Come what may and LOVE it!!

2011-12-20T14:46:00.000-08:00

**Merry Christmas to ALL**
Wow! It's Christmastime and man oh man do the days fly by with all there is to accomplish. School programs, ward functions, work and school parties...the list goes on and on. Needless to say I am glad for the Christmas season. The joy it brings to our home, the excitement of our kids, the amazing feelings we have from watching the generosity of others. I am so glad for such a season.

Mike started teaching his 2nd trimester at school after the Thanksgiving vacation. He was so glad to be able to start a trimester from the beginning and not picking up where another teacher left off. He loves his students and is finding a lot of joy in teaching. (Now if only the pay were just a smidgeon better.) He teaches in Primary and likes it too!

I am still able to stay home with our kiddies. It is a challenging blessing. Aidan and Cole spend the day with me and wow! they are something else. Aidan always has something new to discover and Cole...well...Cole is a discovery in itself... I am the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's and it is a joy in my life. I really do love it and the girls and as a bonus it gets me out of the house 1 night a week!!

Cambree is in 4th grade and started at a new school. She loves, Loves, LOVES school! She is SO helpful in our home. I have really come to rely on her and am so glad she is such a willing and delightful girl. She started piano this year and has loved every minute of it. She begs to practice and it makes me happy to see her like it so much. She is going to start ski school at the beginning of the year and is really excited to try that out.

Brinlee is in 3rd grade and she is a great student. Her teacher really loves her and Brin really loves her teacher. It has been a good experience and I feel blessed about that. Brin also started piano this year and she seems to like it just fine. She tried gymnastics earlier in the fall and while she loved doing it, she loved going to Activity Days a little more so she had to give up one or the other and chose to give up gymnastics. She is quite the comedian in our family and she comes up with hilarious things to make us laugh.

Aidan is nearly 4. He has been looking forward to this birthday for quite sometime. He is enrolled in preschool at the college and it starts in the middle of January. He can hardly wait to be a big kid in school. He got a new Nursery leader a few months ago and fell immediately in love. She is so good to him and he thinks she is so beautiful. He talks about her all the time. Aidan is quite a clown himself. He is also VERY independent. He cooks his own oatmeal and mixes his own crystal light "drinks". He pretty much rules this place. It is a challenge.

Cole is 5 1/2 months old and is going to be the death of me. He cries ALL THE TIME! And I mean all the time. I am starting to think he will never learn to roll over, crawl, walk or do anything for himself because he is held all the time. I have taken him to several Drs, a chiropractor, and have tried many kinds of remedies...all to no avail. I am hopeful that when he turns 6 months old that a miracle will happen and he will turn into an angel baby. I am convinced that he was switched at birth and my mild mannered nice baby went home with the wrong people. :) HOWEVER!! I love this little baby boy. He has amazing smiles and laughs that bring joy to our family. He is starting to eat more solid foods and it is fun to watch this milestone. We do love him and are glad he is part of our family.

I wasn't very good this year so I am getting COLE in my stocking!! Hahaha!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and hopefully this next year will be amazing for ALL!!

2011-11-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

**October's Wrap-Up**

Whew! I am always behind with everything it seems. Here is the rundow of our October. MJ worked in Spud Harvest driving truck for our great friends the Ashton's. It was kind of a crazy harvest...they usually are. The week he was out of school it was so rainy they didn't dig much. The week after he went to school during the day and then drove spud truck at night. It was a long time for the kids and me. I didn't know if I was going to survive. But of course I did. :) We are glad that we don't have to do that every day...

We celebrated Halloween like the rest of everyone else. Here are the costumes in all their glory. We did simple costumes this year and it was nice.

Aidan loved Halloween. He especially thought these green fangs were the best things ever. He must not get out much. :)

Cole continues to grow and grow. He is close to 20 lbs. He is a very unhappy baby. Sure we can get him to smile and giggle. BUT, he is not content with anything. He wants to be held ALL the time. And as you can imagine, 20 lbs of baby is not that easy to carry around. He is breaking my arms and back. And to be quite honest, the crying is really, really hard to cope with some days. There. Now you know that the life I try to portray on my blog is FAR FROM PERFECT!!! I have a fussy baby, a 3 year old who won't leave said baby alone and to be honest, I have no patience with either of these issues. :):)
This picture was taken in a laundry basket because my cute sister-in-law showed me a fun idea to take a picture of your baby every 3 months in the basket for the 1st year to see how quickly they grow. This is Cole and his cute little self. Makes you wanna just cuddle him doesn't it??

Aidan and his friend Keaton get to come play at our house every Wednesday afternoon while the girls are at dance. This past Wednesday while I was feeding Cole and putting him down for a nap, these two little angels decided to make use of their time. Aidan even had green hair. How adorable. Everyone wishes I would watch their children.

Here is a picture of our 4 children. It is as good as it gets. We had at least 3 of the 4 looking. Cole was more interested in chewing on his shirt. Sigh. At least they were ready for church on time. That's something.

2011-09-22T15:20:00.000-07:00

**September has come and nearly gone...**

At the beginning of the month we blessed Cole. Well, MJ blessed him, and the rest of us were in attendance. It was a nice summer day and MJ did a great job. Thank you to those who came. It meant a lot to me.

Cambree played soccer through the end of August and into September. It was starting to get chilly the last couple of games so it was a good thing it didn't go much longer. She had a lot of fun playing.

Brinlee and her dad went up to the temple to have some baptism dress pictures taken. We did the same with Cambree, but it was nicer weather in July versus October. :)
Aidan is quite the character. He loves his brother but a little too fiercely. It is hard for him to understand why Cole is crying from all the "love" he gives him. :) Cole has continued to grow. At his 2 month appointment he weighed a whopping 14 lbs. 13 oz. Which ironically is just 1 oz over what Aidan weighed at his 2 month appointment. We like 'em big, we like 'em husky. :)

MJ and I have been so blessed the past 2 years. He became unemployed in August 2009 and immediately went back to school to get this teaching certificate. In February 2011 he landed a job teaching high school economics and computer classes. In May the principal told him there was a budget cut and his position was being cut with it. So, we went back to searching for jobs. ALL summer...Nothing was offered to us...So we continued to wait and receive multiple blessings from numerous sources. Two weekends ago he became aware of a position at a local Jr High and applied. It was teaching 7th grade science which was what he taught while student teaching. We had a to wait a very long week, but in the end he was offered a job!! He started teaching this past Monday and is really enjoying it. It has been a long trial with much learning for us both. I am sure we have more trials awaiting us, but it is nice having this amazing blessing in our lives! (Cheesy, but TRUE!!)

Cambree turned 10 years old yesterday!

It was so strange to see the anniversary of 9/11 come and go and think about what I was doing 10 years ago...just 12 days away from having my 1st baby. I can't believe that 10 years have passed. Cambree has grown up so quickly. Ten fun things about Cambree are:
She is VERY helpful.

Very responsible.

VERY friendly.

So loving and kind.

Loves to laugh.

Loves to read.

Loves to help cook, clean, sew...

