George one!!

Woa, Woa, I Gotta Go! Back to School, AGAIN!!

2010-09-01T14:53:00.004-06:00

Its that time of year again, that all mother's look forward to just like the kids look forward to Christmas. Back to school time!!
Matthew started 4th grade this year. I can't believe how grown up he is! I remember 4th grade, vividly!! Cooper was sooooooo excited to begin kindergarten. Like, counting down the minutes for two weeks excited!

He had to throw a gangsta pose in there too!

Zack started 3rd grade and couldn't wait to meet his teacher. Zack loves school, especially the social aspect. Hmmmm, wonder where he gets that from?

Three kids in school, 2 left to go!! Very exciting for me, I mean them! :)

Ryker just woke up and wanted to be in the picture. He's a ray of sunshine this morning!

Cooper and his friends Ben (L) and Judd (R). Kindergartners only had an hour of school this day and then they come back individually for 30 minute testing and then not again until the next week. It was a looooooooong week!

I'm so grateful that my kids love school, because I have to reservations about what Jr. High will mean in a few more years. I'm enjoying their delight in going now while it lasts!

Elder Van Komen

2010-08-25T12:20:00.002-06:00

Matt's baby brother Ben got his mission call two weeks ago. He has been called to serve in the Seattle Washington Mission. We are so proud of Ben and will miss him while he's gone. He is the funnest uncle and we know he will be the best missionary!! We love you Ben!!

Sunny St. George

2010-08-25T11:26:00.006-06:00

Ok, so I have been a blog slacker and now I'm going to play catch up!! Here goes... We took a trip to St. George at the first of August. A big group of Matt's family were going to hike The Narrows in Zions National Park. The rest of us were going to stay at the condo in St. George and have fun. Ryker has been potty training and this is Matt teaching him to pee in the weeds of the side of the freeway. Zack decided he would lend his expertise too! Potty training and 5 hour car rides are fun!!
First morning at the condo and the boys are chillaxin while we figure out what to do that day.

Zack and Preston are best buds! They were so excited to see each other while Preston was here from Pennsylvania.

Ryker LOVES avacados, so when Aunt Julie whipped this one out he was right there waiting for a bite. We call him a little birdie cause he just stands there with his mouth wide open waiting for you to put something in it!!

Bronson loves his Aunt Mary and we were so happy she came down for one night.

Matthew and Cooper waiting to go to Pirate Island Pizza.

I've heard about Pirate Island Pizza from St. George blogging friends so we went in search of it. We were not dissapointed!! It was super fun!

Bronson's not to thrilled about being a pirate!

The whole place was decorated so cute and the boys had a blast exploring it.

Aunt Julie has declared this place "One of the coolest restaurants EVER!!" She really wants to be a pirate!

My super cute niece, Paisley, had to eat mush instead of pizza, bummer!

Cooper sporting the crouching pirate pose.

Everyone enjoying their food.

Zack and Preston are inseperable.

This side also eating!

Ryker can clean a watermelon piece!

The kids would have been tickled pink to spend the 3 days just in the pool. Cooper got to put his newly learned swimming skills to use.

Zack is a fish as well!

Oma Van Komen took care of Bronson so I could help all the kids in the pool. Thank goodness for Oma!!

Ryker was snitching Uncle Nicks cookies!

The day we had to pick up the hikers in Zions we were waiting for the shuttle. And waiting....and waiting....and waiting......... We waited for 4 1/2 hours!! Ryker waved this flag at every shuttle bus that pulled in for 2 hours!!

Bronson was happy for a little while, before the heat got to him.

It was great fun trying to entertain these two in the heat for 4 1/2 hours. They were troopers though, but we were happy to leave!!

We had a great trip and all the kids want to move back to ST. George now!!

It's Great to Be 8!!

2010-08-01T15:28:00.005-06:00

Yesterday was Zack's baptism day. He has been looking forward to this for a long time. I had this towel made for him to use after he got out of the water. He was very excited to get it since Matthew had one for his baptism.
Look how handsome he is!! Zack got to wear the suit for the first time yesterday. I think he was just as excited to wear it!

Look at all my boys!! Sometimes its hard to believe their all mine! :) They are pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Their all ready to go! What a good looking pair they make.

Julie, Tara, Tamryn and Richelle having a treat afterwards.

My cute nephew, Tate, has the best smiles!

My niece Kassidy liked her oreo.

Lots of kids came to see Zack.

Oma and Opa Van Komen helped make Zack's day special. They gave him a beautiful set of scriptures with his name on them and of course they were green!

Matt and I are so proud of Zack. He is such a sweet boy and we are so glad he is apart of our family. He has always been the most easy going kid. He has the best smile too, we always call it the joker smile. =)

Grandpa Steve and Bronson, and Grandma Cheryl came to support Zack. They were so helpful with Bronson and getting all the treats ready for me.

Zack was so blessed to have his great grandparents there, Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Barbara came an hour away to see Zack be baptized. Grandpa Jerry also confirmed Zack a member of the church. What a lucky boy!!

It was a wonderful day and we are so grateful for all the family member who came to share it with us.

Zack's 8th Birthday!!

2010-07-18T07:54:00.005-06:00

Zack had a great 8th birthday. I can't believe he is already 8!! Time flies by. The night before his birthday, his Grover cousins brought him his present. Crabs!! They got him two hermit crabs named, Hermie and Spike. Zack is in love with them!
Zack found these cupcakes in a cook book of my friends and wanted them for his birthday. Thank goodness my friend Michelle came to help me make them!

Michelle at about 1am giving the shark their teeth. We are very proud of ourselves of how these turned out! We've also realized that things get pretty silly at 1am listening to talk radio and naming shark cupcakes!

The traditional birthday breakfast. My kids LOVE having their initial in a pancake on their birthday.

Zacks first glimpse of the jaws cupcakes!

Bronson and Aunt Mishelle haven't seen eachother for two whole days!! They really missed one another. :)

A new splash pad just opened up in Riverdale. These are the best inventions ever!! We loved going to the splash pads when we lived in St. George and they were everywhere, get with the program northern Utah!! We got there right when they turned on the water and when we left two hours later it was packed. Tons of free fun!

Several of our party boys playing on the toys!!

