Jon's defense mechanism

One of the kids pointed out that when Dad eats, he wraps his arm around his plate or bowl. As you can tell by his face, he takes his food very seriously. As one of the youngest of 6 I assume he learned this technique of guarding his food at an early age!

48 popsicles gone in an afternoon

I Why can't I just say no? "Mom can I have another popsicle?"

4th of July

Nothing better than the childhood memory of Ice Cream Cake

Micks new pet

She's so cute!

Jon says you can't tell if they are cute in the womb. I say you can!

What we come home too!

This is what Jon and I find when we come home from a night out. Ice cream on the face and shirts and everyone comftorably asleep on the couch!

The Growing Belly

My belly is expanding and so our my buttons. So I spent the morning on the computer buying belly bands and inserts, because I refuse to wear maternity jeans. And I may have bought a cute girly baby blankey just to snuggle with, until she comes! :)

Everyone needs to do a pillow fight!

The kids asked if they could have a pillow fight. We live on dirt, so I thought "Why not do it outside?" A month later and the feathers are still there! ooops!

"How to Train your Dragon"

We went to the movies last night to see "How to Train your Dragon." As we were leaving Maverick said..." I can ride my chicken like that."

The Boys in my Bed

I often walk into my room to find kids in my bed. Infact, I don't even think we need a Family room. I have said to Jon many times. "We need a house no bigger than this room, because this is where they all end up anyway!" Here are some of my favorite pictures of what I find on my bed. Or what I find in my face, as I wake up... (picture #3)

When Jon is Gone...

When Jon is on business I often get texts of the yummy food he is eating. Why does he do this?? I appreciate food...I do. But it is much more appreciated when I can eat it. Torture, pure torture! Wonder what he'll throw down this week...

They do love eachother! They do!

There are some days when I wonder if the fighting will ever stop. I hate contention. I know that sounds funny, because I am a "red" and I have never shyed away from a fight. Since I've been pregnant I'm super sensitive to arguing of any kind. I have to say, since I started homeschooling the kids are more united then ever. They know eachother, maybe even better than I know them. I like that. They quickly know if someone is sad, they've learned to help eachother and make eachother laugh. But there are those days where tension is tight. So when that is the case, I look at this picture. I hope they stay as close as this. I have a feeling, this baby will bring them even closer.

What?!?! A New Post!

Yes, I know... It's been a while. And for good reason. I became a Facebook Junkie. Im now a changed woman. I just read and cried to the blog of a good friend, and realized, I have missed out on journaling our family experiences via blog. So let it begin! I can not promise how frequent my post will be. I can not promise how eloquent and beautiful my blog may look. What I do hope for, is documented family memories. Ones that we say we always will remember, but so quickly forget. Unless....They are blogged!

Smells a little fishy!

Jake and Cord have been feeling independent lately. They headed down the trail to a little fishing um...swamp?? Anyway, I was laughing so hard when I saw what they brought home! A pretty good size Bass! So, they cleaned it up and cooked it up. They even ate it all and didn't get sick!

P- Day

The missionaries live with us, and apparently wanted to escape! This time one elder hung there for quite a while. Just long enough for me to get a picture!!

A day at Sea World

For Veterans Day Rachel and I took the kids to Sea World.

We probably could've just taken ourselves, and had just as much fun. Why...Why... I ask myself! We thought our dreams were dashed because of our age, until we saw an elderly well (like 50) year old man as a trainer. It's never too late, I smiled to myself! Not to mention the pregnant Dolphin Trainer! Wow, prego in a wetsuit!!!

Annual Pumpkin Carving at The Billings

We had our 3rd annual Pumpkin Carving at our house again this year. We had about 25 fun families show up to carve their pumpkins and eat good treats! So fun! My dad thought it would be fun to soak a roll of toilet paper in gasoline and set it inside the pumpkin. Hence the flaming pumpkin below! See ya again next year!

Let's get physical...Never to been seen of again!

Sooo humilating! I've been so wrapped up in stinkin facebooking that I let this stay on my blog WAY to long for others to view! But thanks for the support and laughs from my viewers. If you would like to subscribe to my unbeilievably difficult workout videos, feel free to contact me. Or if you would like it for comic relief that would be fine too. I wonder how many times a day I say, "Stupid Susan." Keeping this post on defiently made me say that outloud!

Little by little

My parents take the kids on thursday to teach them U.S. History and Art. Gotta love Grandparents! So I have time to myself! With Maverick asleep I decided to catch up on Blogging. Little by little I will post some old events, that I haven't had time to post before! Below Maverick's post is a post from our Havasupi hike. I don't know how it got out of order, but that's what I get for not keeping up with my blogging skills!

A week in Newport

A benefit to home schooling and our main reason why we home schooled this year was to spend a little more time together. So our first trip of the year was spent at the Newport Coast Marriott. I'm really thinking of just selling the house and living in a timeshare for 56 weeks of the year. People do that you know! The "suite life with the Billings" You would all be invited!

Rain Forest Cafe

Home Schooling not at home!