Loves to create and "invent" things.

Loves to try new things (basically everything).

LOVES LIFE!

We love Cambree. She is such a joy to raise and is a great member of our family!!

2011-08-26T18:44:00.000-07:00

**Our August in a nutshell**

As you can guess we have had a busy month and a half. This past Tuesday was Cole's 6 week birthday. :) We took him to get his pictures taken in his blessing outfit. (Will bless him over Labor Day weekend.) He started smiling at us when he was 5 weeks old and now it is a big contest to see who can get him to smile the most....However, this is usually the face we get. Not so sure how he really feels about us. (At least not Aidan. Heehee.)

Since Cole was about 5 days old, he has had a bum rash that just won't quit. It is the worst rash I have ever seen on a baby and we can NOT get it to go away. We have tried every trick we can think of. Lay under a lightbulb, wash with soap and water EVERY diaper change, every bum cream you can imagine, every cornstarch remedy and air it out solution possible. It just will not go away. It is painful for everyone involved because the poor thing has never known a good diaper change and it breaks my heart to hear him so sad. Ugh!! (We have literally been to the Dr's office every week since he was born...EVERY week!!)

But, he continues to grow and grow. Last Friday he weighed in at 13 lbs. 1 oz. and today he weighed in at 13 lbs. 11 oz. He is putting on the weight and we love it!

The girls started school on the 17th of August. They were so excited. Cam is in 4th and Brin is in 3rd. They go to different schools this year but don't seem to mind a bit. They love their teachers and I am hating the early mornings and homework already. It could be a long year!!

Aidan was so excited for the girls to start school too. He would have liked to go, but decided that having everything at home to himself was way better than anything in the world. So, he plays the Wii a lot and he is my little buddy who loves to watch everything I do for the baby. Change diapers, dress him and feed him. It is so special to have such an attentive audience. :) It is fun to see him love his little brother so much!
MJ and I celebrated our 13th anniversary this year. I can't believe how fast the time goes. I never would have dreamed what our years together would be like, but I am excited to see what the next 13 bring. :)

2011-07-29T12:03:00.000-07:00

**A quick update**

All is well in our household. Summer is going by quickly. The kids are home from a week long vacation to their grandparents in Utah. (Thanks again Grandpa Jer-Bear and Grandma Lori and Auntie Em--even you Uncle Sean :)). It has been quite an adjustment having 4 kids. We have been taking it easy all week since little newborns make me a lot nervouse. :) The kids are bored but would it be any different any other summer?

Cambree has proven to be a great helper with many things. She is growing up so fast and I appreciate her kindness to her siblings and her helpful attitude.

Brinlee. Sigh. She is dealing with some middle child syndrome issues I think. She has developed a need to wash her hands and worries constantly about things that supposedly make her dirty. After a chat with the Dr. I feel that I can help her past this but man is it trying my patience. Hopefully with school starting and getting her back into a routine she will overcome this need for being a clean freak. :)

Aidan has actually adjusted way better than I expected with a new baby in the house. He loves this little fella and is very interested in the ongoings of caring for a baby. Feedings bring on quite the audience and it is special. He is learning to self entertain really well and I have only had to deal with 2 meltdowns from him. These are possibly from being over tired.

Cole went to the Dr. for a 2 week check up yesterday and he now weighs 9 lbs. 14 oz. He is growing very quickly and once we get this nighttime stuff under control, I will be a happy mom!! :):)

Cole on his 2 week birthday.

2011-07-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

**INTRODUCING...**

The newest member of our church...and...the newest member of our family!!

On July 2, 2011 Brinlee was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She was so excited to enter the waters of baptism and be confirmed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. When she came out of the water, she had a shocked look on her face and said to me, "Wow! That was really wet!" Apparently she wasn't expecting to get wet in water?? :) We had a good day and I think Brinlee will make very good choices in her life.

Grandma Judy and Mike's sister Sharon and 5 of her kids were able to come celebrate the day with us, but they didn't stick around for photos after. :) We are so glad they were able to come though and appreciate their love and support for Brin!

On July 12, 2011 we welcomed our new baby boy into the world. It was kind of a wild day. I was supposed to be induced on the 13th but was debating whether or not I really should. My mom was at girl's camp for the week (she is the stake YW president) and would not be able to come up right away. I was in good hands though because my sister Emily was willing to come whenever I needed her! Mike's mom was also very willing to help where needed and boy did we end up needing her.

I ended up going into labor in the middle of the night on Monday night (Tuesday morning technically). We had Judy come to our house about 4:30 in the morning and we headed up to the hospital. I had him about 10:50 am and went to fast for the Dr. to get in the room so the nurse caught him at an angle and were we ever glad for an experienced nurse!!

July 12 is my grandpa's birthday so we were excited to have such a special little baby born on such a special man's birthday. My grandpa is SO great!! Thanks for sharing your day with our little guy Grandpa!

We have named our new bundle of joy:
COLE JAMES

He weighed 8 lbs. 10 oz.

and after a couple of measurements we believe he is about 20 or 21 inches long. :)

He is a healthy eater and is so dang cute!
We love him and are excited to have him in our home...

2011-06-21T20:04:00.001-07:00

**Our Blondie Turns 8**

Brinlee turned 8 yesterday. She has been anticipating this birthday for quite some time. In fact, she started asking for her birthday present about 6 or 8 months ago or longer. All she wanted was a Nesting Doll. Her teacher had a nesting doll at school and it was all Brin could talk about. She begged and begged for one. She even told me that I should "google" it so I could find a place to order one on-line. Well, as luck would have it Grandma Lori has a neighbor that actually was working in Russia this past winter and in April he brought one home for Grandma Lori to give to Brin. Whew. Mission accomplished.

She had a great day. She was treated to a breakfast of crepes that her dad made her. Then she was able to take 2 friends to the movie and out for snow cones after. She came home and we celebrated with dinner and more presents from Grandma Judy and Grandpa Gene. It was a day to be remembered.

8 things we love about our Brinlee are:

1: She is quite the comedian. She comes up with some of the most hilarious things to tell us and keeps us laughing.

2: She is thoughtful of others.

3: She is always good to share things with her sister and brother.

4: Brin is a great student in school. She reads fast and does well in all her subjects at school.

5: She is usually helpful. She will do what needs done...if you can get her attention.

6: She is truthful to a fault. She tells you EVERYTHING she does wrong. And I mean EVERYTHING!!!!

7: She has a contagious laugh and she laughs a lot. (She also has a sad face that she uses a lot and at times can be heartbreaking...but only SOME times!)

8: She loves to color, paint, draw, create. Anything crafty or creative this girl is all about it!

We love this blonde haired, blue eyed little beauty. She keeps our lives entertaining. She is about to be baptized so we are so excited for her decision to do that. She is a joy in our lives!