Zack had a fabulous party with all his buddies.

The sharks were melting in the sun so we let the kids dig in!! I didn't even care how messy they got, cause I just sent them back to the water to wash off, puuuuuurrrrrrrrfect!

The party group of boys!!

Later that night we had family over for cake and ice cream again! Yes I'm a slacker and made him cupcakes for his party, but bought a cake for the family party. It was delicious though!

My kids are fish, and they want to scuba dive like Matt, so when we saw these snorkel sets we grabbed one up for Zack. He was super excited when he saw this and wore the fins around the house all night!

Our new Iguana webkinz. Zack loves webkinz, but hasn't had a new one in over a year so he couldn't play them online anymore. He was super spoiled and his Aunt Mary got him a cute green frog and his brothers gave him this green iguana. Can you guess that Zack likes green?

Another Birthday Down

2010-07-14T17:13:00.004-06:00

We have two birthdays in July, Matt's is the 13th and Zack's is the 15th. Matt worked all day, but when he got home the festivities began!! Bronson was chillaxin in his jump-a-roo while Matt opened his presents.
The boys went shopping with me and they picked out his gifts. I got him the tie he's holding. This year is the Boy Scouts 100th anniversary. Matt is big into scouting and they had this anniversary tie, so now he has a big boy tie without any cartoon characters on it!

Cooper and Ryker picked out this alien game. The Claaaawwww!!

Ryker picked out a goldfish cracker holder for daddy. He also got a giant bouncy ball, another board game and a whoopie cushion. Kids pick out the best stuff, right? :)

We then ventured to Famous Dave's for dinner. We had a buy 1 get 1 free coupon so it made it even sweeter! Famous Daves has the cutest and best waitress on the planet!

The boys snacking on an appetizer while waiting for the food.

Bob (Matt's Dad) Ben (Brother) Shelby(brother's friend) and Nick (Brother) all came to celebrate with us.

Our fabulous waitress!! Matt's sister Mary is the best waitress Famous Dave's has ever had!! Didn't I tell you she was cute?

After dinner we were off to Pack Meeting. It was Zacks first time and they all got awards from scout camp last week.

If you are unfamilier with cub scouts let me explain. The do cheers for pretty much anything. They have a box full of them and the boys each get to pick one when they are up at the front. Zack picked the 6 shooter one. You pull your guns out shoot them and then blow the smoke. Super fun!!

After pack meeting we had a strawberry cheesecake for Matt. Ryker is an excellent candle blower outer. No lit candles are safe with him around!!

Ryker kept eating the strawberry glaze of the top. He didn't think we would notice his lips and finger covered in it!!

We had a great day and Matt loved it all. Happy Birthday Babe!!

Freakin Fabulous Fourth!!

2010-07-08T14:48:00.006-06:00

We had a little wait until the parade started, so Ryker took this time to play with his truck and trwaiwer. Matt was busy getting his menu signs ready for his food booth.
Bronson is always just happy to be there and looked darling on his first 4th of July!

All my boys waiting for the candy!!

I love coordinating all their outfits, Matt hates it. I win!

This is a rare photo of Cooper at the parade. Shortly after this he threw a fit because he wasn't getting any candy, then he declined help getting candy, then he went and sat in the suburban.

Bronson and mommy waiting for the parade. It was a little chilly that morning, unbelievable for the 4th.

Still waiting............

Ryker taking a breather (only a breather despite his position!).

Zack has been getting a full face paint at West Point days since he was 1. The first year his entire face was painted like Spider Man. He sat for 15 minutes at 1 years old getting his face painted (he did turn 2 two weeks later, but still!). They were only painting patiotic faces this year.

Cooper taking on the climbing wall.

Matthew looking for that next grip.

Zack just about to the top!

Matt chatting with a customer about some yummy food.

Matthew and Bronson spending some brotherly time together.

Our neighbor boy, Tavin hired himself to work in the booth. After an hour or two he demanded $50 for his wage. He was promptly fired. Matt paid him $5, plus all the food and drink he had consumed all day and sent him on his way. :)

Matt had a fun day cooking food. The weather was perfect and the people were friendly. We were exhausted and didn't even stay for fireworks.

Another July 4th gone by and now for the rest of summer.

Eclipse Night, or Night of Hundreds of Women Fawning over an 18 year olds musculy chest!

2010-06-30T09:48:00.004-06:00

Last night a huge group of my family and friends went to see Eclipse. A friend of mine rented out the theater and I helped her sell the tickets, so the whole theater was full of people I know (pretty much). Before we went my sweet neighbor sent me a picture of the Cullen Crest and asked if I could cut it out on my vinyl machine with my iron on material and we could put it on some shirts. Ideas always sounds so much better when they are just that, ideas! Because it was such an intricate design and we were cutting out ten, it took my machine over an hour to cut 6. Then it had to cool down for 20 minutes before we could start the next ones. My friend Liseanne and I were doing these until we walked out the door, but we were only 20 minutes late for dinner and they turned out so cute that it was worth it!! Bronson got to go with the girls on account that I'm his meal ticket!! So of course he had to have a shirt too!! He's Team Edward by the way.
My friend Michelle, my mom and my super cute sister-in-law Julie waiting for their food at Chili's.

Don't know the girl on the far left, then my brand new sister-in-law Autumn, friend Stacey, sister Mishelle, Bronson and my friend Michelle's mom. We had fun at dinner even though our waiter was super grumpy. Anything we asked him for he mumbled and grumbled away to get it. And I'm just talking napkins here, not some strange food request. He did sound like Tone Loc and if you don't know who that is stop reading right now. I was going to ask him to say, "Lez Do it!" and then bust out singing Wild Thang, but everyone thought that wasn't such a good idea!

Bronson had tons of women to love on him the whole night!

My neighbor Debbie is in the middle, it was her idea for the shirts and she went to Chili's with her group too so we had to get a group picture of the t-shirt girls. Liseanne doesn't even look like she's preggo with twins!! She did almost try to steal some chips and salsa. You can't take some people anywhere!!

My good friend Julie J holding her surrogate child Bronson. She thumb wrestled my sister over him and then whisked him away until he tried to get a little dinner from her and then he was promptly returned! That little boy has so many people that love him and would even kidnap him if he wasn't on the boobweiser!! He is a lucky boy and I'm grateful for all those that help me out with him.

