Life is Beautiful

a few of our latest adventures!

2009-10-13T11:35:00.000-07:00

Whitney was spoiled to go to "the big apple" NYC for her 12yr old birthday--special trip with Dad and boy did they just see and do it all there--the highlight of course was 7th row seats to see WICKED! So fun! We have our first day of school and fabulous camping! I think to myself WOW--If this was all we did to keep busy---LOL

Where have we been?

2009-10-11T14:20:00.000-07:00

OOH just not the blogger girl, but i may try just a little--let you know we are going from this crew to 6 kids! YEAH due Jan 2010! of course it is going to be a surprise!

Our Porch in the Spring!

2009-04-23T20:12:00.000-07:00

Spring is on the porch in Texas!

Holiday Memories

2009-01-05T09:46:00.000-08:00

wow talk about catch up! it has been a memorable few months and thought we'd share just a few pictures to recap what we've been up too! Thanksgiving was awesome with grandparents and Matt's brothers family and Christmas in Texas is never boring either! we were so glad to make a trip to see our dear friends the Hills on a big ranch they are over in Paducah---total cowboy country! the kids were in heaven!

Life is beautiful

SLEEP----over?

2008-11-07T20:44:00.000-08:00

k seriously--can't decide right now if i am for the sleepover idea or not! i grew up with my mother believing nothing good came from sleepovers---but you know with such dear friends and family near by--there a few just thrown in and i feel good about it dang-it---LOL---or don't I!

anyway won't go on about that and get all serious, but just say that this book is amazingly fun by the way--love the Woods! and right now this is how i feel at this hour---i am the old lady by the way! LOL! our napping house is finally coming to sleep but i just wait for our little flee to sneeze!!!!!!!!!--to early in the morning!

YEP--we found the mountains in TEXAS!

2008-11-07T18:17:00.001-08:00

WOW it was so great! we went with our dear friend the heidenreichs and had a wonderful time in texoma--yep, that'd be the border of Texas and Oklahoma! Great camping and fishing and just made our daddy so dang happy---all the rest of us too of course--OOHH it just made us giddy as we started puttn' up the tent, the smell of campfire, tinfoil dinners, smores, sittn' and stories by the fire---AHHH love it!

Dallas just keeps saying to me," mom, wasn't it fun when we went camping!"

Life is beautiful!

K-- the apple bobbing (and a few more)

2008-11-07T17:50:00.000-08:00

First Annual Fall/Halloween Party!

2008-11-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

K---all i can say is that we had 14 families here and dang we had a blast! so many details that i won't even start--but my way fav was the apple bobbing! my dear friend steph and i can seriously kick it up a notch! LOL

The Fall Festivities! OH YEAH!

2008-11-07T16:38:00.000-08:00

OHH the fall! i love it! K--but wow this month seemed like the party month! We had our first Annual Fall Party with a Halloween twist---from apple bobbing to pumpkin carving, dough-nuts on a string, and dang---the beloved treats! It's thee best time of year to make a great excuse to just overdue it on treats---til you could be quite sick---or just have fun looking at them!

The kids always LOVE dressing up---all except Jake--couldn't stand the horse or ape! So ----he was just attached at the hip!

The weather here in Texas is just awesome! A nice 70-80 degrees, with a slight wind--(always) and the leaves are just now changing--can you believe it? Just beautiful and another reason to believe that life is truly beautiful!

more catch-up!

2008-09-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

a few more little beauties!

Life is so dang awesome! Lets make it beautiful--everyday!

Ketchup--no Catch up!

2008-09-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

So i know i have been a little out of the keeping up with what is going on, but i only blog so much ya know---how much is to much? So here are a few things that we have been up to! Project Tuesdays,Parks,more birthdays,finding my favorite (one of my favorites) pair of shoes---Life is truly beautitul!

What a blast!

2008-08-28T20:19:00.001-07:00

Ya know--i just hope everyone enjoys there family like we do! this reunion every year is such a huge event! we all laugh so hard and stay up so late and eat the best food! wow it is a work out just having this much fun!

we have to include: cd's of our crazy music and one for everyone of course, great t shirts, menus and kitchen help planned out to a "T", scheduled events and just plenty of time to play! we had an amazing time!

