A few months ago, we went to an 80’s roller skating party. It was much fun, brought back many memories for Eric and I as we taught our children how to skate. Ben picked up the quickest out of the 5 learning. Maryann and Josh soon gave up and watched from the snack tables. At the end of the night, they played some games and Ben won the limbo on roller-skates! I was amazed for his first time out there. He did have a major advantage as he was the only child out there!
Getting our skates.
Maryann enjoying Mommy and Daddy skating by.
After an evening of skating, we were all ready for bed!
…So Ben’s prize for the limbo was a gift card to one of our favorite restaurants. He decided that it would be fun to take everyone out for dessert. So on Friday afternoon, we loaded up our big van that I’ve grown quite found of and headed out for a time of sweets. This restaurant has MONSTROUS size servings, so even with our excited children, we still did not finish all the desserts placed in front of us.
Gabe enjoying the afternoon from the carseat.
Maryann waiting for her serving.
The “Motherload Chocolate Cake”
Some of the animlas that keep an eye on us while we are eating!
The “Antler Chandelier”
Josh with the “pre dessert apple”
The “Icecream 
pie”
My favorite..White Chocolate Rasberry Creamcheese Pie
Laura and Eric after a game of tic tac toe.
And then that evening I picked up our Babysitter and Eris and I headed out on a double date with some good friends!
Dazzling In Grace 
Oh the days of rollerskating! It looks like so much fun!
Drooling over the “Motherlode” chocolate cake and wondering why in the world your son is eating an APPLE!!!
I think it’s so awesome the joy you have in doing things with your children AND that you take time for each other.
Here are two xanga moms you need to know, their families are a lot like yours http://purpleamethyst76.xanga.com/
http://resolved2worship.xanga.com/
@onehappymomma – When I put that picture on I thought someone might wonder why the apple! When you first walk in, there is this huge basket with litle apples. So my children always grab an apple on the way to our table. Then they eat that while waiting for their food. Or in this case dessert!!!
@broncomom – Thanks for the sweet note. Alyssa is actually one of my inspirations here on xanga. I followed her for months and then when she got pregnant, I wanted to share some stuff that I had experienced with my pregnancies and so I took the plunge and became a xanga member. I have really enjoyed blogging on here. And even more, I have enjoyed all the new friends I have made!! I don’t know the other mom you mentioned, but I asked her to be my friend this morning. 😉
Hi, I’m Shanda, nice to meet you! LOL Of course we can be friends…..we mom’s of many need to stick together! I look forward to getting to know you better….love, Shanda PS, you have a beautiful family and I love the title of your blog, “mysweetpeas” SO perfect!
oh, this brought back some memories!! i haven’t roller skated in YEARS – but keep promising the kids to take them one of these days and show them what a pro mom is.. er – uh, WAS!!! super fun post. you guys are such an adorable family.