Cheesy Mishelle!

Waiting for the show to start in the sweltering theater. I think they were trying to give us an idea of how Jacob must feel. If you don't know what I'm talking about then you should stop reading now.

We had a fun night and it was heaven to get out with the girls. One of my favorite moments of the evening was listening to my new brother-in-law Dave (yes he's been to all 3 with us and is very strong in his masculinity!) trying to covince his wife Mary to tell him who Bella finally picks. She wouldn't say and he was getting mad so she told him she picks Jacob and he says ok. Then waits a few minutes and loudly whispers, LIAR!! It was hi-lar-i-ous!!

Grover Family Reunion goes Shishin!

2010-06-19T17:06:00.004-06:00

Our Grover family reunion was today and it was held at a trout farm in Ogden. It was so fun for the kids to get to go fishing. Cooper fed the fish all his fish food before we even started fishing.
Grandmas pointing to the fish I assume, but I don't know what Ryker is pointing at. That's by brother Jake and his wife Naoko in the background.

This is my sweet nephew Ty. Isn't he just the cutest thing? They live an hour away so we don't get to see him as often as we would like.

This is Rykers new way to say cheese.

Matthew was 5 the last time we came here. He is getting so big!

Zack is waiting patiently for mom to say its time to fish!

My adorable niece, Brittney. This girl should have been my daughter. She is just like me at that age!

Brittnew with her dad, my brother, Rusty. He broke his leg over Mother's Day weekend and has had two surgeries and TONS of pain. This is the first time I've seen him out of bed since before the accident. He rocks the walker chair!!

My cousin Kelli was there with her darling kids. I only managed to get Bodhi to let me take his picture. Ryker and Bodhi are about 4 months difference in age. They were so cute!

My dad and his brother and sister. Awwwwwww!

Me and my cousin Kelli. We were best friends growing up and alway had a blast. We caused a lot of trouble too!!

Daddy's Gone, So We Will Play!!

2010-06-18T15:26:00.003-06:00

Matt had to go out of town for some hazmat training and so we are spending Father's Day without him. I feel bad that he will be spending it by himself since there is only one other guy with him at the training until Monday. Let's just say they are not exactly "friends". So I told him to make himself breakfast, well I guess he'll have to buy it! We miss you honey and hope you have a good time. Pictures to come of what we will be doing for 10 days!!

Saturday Night Fever

2010-06-01T16:10:00.002-06:00

Bronson has had a rotten cough for about two weeks. Friday he woke up running a fever. The dr said not to worry unless it gets up to 100.4, then call. I took his temp around 1:30 and it was 100.8 so off the the dr.'s we went. When we got there he was 102!! Our fabulous pediatrician started looking at all possible causes. When he couldn't find any visible reasons of why he was running such a high fever he told me now we need to start looking at things we can't see. So Bronson had to have a catheter so they could get a urine sample, then they poked each arm trying to get a blood sample. He was not a happy boy! We got the results from the urine sample while we were still there and everything looked perfect. So we went home to wait for the blood results. We got those later that night and they were fine too. We then got instructions for tylenol and what to do if anything got worse. I felt so bad for my poor baby, but he finally got some tylenol in him and he was a little more comfortable. He ran a high fever up until Sunday when it dropped to about 100.8, which was better but still not good. Finally, when he woke up yesterday all was good! He still has a yucky cough, but he's smiling big! Just about to cough

Jack Nicholson eyebrows!

A little grin.

Love the dimples!!

Funny Little Hans

2010-05-22T16:06:00.003-06:00

Coopers graduation from preschool was today. He has gone to Kiddie Kollege the last two years and is super excited for Kindergarten in the fall. I even went to Kiddie Kollege and its still the same, I love it!! He's getting all pumped up before the program starts.
The kids all sing songs that they've learned throughout the year. They do a bunch of different countries. Of course Cooper was the dutch boy! He looked so stinking cute. His Opa (grandpa) thought he looked like a good dutch boy! When I went to Kiddie Kollege I was the dutch girl! Who knew?!

Singing the last song. He did such a good job!!

Cooper and Ryker cheesing for the camera!!

Yes, they're goofy, and they're mine and I love them!!

Congratulations Coop!!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-10T16:40:00.004-06:00

Mother's Day was a little downplayed since we had had such a busy week with Nick's wedding and our wards day of service. We also blessed Bronson on mother's day so we were quite busy!! We finally got a decent picture of all of us! I can't believe everyone is looking in the same directions and smiling.

I know that we are color coordinated, but these are the clothes we wore to the wedding (pictures to come) and we wanted to wear them again. Plus, we were so busy all week there wasn't much in clean clothes to choose from!

Five little monkeys!!

Such handsome boys!

This is Matt's Grandpa and Grandma. What a special memory to have Bronson's only great grandparents there!

After the blessing we went to a park for a bbq. My nephew Brenden had fun giving

Ryker a push.

My mom and her best friend Suzanne. The sun was out, but the wind was blowing so my mom kept Bronson all bundled up.

Matt's best friend Jonny 5 taking a drink break. He was a great help all weekend with the wedding and blessing.

Matt's brother Ben and Matt grilling the burgers and hotdogs.

Grandma Barbara, Grandpa Jerry, Opa and Matt's sister Rachel with little Sophia in the background. Rachel came from Denver for the wedding and was able to stay for the blessing.

My nephew Brantley!

Morgan and Liz warming up in the sun.

Opa and Oma with Bronson. He wetted down his white blessing outfit before we could get a picture with them in it.

It has been a long and hectic week and the kids were feeling it too. Cooper went and crashed at Oma's house.

We've got another one down!! Zack looks like he was walking by and just fell asleep!

Much Ado About Nothing

2010-04-27T13:21:00.005-06:00

Nothing all that exciting has been happening around our house. Just the same old, same old. So I thought I'd post some random pics that we've taken over the last week. I've been trying to get some pictures of Bronson with Matt's camera, I am NOT a good photographer! Some were ok, but none I want to print and put on the wall. I'll keep trying though. Isn't he cute? He gets the double chin from me!
Matthew was practicing piano and Ryker just sat next to him. When I snapped this he decided to take a call from his calculator phone.