...Life truly is beautiful!

Birthdays in the Summer!

2008-07-22T13:18:00.000-07:00

what a blast! birthdays are the best--my kids are just growing up and it kills me, i really could go on and on but i won't --they are my life and just so dang fun to be with---Life is beautiful!

Summer Time!--all the time in TEXAS

2008-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

k--seriously if i say summer time--that basically is the life in Texas! We have sure enjoyed the blessings of a beautiful pool--(just gotta have some serious sun screen)with all day swims, late night swims, bbq and into the pool again, watching mom do flips off the diving board--OUCH-- but seriously fun, Ryan's great Twilight camp for our Bear, making muddy buddies with dad--and dang just some great photos to share!

Life is beautiful!

The Doll Party

2008-07-05T07:13:00.000-07:00

Amazing! we had such a beautiful day! Our World War II era for a fun doll party! All the girls brought their dolls and we had a beauty parlor, general store, soda shop, cafeteria and a nursing station where they were able to certify as a nurse! We made some pretty great things! i was in charge of the nursing kits and classes and wendee and estee made a the most amazing things as well! Wendee and the kids have done these parties as they grew up and so i feel so blessed to be able to get involved! It is nothing but amazing and the efforts were tremendous! WOW what a blast! our group shot is so fun---they all were given a nursing pin as they got certified! Notice the capes and aprons for everyone--including their dolls! SO FUN! Wendee you are amazing!

Life is beautiful

pure love

2008-06-03T20:11:00.001-07:00

thanks to you Dal, i love it!

Moab!

2008-06-03T20:04:00.001-07:00

a just for fun trip to Utah--better then ever!

2008-06-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

k--this trip was so much fun and seemed to last forever--which is so good! we really feel like we packed alot in and want to always do this! A great trip just for fun! saw lots of friends and family, took a trip to Matt's parents cabin and a trip with my family to Moab--hiked and also had 8inches of snow---all in one trip! WOW what a blast!

attached at the hip and growing up!

2008-05-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

you never know what is inside

2008-04-29T20:24:00.000-07:00

K i must say i do love this table! Got it 10 years ago at a garage sale in my beloved VA---k--seriously! we love it! it all started with my children of course putting all of their little toys and stuff in it---it has just slowly gathered odds and ends of all sorts and it never has a dull moment--the kids open the drawer and play for hourse in the same spot---so ya know we try to make it look nice---but really this table is just for the kids now!

life is beautiful!

nothing but that homemade taste!

2008-04-25T16:02:00.000-07:00

"mom, when are you gonna make your strawberry jam?" ryan this is for you buddy! this is one thing that makes you really feel domestic! do you really want to know how much sugar is in this stuff?

the armodillo

2008-04-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

K--dang our first armodillo experience---and wow can they rip up your yard! I was just rocking my jake and the kids yelled " mom, look!"--sure enough he was out--usually they only come out during the night! so we called matt, to scott, to wendee, to Garrett to come with the shot gone--and wow my cute nephew came in all his glory--LOL! he did the job!

during the hunt!

2008-03-24T13:43:00.000-07:00

we had such a great Easter egg hunt here at our house with a yummy BBQ and some
great friends! WOW--a perfect day with perfect weather! these pictures were taken by our good friend dan trythall---thanks so much dan!

life truly is so beautiful!

just hopping around!

2008-03-13T09:34:00.000-07:00

eliza and emma had such a great time at their preschool Easter Party! Could you die how cute? they grew their own grass in their baskets! Miss rosanne is amazing! and of course Dallas was so anxious for their return!

Spring is at my door!

2008-03-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

i must say--i did my a little spring arrangement for my entry way--- i do love to change my floweres seasonally--or monthly dangit---kinda fun--picked them from the backyard--NOT--good ol' Hobby Lobby--my second home actually! Don't you love wild flowers! Happy Spring!

she starts the fire!