2011-05-20T18:22:00.000-07:00

**My hour of Terror**

On Wednesday Aidan was outside playing. Next thing I know the neighbor boy had let Aidan out into our front yard through the gate and they were playing. So, I made them come into the backyard again and I shut the gate once more. I had the screen door open and was ironing while listening to them talk and play. Then silence. I went outside and called for them and more silence. I picked up the neighbor boy's shoes and marched over to the neighbors house to retrieve Aidan for a punishment of a lifetime. Unfortunately the boys were not there. So, I proceeded to go on a boy hunt. Calling for Aidan and wondering where 2 barefooted boys could have gone. Luckily there wasn't water in the ditch near our house. But after a quick walk to the local park, I didn't find any trace of them. I began to get a little panicky. I called MJ and wondered what to do. I got in my car and drove around the big block. I came home and went in the backyard again. At this point most of the neighborhood was out looking and checking every backyard and place they could think of. Still nothing. 45 min into the search the police were called. They came to our house and began taking descriptions of the boys. I was walking back to our house with a couple of neighbors and one of them heard little voices and after looking through the slats in our fence we found the missing duo. They were crouched down under our canoe in the backyard playing a great game of hide and seek I guess. I was so relieved that I broke down crying but so angry I wanted to whip them both. Aidan always answers me so I am amazed that he would be so quiet for an hour and not move.
Needless to say the outcome could have been different and I realize how blessed I am to have all my children safe at home. I am so grateful Aidan was safe so I could spank him. :) But only after the audience had left. :):)

2011-05-10T08:48:00.001-07:00

**A Sad Day for Me...**

So today I was finally going to update my blog with dance pictures, Easter pics and everything else from the past month. But as luck would have it, I completely erased it all. So, all those fun pictures are just a distant memory... :(

Here is a quick word recap:
Cambree and Brinlee had a dance recital on the Saturday before Easter. They did a really great job and had a fun day. Grandma Lori, Grandap Jerry and Grandma Judy were able to come. My BFF Mic does such a great job with dance and the girls absolutely adore her. Their costumes were amazing this year and I just wish I had a pic to show it. Sob, sob...

The Easter Bunny comes to our house on the Saturday before Easter. How lucky is that? So, we were able to see what he brought then head over to the Easter Egg hunt at the park right by us. It was fun and Aidan had been well trained by his sisters to go for the EGGS! That's where the real prizes are after all. So, we ended up with 12 free ice cream cone certificates to DQ thanks to Aidan and his need for some eggs. :) Cam had fun at the hunt as well, but Brin thought hunting eggs in the big kid section was a major rip off. So, we had a few issues with blondie over that one. Life is never fair to her...

I can't think of anything else that is too exciting in our lives. We are in some countdowns right now to major happenings in our lives. Only 3 weeks til school is out. Brinlee turns 8 on June 20 and is baptized on July 2. And we are in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy. WOW! This should be great! I promise to take pictures and keep them safe this time! And if we are lucky, I might blog them too!!!

2011-04-06T09:25:00.000-07:00

**Spring Cleaning or Baby Nesting??**

Either way, many changes...

It all started in February when MJ was home all the time. (Before the job...) I decided that I wanted to paint the main color of our house. So, after seeing what my BFF Mic had painted on some of her walls, I got the same paint. We painted the front room and hallways in the shade of October harvest. And, we changed the furniture and wall hangings up a bit. It was a refreshing change...

Then I decided that the girls needed new bedding. So, we purchased bedding that can be reversed and changed. (According to the package it can have 384 different looks...or something.) We painted their room the colors of a watermelon. :) Green on top and pink on bottom. I have accented things in their room with blue like the bedding and orange and every color in between.

I remodeled a lamp from DI (actually I started painting it orange and failed so MJ took over and painted it so amazingly great!) Then I took an old lamp shade I had and covered it with ribbons. (Inspiration for this project from my friend Rhonda!)

I loved the design of the curtains they had up with the old room, so I found matching fabric and copied the old curtains. (Design by my mom who is a creative genius!!) Sorry, the photo isn't so great. But you kind of get the idea!

After their room, I moved on to my room. With help from my friend Lisa, I decided to paint it a blue gray color and do stripes on the main wall. It was a fun project!! I convinced MJ that we also needed new bedding to complete the look and I was able to sew a lot of pillows and also a valance that is quite lovely if I do say so myself. :)

And, with the addition of a new baby and a 3 year old boy who is not the greatest sleeper, we decided to move Aidan to the middle room and give Baby Dirt (story of name to follow...) A's old room. So, he also got some new stuff. Thanks to MJ's mom Judy, we have an AMAZING bedspread that she made to match the curtains and car theme that I loved. Seriously. Isn't it great?? The curtains were too long so I had to cut those and hem them and I made the pillows on his bed to match. (I can't get enough of sewing and painting I guess!) MJ helped me make the name board to add something to his room for decoration. :) We just need a little table to go next to his bed and cover the cords. They lead to the computer that we had to store in the closet because we are just running out of bedroom space around this joint! :)

Now, on to the last untouched room in our house...Baby Dirt's...I will be working on that in the next couple of weeks and will post the final outcome. I have the bedding and am so excited for the vision of it all. I bet you can't wait either! :)

Side note: With the moving of bedrooms, the remaking of rooms, I have cleaned every closet in

our house. I still need to work on the kitchen, and when MJ has spring break, we are clearing out our crawl space. I am having a yard sale and there is a lot that is going!! Whew. I can't decide if spring is in my blood or just nesting. Either way, it's madness around here. (According to my hardworking assistant Mikey!)

The story of Baby Dirt: When my kids found out we were having another baby they didn't think it was true. We must tease a little too much around here. They were excited when they realized it was true and after seeing the ultrasound pics. :) (Great parenting huh?) Anyway, at Christmas when we were at my parent's house, my mom asked Aidan what we were going to name our new baby and he said Dirt. It stuck and that is how we refer to our baby. Sometimes to be funny we call him Joe Dirt and other times Mud. Just kidding. We just refer to everything about him as baby Dirt. If it had been a girl it would be the same way. At least boys like dirt more. :)

Here is a little mischief our baby A has been up to lately. He loves to color... :)

But he has been saying some of the funniest things: "This is gonna be GREAT!" "Thanks Mom, you're the BEST!" I will say, "Aidan, you are such a good boy." Aidan then says, "Yeah, I am." Or "I know, I am." "I love Mom, and Dad and Girls." "My favorite color is pink." "I am a girl!" Some things will come back to haunt him I hope! :) :)

The girls are busy lately with dance. It is ending in a few short weeks so we have had a few performances lately. I will post pics of their recital that is coming up soon.

Brinlee was able to celebrate her June birthday in March so we sent these treats to share with her class. They were bookworms and it was perfect cuz it was National Reading week. She loved being the star of her class for a whole week!

Cambree is loving 3rd grade and has a great teacher. I help in her class every Tuesday and it has been fun getting to know the kids in her class. She is a good student and kind to everyone which I really admire about her.

And that is the finale! Thanks for reading or at least looking at my long post. But it really has been awhile. Tomorrow we are headed to Utah for Spring Break!!

2011-02-26T19:03:00.000-08:00

EXCITING NEWS!!!!