Poor Indy got the snips this week. Matt thinks this look says, "Where did they go?". We are hoping that he will calm down a little and not be so hyper. We took him to a great/cheap place in Clearfield and he is doing good.

Zack loves to play games on the computer. He logs onto Matt's facebook and has a farm, aquarium, cafe, island and lots of pets. I'm not sure the gang sign he's throwing here, but I tried to do that with my fingers and couldn't!

More of baby Bronson! He's so sweet. He can be a little stinker and he likes to fuss, but it seems to be getting better (I hope). He was looking at Matt in the picture.

He didn't want to share the spotlight I guess!!

See what my kids have to deal with?

I was trying Bronsons blessing outfit on him to make sure it fit cause I ordered it online. I'm pretty picky about blessing outfits for my boys. I do NOT like anything satin or shiny. I abhor little tuxedos or knickers. Hence, I have to search far and wide to find simple white outfits. My sister found this one on BabyGap.com. It was $14.50, can't beat that!! My neighbor made the blanket and GAVE it to me after I posted on Facebook that I needed someone to knit/crochet me one. I'm in heaven!!

We are blessing Bronson on May 9th, yes Mother's Day. Our church starts at 11 and then we are going to a nearby park to bbq. All are invited, so if you read this blog and haven't heard from me personally, consider yourself welcome!!

Handsome Boy!! I couldn't get him to crack a smile for anything.

I LOVE baby feet!! I took a different one earlier in this photo session and was looking at the picture on the computer and realized he had sock fuzzies stuck between his toes. I got it all cleaned out for this one at least!

Rocket Man

2010-04-23T15:01:00.002-06:00

Our little Elton Ryker!! Too cute not to post!

Curly-locks

2010-04-09T11:55:00.002-06:00

I need to just take a moment and express my utter delight in Bronsons hair! I love it!! It is so curly and just curls up so tight when its been wet. I know some people out there are probably thinking this girl is nuts, its just hair. But as a person who has had stick straight hair her entire life. Not counting the dozens of perms, of course. I love playing with his curly hair!
Its so long and the color is super fantastic. Who knows how long it will stay like this so I plan to enjoy it!! The poor kid gets a scalp massage anytime someone holds him. Nobody can keep their hands off his head! :)

I don't know why there is blue on his face. I was fixing his red eye and it left the blue. I couldn't fix that so there you go. I am completely in love with this little monkey!

Easter 2010

2010-04-08T11:20:00.005-06:00

Zack concentrating very hard on his decorating.
All 5 boys in one picture, yay!! And only one not looking at the camera, pretty good.

Ryker thought it was lots of fun even though he was running a 102 fever. Poor guy.

Cooper colored the most and basically just used one color.

Rykers hands were a rainbow of colors!!

Checking out the basket loot! We let Ryker sleep in since he didn't feel well all night.

Bronson with his first Easter basket. He was thrilled, of course!

Daddy and Bronson are pooped.

Later that day we went to my brother, Rusty's house for lunch and egg hunt. I think Ryker got the most out of all the kids even the big ones.

I was following Ryker around and only got a picture of Zack. Mother of The Year, I know.

Ryker was super excited about all the eggs. I think I might keep his bucket out and make him clean up toys this way!

Ryker and his cousin Ty having a faceoff. Ryker was helping Ty earlier get some eggs and then Ty decided he would just get them out of Rykers bucket. They were too cute!!

All the kids checking out the haul!

We had a fabulous Easter, we just wish it would have been warm!

Little Lambs

2010-03-23T15:18:00.003-06:00

Yesterday me and the boys, Matt's mom, his sister Rachel and her 5 girls went to Tremonton to Matt's grandparents house and sheep farm. We always go every spring to see the baby lambs. Yesterday was special cause there were twins born just that morning. Grandpa Jerry showing the kids one of the lambs. I love Matt's grandparents. I have totally adopted them as my own! My boys love going to their house and visiting with them.
Matthew and all the kids were amazed at how big the newborns were. They were soft and
fun to pet.

All the "older" kids took turns holding them.

Zack was pretty excited to hold the new lamb.

Ryker was ok just watching from afar. Bronson spent his time in the nice warm dry house with his great Grandma that he met for the first time.

The hay pile was tons of fun for the kids to climb on. I think we brought a whole bale home inside their shoes and pants!!

Ryker liked being up big!

Cooper was all smiles even though it was cold. His cousin Tamma doesn't look to happpy though.

Ryker and Sophia checking out the mama sheep. They stood like this for about 5 minutes.

We had a great time visiting Grandma and Grandpa Buchanan along with Liz' family. The kids were worn out and smelled pretty fresh too by the time we left!!

All Because Two People Fell In Love.....

2010-03-14T12:40:00.002-06:00

Happy 12th Anniversary Honey!!

I can't believe I've been married for 12 years!! Matt and I met in 1994 and began dating. I have been with him for 16 years!!! That's how old I was when we met! I look back at all the things we've accomplished and survived together and am amazed and proud! One of the things I love about our relationship is we still have fun.
Whenever I see our wedding photos I'm amazed at my lack of double chin, just kidding! Or maybe Matt's abundunce of hair on top of his head!! Totally joking, you know I love your hair babe! :) We were truly just kids and thought we knew everything. We made it when lots of people doubted we would and I am thankful every day that I married him. I'm so grateful for the 5(gasp!) children we have. I can't imagine life without any of them including Bronson who has only been with us a week! Thanks for all the good times babe and yes, even the crappy times, cause it makes us appreciate when its good. I love you!

Tanning Oasis

2010-03-11T17:30:00.002-07:00

So like his brother's before him, Bronson is a "yellow" baby. I am 5 for 5 on jaundice kids!! Unfortunatly his level got to high yesterday and we had to get him som billi lights. This is how he spent the entire night last night except when he was eating or getting diaper changed. We are hoping that his blood levels will come down quickly so we can hold and snuggle him all we want!!

Baby Monkey

2010-03-08T09:04:00.004-07:00

The boys finally got to come see their new baby brother that they had heard all about. It was very hard for them to wait their turn. Ryker would have been happy to skip his turn. He doesn't want to be next to Bronson, but he likes to keep tabs on him.