2008-03-13T06:36:00.000-07:00

k i know the green slate is bad--but another time we will take that out--BUT my whitney is the best little fire starter--yes we have had quite cold temps here in TX and she just took off with being in charge--after dad showed her once--she's a pro! i love it!

i am in love with every inch!

2008-03-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

i really can't describe the feelings that overwhelm me when i hold this little one--how can we just not want an even 12! all i can say is that i don't get a whole lot done--but i do love on him! YUM!

SOOOOOO it does snow in Texas!

2008-03-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

ok so my kids were---i really can't tell you how excited they were---i totally let them sleep in and play in our little snow and then took them to school--no harm in that right? no one could believe we still had school but hey--atleast we got to play in it and we actually saved some in our freezer! So fun huh? Oh how we do miss the snow--but you know a week later---we'll have 75 degrees--so i really can't complain!

oh how does your garden grow?

2008-02-25T09:25:00.001-08:00

yeah! or should i say "Yee-ha" our first garden and we are thrilled about it! we all helped and it was so dang fun! the kids are so excited to harvest all of the fun things we planted! grandpa hyde was here and helped us out as well--oh how we loved having them with us!

we were able to plant: peas, carrots, spinach, variety of lettuce, beets, turnips, onions, garlic and potatos--and we are starting some herbs as well!

we can plant more towards the end of march but for TEXAS folk this is what you plant in February!

can't wait til harvest season!

"my gobbles!"

2008-02-25T09:21:00.000-08:00

could this be cuter--dallas and his "gobbles!" it all happened after he and ryan got in mom and dad's big tub with their swim goggles on! he loves having them on all the time now and always has them around his neck! SOOOO CUTE! they just sqooosh his little cheeks and eyes so hard when he has them on but hey he likes to do it himself and just loves to run around showing all of us his gobbles! LOL

song for a 5th child

2008-02-21T09:50:00.000-08:00

Song for a Fifth Child...(or any child)

A note from my mom--always --always helping me remember the most beautiful!
Oh how i love my babies--i feel the more i have the more precious they become? Oh i don't know but this feeling is heaven sent! Just see if you can read without crying!
thanks my dearest mommy!

i received a wonderful book from a dear friend of mine "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. i loved it and recommend it completely. very lifting. she quoted part of one of my most favorite poems...can hardly read it without crying. its title is Song for a Fifth Child, but i think it could go for any, don't you? Have a read.

Mother, oh Mother, come shake out your cloth

 empty the dustpan, poison the moth, 
hang out the washing and butter the bread, 
sew on a button and make up a bed. 

Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
 She's up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.   
Oh, I've grown shiftless as Little Boy Blue 
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo). 
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due 
(pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peekaboo). 

The shopping's not done and there's nothing for stew 
and out in the yard there's a hullabaloo 
but I'm playing Kanga and this is my Roo. 
Look! Aren't her eyes the most wonderful hue? 
(lullaby, rockaby, lullaby loo).   

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow, 
for children grow up, as I've learned to my sorrow. 
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep. 
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep.

daddy daughter date!

2008-02-15T07:33:00.000-08:00

going on a date with dad!

i did it!

2008-02-15T07:27:00.001-08:00

k --a bit hesitant showing like "what we do" but had to share how i distressed my bathroom cabinets--yeah! kinda fun huh!

happy valentines day!

2008-02-15T07:23:00.001-08:00

our fun little traditional valentines breakfast--thanks to my mom and dad for always doing it with us!

"tea time"

2008-02-14T12:48:00.000-08:00

did i mention our tea party! during the holidays we had such a blast--our new tradition---decking out for a tea party--yes mom even did it! it was so fun: pedicures, facials, waxing, lessons in painting--and the back ground music to go along of course! we did at the grahams --a memorable one for the hyde book!

good friends!

2008-02-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

yeah what a treat! my dear friend Shannon came out for a surprise! Greg--thank you so much for arranging this! WOW it was so great! a blast to everything girls are good at: laughing, eating, talking talking talking, shopping--you name it--we had a blast! Sure love you Shan!

heres for you Trace---love you so much!