This past week we have had some exciting things happen in our family. Sorry no pics...just a quick post to record the happy times! The first thing is that Mike got a job teaching! He is endorsed to teach either Biology (which he really prefers) or can be a Business teacher and teach Economics/Business classes, etc. The job he has now is an Econ teacher and a computer teacher. He works about 10 miles away so it is great! He was thrown right in without a lot of guidance and it has been interesting but so good! We are so grateful for employment!!

The other exciting news is that in July we will be having a wonderful addition to our family. A new baby. On Friday the girls and I were able to go to the ultrasound together and see that we are having another baby BOY!! We are so thrilled and can hardly wait!!

2011-02-06T11:51:00.000-08:00

My New Year's Resolution Success

...and a new tradition...

This year I made a New Year's Resolution and I am still sticking to it! You will love what it is: My resolution this year was to make my kids in charge of the dinner dishes. They each have a week and I of course supervise, but they do it every night and they don't complain!! Why I didn't start this earlier you ask? Well, I did...But it was kind of a hassle and I gave up. They are older now so it seems to be easier. Also, it has two benefits: The first being that dishes are being done by someone besides me and the second is that it becomes a great time for catching up with my girls. They sure can chat it up! Does Aidan have a part in the dish doing you might ask. Well, his new job is to help me unload the dishwasher and to sort the silverware into the drawer. He is actually quite good and very willing! (For now!) So, life here is progressing in the right direction. It only took me many years to figure out the dishes part of parenting! :)

This Valentine's we adopted a new tradition in our family. The kids each have a new pillowcase for Valentine's and starting on the 1st of February, they recieve notes and the occasional treat in the pocket on the front. It has been a great way to express love for each other and also it is so exciting to see what was left in the pocket. They check it everyday after school and so far have not been disappointed!

2011-01-25T09:07:00.000-08:00

**Aidan's B-Day Post**

(Several Days later...)

Okay so it is like 11 days later, but who's counting right? (We celebrated his birthday on the actual day so that is what is important!)

This year for Aidan's birthday, we celebrated it with my parents and sister Em at my Grandparents. They live in Star Valley so we met there on Aidan's bday. My grandma's birthday was 3 days earlier so we celebrated her special day at the same time. It was a fun night and I am glad we went!

This is Aidan's new pose for pics. Not sure why he thinks a monster face is the way to go, but whatever. What a fun 3 year old...

Aidan loves Curious George so for his birthday he was determined that he would have a George cake. I didn't feel ambitious enough to make one so we ordered it instead and loved the results! Aidan picked the picture and was so excited that George was holding a banana!

Here is a picture with a nice smiling Aidan and my Grandma! Her last name is Erickson but my kids have always called my grandparents Eriskins.

It was a fun day for our little fella. He missed the Primary deadline by 2 weeks so he is the largest child in the nursery. He doesn't care though. He makes us laugh everyday and is spoiled rotten to the core. Mike has been home a lot lately so Aidan gets the undivided attention of his parents and struggles when the girls get home. He loves to wrestle and play. He loves watching TV and playing the computer. He is always saying something hilarious. He taught himself numbers and letters and is pretty smart and knows it! We love our Aidan and can't wait to see what the next year brings!!

In other news:

Just look at what our front yard looks like!! Makes you cringe doesn't it? Think about how long that pile is going to take to melt! I am relocating to a warm sunny place.

2011-01-03T17:45:00.000-08:00

**A Summary of our Lives Lately**

As always I am a little behind on the ol' blog. Whatcha gonna do? So, here is a quick rundown of what we have been up to.
Here are the kids in their Christmas getup that my mom and sister got my kids. They always find the best things and we LOVE it!!

Our little library does the most amazing family nights that are always so fun. This year they were able to get Curious George to come for a visit and we couldn't miss because that monkey is Aidan's absolute most favorite thing on the planet right now.

The school did their annual Christmas program and it was wonderful as always. The girls love participating in it and they learn so much. This was Cam's last year in it.
>

We went to Utah for Christmas this year to spend with my family. On Christmas Eve we went to my aunt and uncle's house for delicious dinner and some really fun festivities. We played chimes in groups (Oh Come All Ye Faithful) we frosted sugar cookies, we read a neat Christmas story and we went to "Pond Town". (A really pretty pond and park close to where they live.)

Emily and I at the Pond with lights shaped like Christmas trees that are out in the water.
The kids hats are courtesy of my dad. He always makes them every year to give to the kids in his class for a Christmas present. They love them and so do my kid!!

The cousins! Not pictured: MJ and my cousin Justin. (They were there...Not sure why they didn't get in the pic!!)

We had a really good Christmas morning! Old Santa found his way to my parent's house and managed to leave the kids everything they wanted. It was an exciting morning.

My girls think that nightgowns are the best things ever! (So does their Grandma Lori!) So, this year, Grandma found matching nightgowns with the girls and they were thrilled.

This is a picture of my parent's grandkids. Aidan thought holding baby Crew was the best thing since sliced bread. He wanted to do it himself! He did a pretty good job of it too!
Over the vacation we were able to take the kids ice skating and sledding. They loved it! One day while we were at my parents it snowed over 2 feet and I thought we would have to stay until spring... (I think my parents prayed extra hard that we could go home!! HAHA!)

I think I am pretty much caught up. It has been a busy couple of months. I am ready for things to slow down a little. As a side note: MJ finished his student teaching the middle of December and is now on a job hunt--as always. He really enjoyed teaching jr high kids. So, that is a good thing. If any of you hear of a teaching job, let us know!!

2010-11-08T10:30:00.000-08:00

**Our Halloween 2010**

I don't know how much more neglect my dear old blog can put up with. I hardly snap pictures anymore and then to have to sit down and put them on the blog. Well, that is almost asking too much! Who has the time?!?!
Here is our Halloween summary...You know cuz Thanksgiving is right around the corner...

On October 19, 2010 my brother Andy and his wife Kristin had their first baby. Crew Jacob. He is a darling little fella that we were excited to see. So, we planned on a trip down to see them and planned on spending Halloween weekend with my family. We did see the baby and I didn't even take one picture of my kids with him. How lame is that!?!? (I am having issues...) Anyway, CONGRATS to Andy and Kristin! We are excited for you and we really thought your baby was PERFECT!!!

The Costumes:

Brinlee with her homemade Rapunzel wig. It was a large pain. She wasn't sure about the make-up and so it wasn't my favorite costume of all time. Oh well.

Aidan borrowed this little costume from our neighbors and I was thrilled with it. Very warm and very cute. He actually won 3rd place in a costume contest. (Granted it was being judged by firemen so it may have been a biased judgement!)

Cambree was a cave-woman! We tied a dog bone in her hair so she was pretty nervous about trick or treating if there were dogs around. It POURED rain the whole time we were out and I mean POURED!! So, needless to say there were no dog threats!

Our pumpkins after the super fun carving we did for FHE!

It was a fun year carving with the kids this year. Cambree did her's all on her own and Brin did a pretty good job herself. Aidan just was happy to be there destroying and digging out guts!!