They think he is great!!

My older brother, Andy, came to visit us. He was completely enraptured!! He also gave Bronson his first wet willie. He just wanted to get it out of the way!

Ryker came with Matt to pick us up on Sunday. He had fun running around the room and eating my lunch. One of the nurses kept trying to take him home with her. He didn't really want to go for that!

While we were waiting for the picture lady to come around we took some pictures of our own. I love his hair!!

Pictures are a little out of order. Bronson hanging out in his bassinet.

NO PAPARAZZI!!

We are so glad to be home and thankful for all the help we had with the boys and everyone who came to visit.

Welcome Bronson!!

2010-03-05T18:23:00.003-07:00

Bronson Henry Van Komen
March 5, 2010
9 lbs. 6 oz. 21 inches
9:17 am

We are very excited to announce Bronson's arrival. He is a big boy and we are already completely in love with him. Pictures to come. We are so happy Bronson has joined our family.

Its the Final Countdown!

2010-03-02T12:21:00.003-07:00

So we have our orders. On Thursday I have to check into the hospital at 7 pm and have Cervidil administered. After a slumber party in labor and delivery the plan is to begin the pitocin in the morning and get this little monkey here sometime on friday. This plan was put into action at my dr. appointment a week ago because I hadn't begun to dialate. After measuring me and doing an ultrasound my dr. came to the realization that this little boy is a little on the big side, around 8 lbs already. Now, all my other boys were between 8lbs and 8'10 so this is "normal" for me. But, at the time of the ultrasound we were still two weeks from the scheduled induction. So, he could truly gain up to 2 more pounds!! My brain and my nether regions are both screaming "NO" at this point! So he wants me at the hospital the night before to help me out. I went to my last dr. appointment yesterday and thank goodness I'm at a 2. So I thought that maybe he would just have me come in friday morning to start the PIT. Oh no, he said even though I've started to dialate he still wants me thursday night just to make sure everything is nice and flexible. He also told me that the Cervidil usually just puts moms in labor. I'm secretly sort of hoping for this outcome.

I have been induced with my first two and went on my own with the last two. I have had to have PIT with all four, but at least the last two I already had my epidural so I couldn't feel those horrid contractions. I very much prefer to go on my own, but this baby doesn't seem to want to play that game. So we are now in complete "Get ready for baby mode". The older three boys are super excited, but Ryker, of course, had no idea how inside out his world is about to turn. It actually makes me feel sorry for him! I am completely ready to have my body back under control (well except the milk makers!). I can't wait to snuggle and just stare at my newest little guy. I am amazed that I'm about to be the mom of 5 kids!! When did I grow up? I feel like we just had our first. I am so thankful for all these little boys that I have been blessed with. All I wanted to be when I grew up was a mom and I'm so glad I have that opportunity.

I am feeling a little nervous for the birth. I have had such good experiences before that I can't help but think that I have played the odds to much and something has to be tough at some point. Zack was my most complicated with forceps and the vaccum, but I lived through that just fine. I can't wait to post all the cute baby pictures on my blog in a few days. Get ready baby, you are about to join the 5 little monkeys!!

January 2010 Catch Up

2010-02-24T19:32:00.005-07:00

I have been a major blogging slacker. I was looking through pictures on my computer and realized I never posted any from Jr. Jazz and Matthews birthday. So here we go! Matthew was so excited to start playing basketball. This is his first year, and they somehow talked Matt into coaching. Matt doesn't even know how to play, which has been interesting! All the pictures of him playing were blurry so this is the only one!

Cooper loves anything and everything hamster related. This little stuffed one from a happy meal has been a great stand in for his real hamster, Hammie. Yes, amazingly he still lives, but Cooper can't really hold him. So he is perfectly content to play with this "Hammie".

Uncle Nick has come to a few of Matthew's games and all the boys love it when he's around.

Matthew got to have a small sleepover party for his birthday the weeked before his actual birthday. A couple of neighbor boys, two of his cousins and his good longtime buddy Hunter came for the fun. I can't believe how much pizza these boys put away! I'm going to have to start a food fund for when he's a teenager!

Matthew loves Bakugans and I found this cute cupcake cake at Walmart for about $13. It was a hit!

Ryker was contemplating lifes problems and exactly how he was going to taste test the frosting without me seeing! This is a new pose he strikes quite often and it totally cracks me up!

Blowing out the big number 9!

Yes, I'm posting a pregnant picture. Yes, I do realize that my shirt is a little see through. Normally I had a sweater on over it, but was just too hot. Matt was kind enough to point out he could see my bra. Thanks babe!

Everyone playing Rock Band. They played this for HOURS!! Best investment Santa has ever made!

A couple days later on his real birthday which is Jan. 12th not the 11th like the picture says he got to have his birthday breakfast complete with pancakes in the shape of "M"s. This is a traditions we do every year for each person in our family.

That night he got sung to again and my family came over to celebrate. The cake is not a cake, but peanut butter fingers. We have quite a few birthdays in January and get a little "caked" out. I can't believe that my oldest son in 9! Thanks for playing catch up with me!!

Eye of the Tiger

2010-02-16T13:00:00.003-07:00

Zack had an animal report that he had to do for school. The kids get to choose the animal, research it, write a report and make a 3D model of their animal. They got roughly two weeks to complete the work. Zack has been great. Every day he had to work on some aspect of the project. On Saturday I realized all he had left to do was the 3D model. Now, the kids can choose anything they want to make the model out of. I tried to get him to use rice krispie treats and then "paint" it with icing. No go. He wanted it out of wood. So we started trying to find a pattern online to help cut it out. Matt had a master plan in his head of how to do it, so Matt and Zack spent about two hours in the garage yesterday cutting out the layers of wood and the backdrop. Yes, Zack learned how to use the wood cutting tools. He brought it inside and he and I began painting it. Once painted, Matt used a commercial hot glue gun to put it together since the tiger is actually pouncing and has to balance on the back legs. Zack had such a great time painting his tiger, especially the stripes!
Here is the finished product. I made Matt take the boys to school instead of riding the bus so that all that work would "survive" the transfer. Matt even made their day by taking them early so they could eat breakfast at school, which they love, but the bus doesn't come early enough for. Downside was Matt getting pulled over in our subdivision on the way back, Oooops!!