2008-01-17T18:51:00.000-08:00

so not all the way done--but have a good start--i love the ol' farm house feel!--come and help me girl!--you are the queen of decor!

A few fun touches!

2008-01-09T17:04:00.001-08:00

K had to share that i love quilts for tablecloth decor and i do love grapevine--these have a few fun berries--not to christmasy looking and found them on a killer deal at target--3 perfect and just meant for me! Dang i must say i do love to accesorize!AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH do i love it--doesn't mean i am good--just mean that i enjoy it!

our nativity--can't forget these

2008-01-08T20:44:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas Nativity!

2008-01-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

of course our annual awesome nativity--it was a pure delight and will be so memorable! love this time of year!

merry christmas!

2007-12-31T07:36:00.000-08:00

we hope you all had a very merry christmas! Santa sure did have fun at the Hydes!

thee best recipe

2007-12-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

this is a seriously awesome dessert--you must try it and tell me what ya'll think!
thanks sister amos for this fabulous recipe!

2 c sour cream
2 blocks cream cheese
2 c whipping cream
2 c powdered sugar
1 angel food cake
2 pkgs frozen mixed berries!

*cream powdered sugar and cream cheese. Add sour cream than add whipped cream (whip and sweeten). Cut up angel food cake into bite size pieces and fold into cream mixture. Layer in your beautiful Trifal dish, starting with cake mixture and ending with berries on top!

I like to keep mine frozen right up until i layer them! YUM!

some favorite decor items!

2007-12-05T20:13:00.001-08:00

we had visitors!

2007-12-05T20:02:00.000-08:00

we feel so lucky to have had matt's side of the fam visit!

Brian and Melissa and their beautiful kids & Amy and John and their beautiful kids!

We really tried hard to jam in alot of fun in such a short time!

come again soon guys--and ya'll are always invited!

Isn't it all about rolls!

2007-12-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

thanksgiving was so wonderful with scott and wendee--it is all about rolls though isn't it--ha--lol! I guess turkey is good to have too--oh and all the other stuff--BUT big yummies were a BIG hit!

here are a few fun pictures------YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH it was cold too! YEEE--HA!

best of all matt surprised us and was here for dinner--he was on call and totally sure he wouldn't be with us on thanksgiving--so we were all so happy! we had actually done a pre-thanksgiving dinner with the works the night before--scott's idea just for matt! So thoughtful!

organizing!

2007-11-26T15:04:00.000-08:00

k seriously--i love the container store and just had to share the quaint ring organizer---dang i just need more fingers! LOL

3 is not a crowd!

2007-11-26T14:54:00.000-08:00

these three are always together! it is simply so fun to hear them play their imagination play and they could go for days--in fact they do go for days! we are so grateful to live by some of our dear family--wish we could all be together 24/7! I thank Father in heaven daily for my precious family!

Emma Dallas and Eliza--just can't get enough of eachother!

Dinosaurs!

2007-11-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

what a great day we had at our Texas Heard Museum! The dinosaurs came back!
Isn't this a great shot! The kids had a great time --cousins, cousins, cousins='s FUN!

little jake

2007-11-26T14:49:00.001-08:00

Our little jake-)-didn't mean to put two pictures of mom and dad up--so excuse that! ) He is our little charm!

blessing jake

2007-11-26T14:39:00.000-08:00

It was such a beautiful day and a beautiful blessing from his wonderful daddy! We are so grateful for the priesthood in our home and the blessings it brings into our family! We sure wish you all could have been with us!

Life truly is beautiful!

just for fun!

2007-11-15T20:48:00.000-08:00

a time to be grateful

2007-11-15T20:44:00.000-08:00

Oh our little eliza jane--we had her thanksgiving feast at our preschool "little hearts" she was so excited. they got to choose between an indian or a pilgrim--ryan and eliza and dallas picked her outfit and wow--they did a great job! Oh i love it

Life truly is beautiful!

my little buddy

2007-11-15T20:37:00.000-08:00

jake is growing and just feeling a little more heavy everytime i pick him up--which is often. these times go so fast and make me so grateful to have a baby in the house--oh how we love them and love to smell and hold them. we love our jake and the sweet spirit he brings!

bath time

2007-11-15T20:33:00.001-08:00

Just had to add this--it was an early saturday morning and just had to get jake in the tub--the kids were out doing our morning chores and they took this picture-how can you resist! this is his favorite way to sit with mom--a little slump and he is so happy! anyhew--we thought this was cute!

halloween in texas

2007-11-01T11:29:00.001-07:00

Welcome Fall!