2010-10-10T14:44:00.000-07:00

Two Birthdays and a Spud Harvest

Okay, so I am a bad blogger. I guess if I were getting paid to do it, I would be more diligent! :)

Two and a half weeks ago, we celebrated Cambree's 9th Birthday. Yes, you read that right. She is 9! This year she had very specific things in mind that she wanted to have for her birthday. She wanted the following gifts:

Sqwinkies (The latest fad in small toys...)
A sewing machine
New earphones for her MP3
...She was not disappointed.

She wanted the following done on her special day:

A crown styled in her hair
Pumpkin pancakes
Fun flower cupcakes for her class.
...It was all a wish come true! :)

Here are the pics from her big day:

Her cake:
Her cupcakes to share with her class:

Her crown hair:

Her nails after a manicure at the Paul Mitchell Hair Academy on her big day!

Ten days after Cam's birthday is MJ's birthday. This year we had no idea what to get him and he wasn't much help with that either... So, with the idea from my friend Rhonda, the kids and I made him a candy gram. They thought it was so fun and they also got a part of the present. :)
Right now the kids are in "Spud Harvest". MJ is driving truck for the Ashton's hauling potatoes from field to spud pit. We have been out for a week already and have one more to go... Last week while the kids were out of school, I was able to accomplish quite a bit with my BFF Mic. I canned chicken and potatoes and made freezer jam. It has just been non-stop fun. HA HA! But a successful week nonetheless... I wish the break wasn't quite so long, but what can you do? This next week Brin will get her cast off so we are on the big countdown and I am looking forward to a big celebration!!

2010-09-07T20:13:00.000-07:00

The Tale of the Broken Arm...

*As told by Me*

There once was a girl named Brinlee who loved to play outside for recess. She would slide down slides, swing on swings and hang like a monkey from the bars. One day Brin was playing "secret agent" with some of her friends and fell from the "Spider Web" bars on the playground. She hurt her arm badly and was sent in to the secretary to wait for her mother to arrive. Her mother was on her way to lunch with her BFF and thought it would just take a minute to swing by and tell Brin she was okay and to have a great rest of the day. Now, this story gets so much more fun...
Brinlee was in a great deal of pain and could hardly wait for her mom to get there. When her mom finally arrived it was apparent that Brin would need to see a Dr. right away. Three x-rays and two Dr's offices later, she ended up with a bright pink cast and a sling.
Her older sister Cambree is convinced that Brinlee will be famous at school and isn't so sure that the attention she is receiving is that fair. How come all the cool things happen to Brin??
Cousin Jordan stopped by with treats and prizes for the poor little broken child but she shared those with her siblings...
Now you ask yourself where was Aidan during all this and what possibly could have happened to the lunch date? Well, it was a quick drive-thru window and Aidan spent the afternoon with Mic running errands. All this was happening during his 2nd day of potty training...Needless to say, this day was NOT a success. Perhaps it can wait a few more months??
Brinlee seems to be doing much better and is on the mend. But, while her arm appears to be less painful tonight, I am pretty sure her teeth are rotting out from all the treats she has acquired today! :)

2010-08-30T17:31:00.000-07:00

Wrapping things up and calling it a Summer!

**School is now officially in session!!**

As promised, I am recapping the past couple of weeks...
This summer went by so FAST!! One minute we are shoveling snow and the next we are sending the kiddos back to school. I really feel like I blinked and summer was over. Ah well...
So, at some point or another this summer, 4 of my old college roommates made their way through town. I was able to meet up with two of them for a fun lunch and it was great!!
This is Nicole. She has two darling little kids and they were so much fun to meet and play with!
This is my roommate Chanelle, whom I was roommates with the longest. She has 4 super cute kids and my kids really hit it off with them. Brinlee and Karissa were BFF's after about 20 minutes!

It was fun to reunite with these girls and I hope to do it again sometime! :)

We had one last summer hoorah and met my parents in Logan...where we lived for a couple of years while my dad finished school. It was fun to visit the old stomping grounds. We went up to USU campus and we visited an old park that we lived by. It has been 20 years since we lived there and it was so crazy to see the changes. We stayed the night in Logan and the next morning we got up and went to Bear Lake where we met Emily, Sean, Andy and Kristin. We spent the day there and then everyone went their separate ways. It was a great way to end the summer.

And, finally....SCHOOL HAS STARTED! The girls are thrilled with their teachers, classmates, and everything else! They love school (so far) and it has been interesting just having Aidan at home. He feels ripped off because he wants a backpack and he wants to go to school too. Someday all too soon.... :(

2010-08-10T07:40:00.000-07:00

**A Summer's Tale**

This is a story of three children, a mom, a dad and their super summer adventures...It has been some time since we last checked in with our family, so this is a long chapter in their book of life. It is a tale of swimming, hiking, boating, traveling, happiness, tragedy, and other novelties. Here is our story...

The kiddos spent 2 weeks in Utah. The first was spent being spoiled by their aunt and grandpa. The next was spent in swimming lessons...

We were in Utah for the 24th of July so Grandma and Gramps bought up BIG sparklers for the
festivities!
We went out one day in our canoe and the girls swam in a lake among lily pads. We went to Cave Falls and on the way home stopped off at a swing we found last year that is huge and goes down the face of a mountain.

We went to a nearby lake with our friends the Ashton's. The sand was a great entertainment and it was a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Last week we drove up to Yellowstone (no pics from there...sorry.) And then went down through the south enterance into Teton National Park and into Jackson Hole. We got there in time to see the nightly "shoot out" and it was also the same night that there was a 4.8 earthquake 25 miles away. I didn't feel a thing, but some people next to us mentioned it. The kids loved the shoot out!

We waited in the "town square" park for about an hour. Judy and Gene went with us that day and I am sure they are still recovering from the long drive that it was. This summer we got ourselves a little kitten. It was from a litter that the Ashton's cat had and my kids were so excited to get a cute little pet. We named him Thunder. Unfortunately, our cute kitten was not so lucky when I was backing out of the garage. I am experiencing some trauma over the situation and even though we only had him for about 4 weeks, he is greatly missed. (Even by me a very NON pet lover!) Another addition to our house is this AWESOME tandem bike!! We inherited this beauty from my aunt Tammy and uncle Paul who we LOVE very much!! It has been so much fun to work on and get fixed up. Mike has put in a lot of work. (It used to be bright yellow, but MJ didn't like it so much and we painted it blue. Whatever floats your boat I guess.) It is the funnest bike around and we are so appreciative for our inheritance!!

We took the kids bowling one afternoon. It was Aidan's first time and he loved it. He wanted it to be his turn every time. Cam and Brin realized that Wii bowling is so different from real bowling, but had fun anyway.

(Brin just got a strike!)

Well, this concludes the chapter of "What We Have Been Doing This Past Month". Please check back for more thrilling recaps of 12th anniversaries, roommate visits, school starting and more!

2010-07-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

**Water Park with the Ashton's!!**

We were invited by our best friends the Ashton's to go to Ross Park last Thursday. It was a really nice day to go and the kids had SO MUCH FUN!!!!!