Stop, Drop & Roll

2010-02-11T17:53:00.002-07:00

Last week Cooper's preschool went to the West Point Fire Station for a field trip. He was just a tad bit excited to get in the big fire truck! He was also pretty excited that dad went with him too. Cooper wants a fire truck to drive when he's a dad, cause the trucks are red which of course is his favorite color.
Silly boy. He grinned like this the entire time. He loves going on field trips, we also went to the post office a few weeks ago and a policeman (actually a SWAT member) came to his school and Cooper loved looking in his car.

Pretty handsome boy if I do say so myself!!

35 Weeks and Counting....

2010-02-08T20:07:00.003-07:00

I am sooooo done being pregnant! I am actually one of those annoying women who LIKE being pregnant. Yes, those people do exist! But I have to admit, I've had my fun and I'd like to get off the gestating train please. According to the dr. this baby is on the large size. As in, going by my measurements I should be due next week when in fact I have 5 weeks left!! I'm now wondering if I should just register him for preschool now. I'm really hoping that the super cute outfit for the hospital will even fit! Along with buying diapers for the chunky monkey, I have seriously considered buying some for myself. I have no illusions of my ability to retain bladder control after I have birthed my sweet little baby.

I have also managed to pull my hamstring while trying to drag the dumb dog into the house. I'm pretty sure your hamstring is somewhere in your thigh and runs up through your groin. This is where my pain is centered. Right in the target zone of the birthing process. My dr. gave me a glimmer of hope for relief in reminding me that when I have my epidural at least I won't be in pain from the hamstring! GReeeaaaaatttt. So, needless to say I have hit that turning point where even though I will have a newborn to care for, be up all night with and have permanatly attached to my chest for a good half year or more, I want my body back. I want to be able to breathe, pick up things, drink water without reflux and snuggle with my hubby.

My dear sweet dr. told me today that he believes we should plan for some medical intervention if I haven't gone into labor on my own by March 8th. I have done two inductions and two on my own deliveries. I have to say I am sooo for going on your own. I wholeheartedly agree with March 8th, but I will be doing anything I can to make it happen before!! Sorry for the vent session, but in several months I'll be able to read this and smile at my crazed impatient pregnant self!!

Calgon, take me away!

2010-02-02T17:19:00.003-07:00

I have a serious case of the blahs right now! I'm sick of winter, snow and inversion! I want to feel the sun on my face and sand between my toes. I'm also just about at the end of my rope of being pregnant. Usually I don't feel this way until about the last two weeks, but I am soooooo done! I keep reminding myself that taking care of the baby is TONS easier right now, but I'm tired of not being able to breathe, walk etc..
So bear with me throughout this post as I indulge in a good old fashion pity party with me as the guest of honor. I found myself scrolling through our Hawaii pictures (big mistake!) and wishing somehow I could be there. The weather was perfect day and night. The water like a bathtub and it was heaven just getting to spend time with my hubby. I was even glad for all his family members that were there too, cause it made it even more fun.

Matt is like a kid and will try anything! Him and his brothers kept us and most of the beach entertained trying to skim board. That's one of the great things about Matt's family. They are always willing to try things. I love that they don't make anyone feel bad if they don't want to participate. There was no way I was going snorkeling or getting deep enough in the water that something might eat me (I need therapy, I know, but that's just the tip of the iceberg!). I was completely happy and content to chill on the beach with a book or swim, just up to my shoulders of course and not one person (except Matt) gave me any grief about it. There was plenty of people for Matt to snorkle with till he was all pruny.

Anyways!! I've got major cabin fever and am ready for spring and a new baby! I can barely walk and am glad for my wonderful husband who has been helping out so much. I guess you could call this a perk to him having no work? He's around the house a lot, so he does chores and runs the kids around or just lets me take a nap when the mood strikes me. Believe me, I would much rather him have jobs right now, but I've decided to be grateful for what I have right now while he's home. I love you hone, mahalo!

Happy Birthday Liseanne!!

2010-01-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Today is my BFF, Liseanne's, birthday. We haven't always been friends. In fact, in high school she was in the super cool drama club and couldn't associate with lowly's like me!!
This is Liseanne's retarded arm. It always goes with us wherever we go!! Liseanne is the best partner in crime. We have fun doing a variety of activities, but mostly we have to settle for late night runs to Wal-mart, cause its the only time we can go together with no kids! She's the best crafter ever and has a small addiction to cherry coke and anything chocolate mint.

Liseanne, I hope your birthday is wonderful and you get all the stroopwafels you can handle!! Thanks for being a great friend, even to someone with my status in high school!! :)

Happy Birthday Melissa (from Matt)

2010-01-18T09:45:00.006-07:00

Happy birthday Melissa I know melisssa dosen't like any photos of her self, but this is one of the only ones I could find of her by herself. sorry babe

Melissa is always with the boy she loves them so much. This one with Zack at Disneyland. Look at those beautyful blue Eyes.

I love this one with cooper what a great mom she is great with the kids

I love Melissa and her sence of humor. It is what makes it possible to make it through the tough times and makes the good times even better.

Look at the two young kids in this photo. Almost 12 years of fun. I wouldn't change anything.

here she is way back in school. Many Many Many Years Ago :)

Another high school photo with some of her dance buddies. She loves to dance. I still catch her doing dance moves when old songs come on. OK maybe she dosen't go all out but I can see it in her eyes she wants to bust out and dance away.

Here she is with another one of our boy I think it is Ryker. It was hard to find a photo when she wasen't with one of our boys. That just shows how great she is with our boys.

She likes the kids so much she brought this one on our aniversory outing at the Little America. I guess it was OK he was still on the boobwiser.

Here she is with all the kids on Rykers Baby Blessing.

This one is at the park in St. George. The boys loves to go here. They could go every day if we let them. It was just a little walk away from our house.

Melissa alway has a smile on her face when she holds the little ones. I love her so much. I am glad to have spent 16 Birthday with her, Wow that is more than half . Love you honey hope you had a great weekend, and looking forward to many more.

Happy 25 Birthday ;)

Matt

Happy 9th Birthday Matthew!!