2007-11-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

pumpkin time

get hooked!

2007-10-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

need i say more? a great read for this halloween season---beware--there are 3! so get reading--i am having so much fun reading them---can't wait to get finish the 3rd

Family Gathering

2007-10-19T20:30:00.000-07:00

this was a way happy moment! while mom was here we got together plenty of course with scott and wendee and the kids---but this night out around our fire pit for tinfoil dinners was the coolest! Matt had just cut the grass and the weather was cool with a slight breeze and what is better than the smell of a camp fire--brings back a lot of childhood memories! it was so dang fun---the kids love it!

oh they grow to fast!

2007-10-19T20:20:00.000-07:00

jake is my little best friend these days--attached right at my hip and right at my nose--i am constantly smelling and kissing at him! i love the spirit that these precious babies bring with them, something so familiar and so soft...

Jacob Graham Hyde!

2007-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:00

AHHH! We are so excited to have our number 5 here with us! Born on Sept 20th--one day after Eliza's birthday--fun huh? 8lbs 5oz 22in long--kinda small for me--WOW! With a smooth induction, it was a beautiful experience--one that always makes me cry ---not just because of a little pain but becuase wow birth is a miracle and I can truly say i do want to do this again! YEAH! I just want to spend the rest of my days smelling his neck, kissing their sweet skin and smelling that sweet baby smell!

We are in heaven! Counting our blessings!

Matt came in with a huge vase of roses--he said he asked for 5 dozen but the sales person said they wouldn't fit in the vase---SO he fit 5 white roses among the red--for my 5 beautiful babies--fun huh? He is my sweetheart!

True Love

2007-09-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

I just can't stand it! I just ordered (if you can believe) 15 16x20 pictures of my beautiful babies and hubby--to be hung in my new house---I AM FREAKING OUT with excitement! I can't wait--and of course this is one of them!

Brothers

2007-09-11T12:37:00.000-07:00

I just love this! Ryan and Dallas share a bedroom again --(there cute beds aren't here til Novemeber--AH) but anyway--Dallas is determined to sleep with Ryan in Ryan's bed--though we transfer him to his bed when he falls asleep--we go into check on them and there is Dallas, right back in bed with his big brother! He just cries for Ryan if he isn't in the room with him and just won't sleep without him! I just treasure this picture. Ryan is so good too because he doesn't ever say a word about being crowded or not being able to sleep--he loves for Dallas to just cuddle up right next to him. Brothers--life is beautiful!

Anxiously Awaiting!

2007-09-10T06:52:00.000-07:00

My dearest little Ryan wanted to take his turn taking a little belly shot of mom--can you believe it--1 week left! Our sweet little number 5 is coming (if not sooner) on Sept 20th! Just one day after Eliza's birthday! So fun to have two close birthdays---don't think it could be any closer--haha! Thought we'd share our little shots of the pregnant mommy---not to much farther!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH we are anxiously awaiting! We'll keep you posted!

First Day of School in Texas at Hart Elementary!

2007-09-03T12:09:00.000-07:00

We have heard the awesome reviews of our Elementary and the kids --after having the tour and seeing how absolutely darling it is and just beautiful--they were quite excited! After meeting their teachers and all the new kids it made them feel even better! Ryan's teacher is actually LDS and just a cutie right out of BYU Idaho--and Whitney's teacher is an absolute scream--so fun and so dang funny!

So the first day happened--and unexpected--Ryan just broke down as mommy was leaving and Whitney was brave with her quivering lip---lets just say mom came home and i had the biggest cry in my dish towel standing alone in my kitchen---i wanted my mommy! But the day was a huge success when they came home just jumpn'n and telling me about the friends they made and how much they loved it! "I can't wait to go tomorrow" says Ryan!