Cambree and Sadie got to have a water slide wrist band and they did a really good job going down it alone.
The boys were pretty good for the most part...is it ever fun to take a 2 year old ANYWHERE?!? Here they are sharing and enjoying snacks together.

Brinlee and Tess got to go around the lazy river a few times alone and they were feeling pretty big. Little Piper was my big helper for the day and she helped me babysit Aidan. I paid her a whole quarter...that she ended up leaving in my car...

It is quiet around here this week. My kids are "vacationing" in Utah with my sister "Mi-Mi" and my dad and brother. (My mom is at Girls Camp and I am going to our Girls Camp tomorrow.) I am enjoying the quiet and freedom that is mine this week, but I sure do miss C, B and A!!

2010-07-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Cam and Brin's Minute of Fame!

**And other random stuff....**

Cambree and Brinlee were in the 4th of July parade and it was so much fun for them. Brin debated back and forth whether or not it would really be worth it...you know, because it would be sacrificing a chance for LOTS of candy!! In the end, we explained that chances of being in a parade aren't very often so it is something that she should do while she could.

This was the float from our stake and the one that Cambree rode on. The theme of the parade was "Sweet Land of Liberty". Our float won "Best Theme".
Brinlee rode in the car that leads the "Ray's Crew". (The Ray's crew dances in the parade every year and it is a big crowd pleaser.) She was able to sit in the back next to Santa and throw candy. When they ran out halfway through she said "Santa, did you eat all the candy?" She can't remember what he said back to her.

This is the Ray's Chevron crew. They dance with drying mitts on and put on quite the show. It is hilarious!

These were the shirts the girls wore in the parade, but since it was something like 58 degrees or so and windy, they had to wear jackets and sweatshirts. I wanted a group shot with Aidan...but we know how that doesn't work out EVER! A-Dawg's shirt says Mr. Independent... You think?!?! Last week my friend Rhonda brought her cute kids over for a little water fun--slip n' slide action. While they were here, we got this nest out of our tree that we thought had been abandoned and it had an egg in it. It was fun for the kids to see.
Last week, Mike was a little stir crazy, so we rode with him to a nearby lake where he could put a line in and fish a little. The kids loved it and it was a beautiful day. This is across the lake (pond?) where they took a little walk to. I was instructed to sit on my chair and read and watch the pole in case it moved...It never did... :)
Summer is flying by and it feels like we have had 2 nice warm days. :( Today is 73 or so but it has a cool wind going. Maybe it will warm up again?? Hope so because I saw school supplies being sold today and it made me sad....

2010-06-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

**HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRINLEE**

Brinlee is now 7 years old! Her birthday was on Sunday (Father's Day) and we celebrated it on Saturday/Sunday. She was asked to speak in Primary on Sunday so it was quite the eventful birthday for her.

Here is Brinlee and MJ on Sunday. She is sporting her birthday headband and MJ is wearing his Father's Day ties he received from the kiddies....
Sunday morning we had to get up and open presents immediately!! On Saturday MJ's mom came for a barbeque lunch and gave Brin a new scooter. It was a hit!!

All Brin has ever wanted in life is a snow cone maker. In kindergarten she wrote a little story that when she grew up she wanted to be a snow cone seller and has never let the dream go. Now, she is in "business". She would like to sell snow cones daily for 25 cents. (She looks thrilled doesn't she?)

This was the cake I "attempted" on Friday. It was supposed to be for our party on Saturday, but the cones kept falling over and the repair work was too hard so I gave the cake to the kids to eat on Friday night.... They loved it. (Then on Saturday I made a "Sand Pail" cake off of the Family Fun website and it was a succes!!)

These are sunglasses that our neighbor got for Brin's big day. The kids thought they were hilarious!
And, to finalize this post...I have waited and waited and waited for the weather to cooperate so I could take pictures of my kids in their Easter clothes...Yep. That is right: Easter clothes. The weather has been terrible pretty much forever here. So, after church I tried really hard to get just the right pic of the children. Aidan once again foiled these plans. Here are the results... (Brinlee's is at the top of the post...)

A face only a mother could love.... :)

Yep...It was super fun....
This was actually at the beginning of the photo shoot.... It was all over before it began!

2010-06-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

*Where have all the bloggers gone...and the blog posts??*
I haven't been blogging much lately...Probably because I have been busy with the little things in life. (And the little people in my life.) And, while I do feel a little guilty about this, I must say that I notice there are a lot of my "blogging buddies" that are also a bit behind on posting. (So, don't judge me too much.)

Catching Up!
Cambree was able to once again perform with TaVaci. This time at the Playmill Theater. They did the preshow performance and it was spectacular! Then we were able to watch the play "Beauty and the Beast". The girls absolutely loved it. Brinlee sat by Tess and Mic and Mic's mom Julie. Cambree sat by my mom, and Sadie and I was able to sit by my sister Emily. It was a great girls night out.
*Side Note*: Cambree is loving summer and reading a ton. She decided that she should read "Where the Red Fern Grows" because they read it in school last month and she LOVED it. So, she is reading it on her own now. I am happy that she loves reading so much.
At the end, the cast greets you as you leave the Playmill. We were able to get a photo with Belle and the Beast (Prince)? They thought this was quite the highlight to the night!

My best sister in the whole world decided that we should stay the night up in West Yellowstone after the play, so we did a little swimming, a little shopping and some walking. It was so great to spend time together with just the "girls"! Thanks for making it happen Em!!

(My mom must have been missing my dad "Jer-Bear" or something. She looks like she is on a date with this bear!)

Brinlee is missing 4 teeth right now. She looks so silly with her gaps in her mouth. This is a really cute stage and she is loving all the $$ the tooth fairy brings...You know 10 cents a tooth or something. :) She is about to turn 7 so she is very much looking forward to that. She thought for sure her birthday should have been a week ago, but we were able to explain the days of the month to her and now we are counting down until Father's Day/Brin's Birthday!

Aidan is still Aidan. He is talking more and more. He is ALWAYS outside doing his thing. You know...getting into stuff he shouldn't...walking around the corner to the neighbors...screaming bloody murder if someone gets on the trampoline with him. The regular spoiled rotten two year old nonsense. He is energetic that is for sure and he has decided that his dad is the only person he wants around. I apparently rub him the wrong way and sometimes the feeling is mutual.

2010-05-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

END OF (school) YEAR REVIEW
We have one more week of school...HOORAY! So, to show what we have been doing the past month, here is a brief summary:
The girls did their dance recital almost a month ago. It was so amazing and the girls did really well. This is my BFF Michelle who is the dance teacher and these are her girls: Sadie, Tess and Piper. We all love dance!! Thanks for a great year Mic!

Cambree did TaVaci this year and loved it! She asked for a speaking part for the spring recital and did a great job. I was really proud of her for getting up there and speaking in front of such a large crowd. She gets to go and sing at the Playmill in a couple of weeks and she is really excited for that. (We get to see the play "Beauty and the Beast"!)