2010-01-12T14:24:00.005-07:00

I can't believe that my first baby is 9 today!! Matt said to me this morning, have we really been parents for 9 years? My thought was, I've been changing diapers for 9 years!! Just kidding. :) I can't believe how fast the time has flown. Its so surreal to look at this little newborn picture and think of Matthew today.
Oh, we were so young!! I had wanted to be a mom for so long, and I sort of freaked out when they sent me home with him!! I fell in love with him immediatly and he very rarely left my side.

Matthew's first Van Komen family reunion with Matt's Opa. What did I used to do with myself when I only had to look after him?

1st Birthday cake is the best!! It actually took him a while to "dig" in. In fact, he wouldn't put his hands in it, he ate it straight off the plate!! Too funny.

All my boys have LOVED the bath. Matthew was content to stay there for hours.

Matthew's second Halloween and he adored spongebob. Zack was just a baby and he was Patrick. I can't believe how little he is!!

Matthew was very excited to come see Ryker at the hospital. He is an awesome big brother.

When we lived in St. George there was a fishing pond down the street from our house. The boys loved going there and they always caught some.

Matthew and Zack are best buddies. Sometimes I have to remember that they are 18 months apart and not the same age! They love doing things together.

Matthew loves celebrating St. Nicholas. I don't even have to force him up there anymore. He can't wait for his turn!

What a wonderful, sweet person Matthew is. He loves school and is super smart. He loves to read and likes going to scouts. He had a great time playing football in the fall and has just started basketball which he loves. He told me he wants to try it all so he knows what he likes. Smart kid!! He also started piano lessons last week and is enjoying being able to read the notes.

Time has gone by so quickly. He has grown up so fast. He told me this morning that he can't wait until his next birthday cause its double digits!! I remember thinking the same thing. I love him so much and am so blessed to have him as my child. We had been trying for so long to have a baby that I was a little depressed. He brought everything to my life that was missing and more. I look forward to all the accomplishments he will make and watching him grow. I love you Matthew. Happy Birthday!!

Christmas 2009 & Happy New Years!

2010-01-04T14:38:00.006-07:00

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. There were several people in our lives that made this possible and from the bottom of my heart I thank them!

Every Christmas morning we all go in together. This way know one can ruin a surprise for anyone else and we get to see everyone's faces. I could barely get them to sit still for this picture and Ryker didn't want to even be awake! I normally don't do completely matching jammies, but you can't pass up a $2 bargain last February!! They don't care, they loved them.
Everyone checking out the goods and finding their stuff. Zack zeroed in on his Rock Band 2. Santa brought our family a Wii which worked out great for Zack so his RB2 would work. Smart Santa!

The ONLY thing Ryker wanted was the transformer Devastator. He was so happy that he got one.

Ryker got a super cute table with train and car tracks for his train and car obsession! He has really enjoyed playing with it.

Zack was just too excited for RB2. He also got a Mr. Bump figure since he's our accident prone child!

I think Santa had the hardest time with Matthew this year. He didn't want anything until the last two weeks before Christmas. And what did he ask for you say? A warm coat. Yes, he even told Santa that when he sat on his lap. What a great mother I feel like when your child asks for a warm coat over anything else for Christmas. :)

Matthew was pretty happy with his AXE shower gel. He has decided in the past year that he likes to smell like a man and this is what men use!

The warm coat.

The happy boy.

Ryker and Indy taking a break!

Zack was glad to see Santa left him some AXE products also. He was super glad to get some "armpit AXE"!

Matt got a new dive vest and dive computer from Santa. Its to bad he didn't leave us plane tickets to a tropical spot so Matt can use this while I hold the beach down!

Serenading us to Rock Band.

Cooper was most happy with his "tubes"!! His hamster Hammie got some new additions to his cage. We call it the balcony and penthouse!

Ryker was just content to play with his wooden trucks!

Santa always brings Matt a jumbo bag of gummy bears.

There are no pictures of me, but I got a new camera for Christmas.

Matt and I at his parents house enjoying Christmas.

Zack showing off his new watch with his favorite uncle Mark!

New Years Eve at Club Van Komen. Matt's brother's Ben and Nick ringing in the new year. Nick got engaged to his longtime sweety Autumn on Christmas day and Ben will be on a mission next year so this is the last holiday season before much change in the family.

Rykers' not quite sure why we are all still up and drinking soda so late!

Ben and Nick making a 2010 and Ryker trying to help out too!

Poor Cooper had been running a fever all day and crashed pretty early on.

We had a wonderful holiday season and are extremely grateful to family and friends for making it possible.

Secret Santa

2009-12-22T13:05:00.003-07:00

Life has been pretty quiet the past week for us. Matt had a few catering jobs last week and besides that we've been home. Yesterday Matt's mom, Janie, called us and asked if we'd like to help her be secret santa's for a family that is very down on their luck right now. We found out that they have been eating top ramen for a while now and that's all. We were very excited to help out and show the kids about giving at Christmas.

Matt and his mom went to Sam's Club first while I stayed home with a sleeping Ryker and Matthew went to scouts. They bought the family some toilet paper and tissues and other things. They picked us up and we went to Albertsons to buy them some food. The boys had a great time putting things in the cart that they like, of course, and things we told them the family might like. We also got them some cleaning products cause those things run out too and Janie said that most people don't think about giving laundry soap and toilet cleaner even though they are needed greatly too.

Our cashier asked if we were Christmas shopping and Janie told her we were doing a secret santa for a family in our neighborhood. She teared up and told us how wonderful that was and that she had been a S.S. recipient just the night before!! She told us she and her husband had no way to buy some food and were just sick trying to figure it out. She was so appreciative and sincere, I truly hope the people that did it for her realize how great her need was and how grateful she was. It was truly a great evening. The boys thought it was so much fun to put all the sacks on their front porch and ring the doorbell and leave.

We had several conversations throughout the night of why we did it, and how helpful and in need this family was. What a great Christmas tradition and experience!

I was going to take pictures of us shopping and stuff, but Matt took my camera to exchange it and we couldn't use it.