Playing games

Mavericks play room

Learning to play Skippo

It was the perfect time to go to the beach for a week. The weather was awesome, the water was warm, and there were no people. The kids snorkled for their first time. They saw Girabaldi's. Mick took his snorkle everywhere including to bed with him. We swam everyday at the pools, watched movies and ate a lot! The Fox's spent the weekend with us, and we had lots of good laughs. Ahhh, we need to live there!

Creative???

Many of you know I am homeschooling this year. We were reading a book about a boy who worked hard to get something he had always wanted. So, I asked them to write a creative paragraph on something they have really wanted. I said to be sure that the reader can feel and understand how badly you have wanted this item, and describe it clearly.

I think Jake did just that. I just question his desire for things?

He said...and I quote...
"Have you ever wanted something that you could not have at the time? You moaned and dreamed about it throughout your whole life? That from the first second of your first breath it stood out to you? I have. I have always wanted my own porta potty. They just look so rich and beautiful. They smell so good. Don't get me started with the sinks! They are so much fun to just sit there and pump with your foot. The soap smells so fresh! I don't know about you but it feels so good to not flush! I don't know what you have always wanted, but for me, it's a porta potty.

Should I send him to the Principle?

AMERICAN

"ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU, BUT WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY"-JFK

I HAVE REALIZED THIS ELECTION YEAR IS NOT A TIME TO BE "SICK OF OUR GOVERNMENT" OR ANNOYED WITH POLITICS AND CHOOSE TO AVOID IT, OR IGNORE IT. IT IS A TIME TO BE INDIVIDUALLY INVOLVED. MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
As you know this election year is big. This presidential election is not just a typical election of two politicians that disagree. It is values and principles we are fighting for. So I am actively speaking out. Just for those that are too far to hear my voice, you can read it.

YES ON PROP 8!

YES on 8 is the protection of marriage between a man and a woman. Already in California the gay and lesbian partnerships have many rights that will stay in place. This proposition will not take away those existing rights. What we are trying to keep in place is the definition of marriage. That marriage is reconized as being between a man and a woman.

If this is not passed, The definition of marriage will have no boundaries. Plural marriages, marriages of all kinds, will be fought, because legally the boundary was removed. Legally, it will be inputed in the cirriculum of public schools, not only would kids learn that homosexuality is equal to marriage, but sex education would include the Homosexuality side of "sex education." Adoption agencies would be sued for not adopting to gay couples. Church's that don't marry same sex couples would be fined in taxes. And that would be just the start.

WE STARTED OUT PROP 8 AS A "GOOD LUCK, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN EVENT." BUT BECAUSE OF THE VOICE AND ACTIVITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE, WE ARE NOW LEADING IN POLLS (AND WE ONLY HAVE 4 MORE WEEKS TO DO IT). PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW OF THIS PROPOSITION AND WHAT IT REALLY MEANS. FIND OUT MORE, AND EDUCATE MORE PEOPLE. GET INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THE ISSUES AND THE PEOPLE THAT BELIEVE IN MAINTAING THE VALUES YOU HOLD DEAR. VOTE!

for more information visit preservingmarriage.com

Our Day with Sarah

I just went to a Palin Rally on Saturday with Rey. We met up with one of my best friends Janel and her daughter and mom. (oh and 30,000 other people!) We had the best time. Janel, your passion for everything in this world is contagious! I can honestly say Sarah Palin is a woman of character and values. She is funny, down to earth, and has proven to get the job done (with 88% approval ratings no less). She was announced by a very left winged Womens Lib president, who the audience was shocked to have there, but said, in announcing Palin, “ this is what a feminist should look like.” Women fought to have their voices heard, not for women to be “Men haters” or anti moms, or loud voices with obnoxious mouths. They fought to have "class" restored to women. I admire Sarah Palin. The more you learn about her the more you respect her values, and her accomplishments. She has a great relationship with her husband. Her kids love her, and it is obvious they have a close family. Her extended family has character that is hard to find. If I wanted someone in office that represented me, my beliefs, dreams and standards, it would be her. I know women have a positive influence in this world. Good women that is. Prayers should be said for her and her family. I am sure there are days she would rather be sitting on her couch reading a magazine. But instead she has chosen to make some sacrifices for the future good of not only her children, but mine too. Go Palin!

Phelps in the Making

I would take a picture and I wish that I could, but all I can say is, Luke in a speedo, makes my eyes water from controlling my laughter. HA!!! I got him Jammers, because I thought those would suit him better, but just now he walked into my office wearing Jakes normal speedo. And I couldn't help but let out my laughter when he left the room, and blog about how cute that was!!!
Out of 4 boys, and swimmer parents, we are bound to create the next Michael Phelps...I think I'll just make sure Luke wears the Jammers.

Maverick Earned his Nickname

Just added this one, found him on the counter naked diving into some choc. cake!










Mav has been busy discovering all kinds of fun powders and chemicals over the past 2 weeks


Notice the No eye contact.... thats an expert move for avoiding punishment







So - each kid has had a nickname sometime or another. they come about different ways. We now have one for Mav. Not to disrespect Grandpa or anything but his middle name is Richard..... For some reason calling him "Little Dick" when we come upon a mess or something broken just softens the blow. Its great..... We get the same satisfaction or release of anger just calling him Little Dick as we would wackin his booty. I dont think it would work with our other kids but hey, if the name fits - use it!