This is the excitement Mike has for going to events such as these. He gets to be the Aidan-sitter while I video or help where needed. He doesn't love this arrangement, but it's part of the parenting territory right?

And, to keep a two year old occupied between numbers, why not take digital pics of him and his grandma to show him? It worked for about 2 minutes and then the aisle seemed to be calling his name...

Grandma Judy and Aidan...This is where my kids get their AMAZING blue eyes!!

2010-05-14T13:35:00.000-07:00

My Bad Mom Moment (one of many...)

Today Aidan and I went to lunch with a friend and when we were leaving Aidan ran out of the restaurant and straight to our car. He was still very much in my line of vision and so it wasn't too scary. (Mistake #1...he ran away from me and I didn't grab him quick enough.) He then tried to open one of the doors on the car and when that wouldn't work, he went to the other side. (Mistake #2...still didn't have a hold of the little independent fellow.) So, after a quick good-bye to my friend I started on my way to get him. Well, here comes a man and a lady and she is holding Aidan's hand...Aidan is so thrilled to see me that he starts saying "Mommy, Mommy..." (Mistake #3....holding hands with stranger....) When I get up close which took about 2.5 seconds, the lady says "Is this your mom?" In a disgusted tone of voice. I say "Yes. Thank you for bringing him back to me." And then I picked him up and started hauling him back to the car. She says "Well, I just didn't want to have him get run over by a car since he was running all over the parking lot by himself." (Okay, point taken.) I said "Thanks again". Then her husband says "We could have just run over him for you if you wanted us too." WHAT?!?! I just stared at him, turned away and got Aidan in the car super quick like and took off. Who says that?? Am I REALLY the one with the problem here? Anyway, I get it. I am a mom who has some bad moments. He is at a hard, independent age and I made a mistake. But really? Do you tell someone you are going to run over their child? Now I feel like a complete failure and that I don't deserve children. But, it also makes me mad to think that someone would be so rude to actually tell someone else that they would run over their child. So, today I am loser mom....Hopefully my kids live another day so I can be a better mom!

2010-05-05T12:32:00.001-07:00

**Sharing a Message**

I love Mormon Messages. They are found at the bottom of the http://www.lds.org/ homepage and they are so inspiring to me. Today I was on the website and the recent Message was about a girl that I have never met, but have read her blog from time to time. She survived a terrible plane crash and she has kept a blog. She is AMAZING and her story is incredilbe! It was so touching to watch her video clip...
Watching this was a tender mercy for me. It made me realize that even though things aren't the way I pictured my life would be I am so blessed to have a functioning body and to be a wife and mother. I am so thankful for so many things that I won't be able to list them all here. These are just a few of the things I am MOST grateful for!

**Like I said these pictures were just to show a few things I am grateful for (and to catch up on the old blog...) I am thankful for many, many more things!

I hope that my grandma and my mom and my sister Emily have a Happy Mother's Day!! You mean the world to me and I LOVE YOU!!

2010-04-14T12:14:00.000-07:00

**GIRLS WEEKEND 2010**

This year for "Girls Weekend" my sister and I nominated ourselves to be in charge. We decided to meet in the "middle" at Lava Hot Springs! I didn't get a ton of pictures, but here are a few. (I was busy soaking it up in the hot pools.)
A picture of the girl cousins that were there: Me, McKenzie, Brittany, Lauren, Paige and Emily

The older girlies :) Lori, Jody, Rosalie, Grandma, Ellen and Tammy (or Tamara...) :)
We rented a little apartment/condo. (That is what they called it online.) When we got there, we realized that this was a large overstatement. We renamed the joint "THE GHETTO"! I won't go into details, but picture a place without doors on the bathroom....Enough said with 12 girls sharing a small space. It didn't matter though because we were all together and we had the greatest time EVER! I wish I could go back. Looking forward to next year.....Love you girls!!
PS: A little shout out to Megan/Kristin/Kim and Chelsie...We sure did miss you. Hope to see you next time!

*An annaul tradition of Girls weekend is to buy new sunglasses...Brittany, Emily and I bought matching pairs, but Brittany could never find hers.

2010-04-06T19:44:00.000-07:00

Easter/Spring Break Weekend

For Spring Break/Easter/Conference weekend, we decided to go down to visit my family. It was a fun filled PACKED weekend.
Here is a brief summary:
Had an Easter egg hunt at the local "Pony Palace" (an indoor event center). It was a good thing it was there because it snowed during the night and I don't know if I would have wanted to venture out for an egg hunt that morning otherwise....I didn't get a lot of "pictures" of the hunt and the ongoings, because somebody was filming the whole thing in video mode...And I am too lazy to download those. So, here are 2 pics.

Needless to say it was fun and Brinlee found 4 eggs that contained papers with numbers on them so she could claim some prizes. She shared with Cambree so it all worked out for everyone.

**Side note: Brinlee won a coloring contest at our local copy shop and she was awarded with an Easter basket full of candy. She was super excited and shared her loot. Here is a picture of the colored picture and the basket after 3 kids have eaten their fill. :)

Like I said, the kids attacked that basket like they had never seen candy before. It was really cute when we got it and I didn't think to take a pic then. Oh well...you get the idea.

We colored eggs during the Priesthood session of Conference, and yes that is Aidan sucking on the wire egg holder. Whatcha gonna do with that kid???

Emily's egg broke and she was sad. My mom was annoyed because I was taking pics and she didn't think she wanted to be on the blog. Whatcha gonna do with that grandma???
We left on Monday to come home and on the way back we decided to stop in Ogden and go to the Treehouse Museum. It was a lot of fun for the kids. Here are some pictures of that.
(I just thought this section was so great because everything was made out of stacks of books or giant books!)

**This one is for my dad! Dad: You need this Chess set to teach with!!

2010-03-18T09:08:00.001-07:00

Oh, Sweet Brinlee....

Just thought I would record a few things that Brinlee has said and done the past little while... A few weeks ago, the school had a "Used Book Fair". The girls were very excited to spend a little money there. Brin is a very generous person--she thinks of others and shares everything she has. Well, she came home from the book fair with an Elmo sing-along video for Aidan. She was so pleased with herself and was determined that Aidan was going to love it. Well, it happened. Now, we "get" to watch the video 2 times EVERY morning. (Of course Brin is at school, so it is just me and the little fella having the time of our lives singing along!)

About a week ago, I had Cambree vacuum the front room and when she was done, I told Brin to put the vacuum away in the closet. A little while later, I went in the laundry room where she had rolled it to and there it was in the middle of the floor:
Me: Brinlee, why can't you follow directions?
Brin: I don't know. I guess I'm just lazy!

2010-03-10T09:13:00.000-08:00

Some Days...

I can't decide if I was blessed with a "special spirit" or if all boys are so much fun!! Whatever the reason, some days I just wish we had a nanny and a maid!

...Or, to those of you who said you would take the little fella, I wish you would pick him up soon. I am tired...

2010-03-02T09:15:00.000-08:00

A Little Makeover!