E.R. Trip

2009-12-16T09:03:00.003-07:00

**GRAPHIC**

So Monday night I was putting the boys to bed and Matt went out back to pull his smoker into the garage. Its pretty big and heavy and super awkward to move by yourself and Matt sliced his finger on the metal. I was unaware of any of this until he called me from the kitchen to come quickly. My white sink was covered in blood. I was expecting to see a body part lying in there until he peeled back the skin on the inside of his middle finger. It was just pumping out blood and we couldn't get it to stop. He tried putting super glue on it, but it wouldn't stop bleeding so the glue could dry. I made an executive decision that he needed to go to the E.R.. It was after 10 and the boys were in bed, so I called my father-in-law, Bob, and asked if he could take Matt. He was there within 5 minutes and they were off.
Two hours later Matt came home with 5 stitches and a finger splint. Needless to say he has to be careful where he puts his hand on the steering wheel!! Of course, Matt is already overduing it and not following doctors orders. This is very hard for him since his hands are the means of our livelihood. I hope that it heals well and extra quickly. :) As you can tell by the picture, he was not to happy about me posting this. I told him this is my journal and we need to document it!!

2009-12-08T13:51:00.001-07:00

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Snakes & Scales

2009-12-05T16:41:00.006-07:00

Thursday was Coop's 6th birthday. He LOVED the crown he got at pre-school the day before. He had to wear it for his birthday breakfast.
All Cooper wanted for his b-day was a hamster. He opened the cage after breakfast and then we took him shopping for his hamster. Matt is just getting ready to put it in the cage.

Complete entertainment!

Meet Hammie the Hamster. She is a dwarf hamster so she is super tiny and has no tail.

For his party that night, we had the Reptile Rescue come show us some spiders snakes and lizards. A big shout out to the Kiddie Kollege for letting us have it there.

Cooper was ecstatic to be the Jr. Explorer and hold this corn snake.

Oops, sideways. Jeremy showed us two snakes that are the same kind, but look totally different.

Cooper had the best night learning all about these animals.

All the kids were totally enthralled. Even Liseanne got right up there to listen while he showed off this python.

The highlight of the night was the alligator. Everyone got to feel the side of it and got a good laugh when Jeremy counted his fingers after he put it back in its bucket.

Cooper got to be first to hold the boa. He was in heaven!!

Matthew wasn't scared at all. He loved it!

Zack thinks we should get one of these at our house. Not gonna happen!!

I'm a slaaaaave, for you!!

Liseanne is no chicken. She was the only "mom" who would hold the snake. I had to talk her out of wearing her bikini for this picture.

Matt looks at ease and ponders the snake!!

Cooper had a snake cupcake cake that everyone loved.

Coop loved getting a 5 dollar bill for his 5th birthday. Getting presents so close to Christmas actually is good for him. It gives him something to do and takes his mind off of the presents to come. Well, for a while anyways!

What a fun birthday. Educational and exciting. I highly reccomend having the Reptile Rescue do a party again.

We love you Cooper the Snooper!!

5 Years Already!

2009-12-03T06:00:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that Cooper is 5 today. WOW the time flies!! He was the only pregnancy that I was super sick during and knowing his temperment now, I understand!!
Cooper is truly his own person. We have our rough times, and they can be rough! But the good times are fantastic!! He is so funny and comes up with the most interesting and cutest things.

He can be bouncing around one minute and yelling and having a blast and then can sit down and put together a puzzle over and over again and not even make a peep!!

I love Coopers smile. That smile means a lot and some days its hard to come by, but it truly makes my day! His whole face smiles!

Cooper wants to know everything about anything. He always wants to know why, when and where. He also can come up with the best excuses and reasons. I always give him an A for effort and creativity.

I love the quiet moments when he is (willing) to snuggle. During these times I hold him close and remember that he is my sweet boy and how much I love him no matter how frustrated he makes me. :)

What a firecracker he is, but we are so blessed and grateful he is a part of our family. He always keeps us entertained and is very excited for his new baby brother to come out! He loves preschool (most days) but can't wait until next year when he gets to ride the bus and got to the "boys" school. I love this little boy so much and am glad he's mine. :)

Some of Cooper's favorite things are:

The color Red

Transformers

Hamsters

Patches (his blanket)

Chicken Nuggets

Root Beer

Singing primary songs
Going to California (both of them)

(the one where he went that Jon lived, and the one where Disneyland is!)

Iron Man

Names he wants to name the baby are:

Bionicle
Devastator

Cooper 2

Danke

2009-11-25T21:49:00.002-07:00

The past two days I have been doing a lot of thinking of the things that I am grateful for. One person just kept popping up in my mind. I just couldn't get their face out of my head!! At least its a handsome face right?! I am so grateful for my wonderful husband. I never could have imagined after meeting him at that first wrestling meet that here we would be just shy of 15 years later!! We met 15 years ago next month. I can't believe that we are still madly in love with almost 5 boys!! I am so thankful for his talents and knowledge of things I just don't get. He still makes me laugh and I LOVE when he makes our boys laugh. I go all googley when I see him holding our newborns, and helping a toddler walk, and wrestling with a preschooler and watching him baptize our 8 year old and teaching them how to fix things and how they work. He is the best daddy. Matt is always willing to try new things. Its just exasperating that he's always good at all of the things he trys!! :) I love you babe! Thanks for being my best friend.
I am also thankful for my boys. All I ever wanted to be when I grew up was a mom. Who knew I would be a mom to 5 boys though!! Lots of people ask me if I'm sad or mad that I have only boys. How could I be mad or sad at 4 1/2 beautiful healthy boys? There was a time when getting pregnant and staying that way didn't come so easily. In my prayers I used to tell Heavenly Father that I would take however many he would send. Even if it was one or none. There's no way I'm getting picky about gender!! Each of my boys are so unique and special. I can't imagine my life without them. I love when they make stuff for me or pick something out special for me. Zack always makes sure I get something pink, cause I'm a girl you know? I always tell Matt, when all is said and done the only thing that we'll have left or that really matters is family. I am forever grateful for my "little" family and all the ups and downs we have. Thanks honey for sharing in this roller coaster with me. I love all my boys!!!

GIVING THANKS

2009-11-25T15:03:00.002-07:00

Today, I am giving thanks to naptime!! I cannot keep up with my darling little 22 month old nephew. His sweet little mind just has to know how everything works, runs, tastes and explodes. I LOVE HIM!!