Pear Pickn' in our Own Back Yard!

2007-09-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

Can you believe how fun! We have a few pear trees in our yard and boy was it fun to watch the kids pick them---that was so dang fun! We love it!

Counting my Blessings!

2007-09-03T11:30:00.000-07:00

Well well well---we are now going on 2 1/2 months here in awesome TX and really really enjoying it! Wow how fun it is to have Scott and Wendee and the kids here too--we just feel right at home with them here so close! The kids just are in heaven with cousins---YEAH! We are definately counting our blessings! I must say though i feel i am moving a bit slower than usual as i am going to have a baby in about 2 weeks so that is a good excuse right? So the unpacking believe it or not is still happening and i picture will be happening for the next few weeks---but i will try to accomplish it by the time our little "Jake" finishes cooking!

I thought i would compile a list of blessings to reflect on even though I come close to feeling like i am going to FREAK OUT at times! HAHA

I am so grateful for a fridge--even though it hasn't worked since we got here
I am so grateful for lighting in our home---even though the light switches dont' match up with the lights you would think they would and they are frequently going out and then just coming back on!-then oops--a light fixture falls from 20" feet up!AHH glad no one was hurt!

I am so grateful for an oven that'll work some day and not "burn the house down" as the fix it man said!

I am so grateful for water---even when you think a glass of water has been dropped, then suddenly a splash right in the face--shoot!

I am so grateful for a beautiful pool and the pool vacume and how it frequently requires a restling or two to get it going--you should have seen a 9 mo pregnant girl getting it to work--soaking herself, laughing , thinking i fixed it--looking up and having it squirt me heavily in the face--dang--should have had that on camera!

Enough with the fun and games--the house is so dang much fun and just full of charm and the old farm house feel--the porches are to die for and the kids frequent them daily with their fun little kittens!

We feel so blessed and are having a great transition--though why can't everyone come with you when you move? seriously!

I am so grateful for my sweet babies and my sweetest hubby who make my life so beautiful!

All in a row--and to Utah we go--to become Pirates you know!

2007-08-20T07:08:00.000-07:00

So after we had lined up all of our suit cases and got a little tired of smelling paint fumes we decided we just can't miss our Reunion in Utah up at Altamont! WOW the Leonard Graham Reunion is just awesome-- you wouldn't want to miss it! Amy and Craig did such a great job bein' in charge--Pirates ---ARRGGGH! Nonstop food, fun, swimming, bug catching, movies, more food, midnight snacks, board games, crawdad catching & lizards, treasure hunting, MUSIC--you name it we did it ARRRRGGGHHHH! -with the Pirates--"Never Forget" (Pirates of the Caribean theme)!

Our New Beginning

2007-08-20T06:56:00.001-07:00

Well when I got to Texas--we were so excited becuase our house was gonna go under a little change--we got some new carpet and than WOW we were blessed to find a great Home Restoration Co. through a guy in our ward that started STAT! It was so great--but a 2 week project turned into about 5 weeks--so this is where we were living while a few paint jobs, texturing, relighting, new countertops, new sink, stove, slate floor---were being put in! We did seriously want to pull our hair out at times--but thank goodness for our pool and Scott and Wendee and co.

Thankn' our Lucky Stars We're in TEXAS!

2007-08-14T07:51:00.000-07:00

YEE--HAA! Afer a serious month of crazy cosmetic surgery to our house we are finally moving in! We are just now as in 3 days ago--moving in boxes and unpacking our loot---dang how do we aquire a lot of "stuff" ---but hey after 13 years of bein' married and 4 kids--what can we expect right?

We are here and loving it! I have so much i feel in my heart as we recall our perfect world in Charlottesville, Virginia---it was like it was almost a dream! We love and miss it terribly and always will! We left part of our hearts in Virginia and will still depend on it for strength! 11 years and 4 kids has a lot to be said--fond, unforgettable memories and the best of friends.

We are so excited for a new chapter in our lives here in Lucas, TX and want to share it! So here comes our story!