(Warning: Below are some pictures that I took of myself by myself. While, the subject of the picture isn't the most photogenic, these pictures are the best I could do. Having said that, here you go...)

I haven't had longish hair for about 14 years or so. One day I woke up and it seemed to be long and I just started letting it get longer. It grew faster than I remember it growing in the past and before I knew it, I had hair past my shoulders. At times it looked okay, but for the most part, it probably wasn't that attractive. So, I got a new do. Now, in these photos, you can't get the best sides of my hair, but I think you get the gist!

And, what would a post be without a picture of one of the kids? Here is Aidan after his sisters got out the dress-ups and he thought he needed to be a part of it. (Mike was at work at the time and when he saw the pics he didn't think we were very funny!)

2010-02-10T08:40:00.000-08:00

FOR SALE!!!

One cute, blue eyed boy. Just learning to talk (back) well. Loves bubbles and oranges. Can fend for himself in the kitchen with just a simple chair and/or accessible pantry. Answers to the name of Aidan. Can still be trained to do what you would like...(we think) Available for pick-up any time.

*Disclaimer: Can probably expect messes like these in just a short 24 hour period, while you are doing household chores like folding laundry and washing dishes. (Also, he has been known to feed other children spoonfuls of sugar...)

Dancing, Cheering, Shoveling and Home Improving!

2010-02-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

We were a little busy last week... Here are the highlights:
Cam and Brin performed their dances for the 1st time this year at a basketball game on Wednesday night. It was such a great performance and they had so much fun!!

On Friday night, the girls were in a cheer clinic and so they got to cheer at another basketball game during half time. They really loved this and looked so cute out there with all the cheerleaders! Cambree even got to do a "stunt" and was on top of a pyramid. It was cute, but unfortunately, I was taking a pic of Brin who was on the other side of the gym when it all happened...

They wanted to pretend that they were in high school with lockers. Oh...to be young and think high school is cool. :)

Aidan is quite the little "outdoorsman". He has been able to escape outside for quite some time now. (Since summer actually....) Unfortunately, this usually means without coat and shoes. So, the other morning, Mike took him out to "help" shovel the sidewalk. He loved it!! (I'm pretty sure Mike loved all the help too!) :)

The main bathroom in our house needed some upgrades. So, on Saturday, I decided to get the project done. My sis-in-law Katie had these hoops up on her wall and I thought they were really great...that is where the inspiration came for the whole room. I just needed the right shower curtain and I was on my way. I also found these great Chinese lanterns with my BFF Mic and love how fun they are in the bathroom!! (I actually want to add them to every room in the house!)
So, once a drab bathroom...Now a fab bathroom!!!

What's the Point??

2010-02-03T13:08:00.000-08:00

What is the point of putting a child-lock on the doorknob of the pantry when your 2 year old can get in and out as he pleases?
The result of my negligent care (and Aidan's determination) is this....

(By the way, meet Maddie...She is my cousin Brittany and Josh's little girl and she has been coming to our house for a month or so for some babysitting...Because I am such an AMAZING babysitter! Yeah, Right...)
Don't you love their little guilty/scared faces? Like I was getting ready for a little child whipping or something...
Note to self...Can't leave these 1 and 2 year old children alone for ONE minute!!
Oh... Trix cereal, what would our morning have been like without you?

Our Adventures in Ashton Sitting...

2010-01-25T08:55:00.000-08:00

Last week we were the caretakers for the Ashton children. Together with my children there are a total of 7 kids. They are all the same ages, except for Piper who is 3 almost 4. Needless to say it was a wild and crazy week. :) Here are a few highlights of the week:
Last Monday while school was out, Mike took the girls up to the college hill where they went sledding. It is quite the rough and tumble ride from what I understand, so they were pretty sore and tired after that...

The girls all got these sweaters for Christmas and they thought it was pretty great to match! As a side note: It was a lot of fun to do five heads of hair every morning... Hee hee.

The boys spent their week wrestling/fighting.... or else getting along which means getting into EVERYTHING naughty! Such as throwing things down the stairs...decorations mostly or sometimes each other's blankets and toys. They also thought it was funny to get on the beds and throw the pillows and blankets on the floor. And of course they thought it was great to shred a dried wreath and crinkle the flowers and leaves and throw them everywhere. You know. Everything naughty.
We spent the evenings watching movies and eating snacks...Anything to keep them entertained!

We had only one medical emergency that was able to be handled at home. Tess's earring had grown into the back of her ear. So, I had to remove the back of the earring with the help of a pair of tweezers and with Mike restraining the patient. We all survived, but it was pretty tramatic for all involved!

And finally, this was the best part of the day. It was such a wonderful sight to see 5 little girls all sound asleep for the night. ALL the kids slept really well the whole week. We had a LOT of fun and I hope the Ashton's will invite us back! :)
A highlight of the week for the kids that didn't have pictures:
Lunch and Movie with Grandma and Grandpa Summers (Thanks to them for my break!!)
The girls had SO much fun!

Two years old already!?!

2010-01-15T10:48:00.001-08:00

Yesterday our little fella turned 2 years old. That's right. TWO! I could go on and on about how much this little devil makes us want to pull out our hair, but I won't...Not on his "special" day. :) Instead, I will just say how much we have loved having Aidan in our home (for better or worse)! He is picking up some hilarious personality traits and quite a vocabulary. He says quite a few things, but the best thing is that he says "thank you" for EVERYTHING you give him or do for him. He is very polite. He LOVES going to Nursery and now begs through Sacrament to go to Nursery. He gives great kisses and hugs and is generally a happy fella until someone gets in his personal bubble. Which, at times can be the size of a room! For his birthday, he just wanted to blow out candles over and over. It was a pretty typical 2 year birthday party for our house!

I made up this Elmo cake with the assistance from my friend Rhonda. She gave me the idea for Oreo eyes and for the rainbow cake inside. (Thanks Rhonda!)
Isn't the inside of the cake amazing? I love how bright it is and it tasted good too, so that was the best part!!

Cambree and Brinlee drew pictures of Elmo (and SpongeBob) for Aidan's birthday. Brinlee made him a book about Elmo having a birthday party and it was so cute!! (She is really good at making books. )

Aidan's grandma Judy and his friends the Ashton's each gave him a Tonka toy. Which, matches his Tonka truck from Christmas and so now he has quite the work equipment to play with. And he is loving them!

Holiday Highlights 2009

2010-01-04T11:14:00.001-08:00

Our Christmas was AWESOME!! We had such a good holiday season. We were given the 12 days of Christmas by some amazing friends and it just started our Christmas off right. Our kids recieved so many fun and wonderful things this year. The highlight being the American Girl dolls that Santa brought them. I knew that they had requested this item and so I sewed matching pj's for the girls and their dolls. Aidan got a big Tonka truck and thought it was a great "ride".

After Christmas we went over to my grandparents and the kids went sledding and were also pulled around on a sled behind my Grandpa's Polaris Ranger in his open fields. It was so much fun for them.

Mike and I went to his sister Katie's house for a New Year's Eve party and my sister Emily (or Mi-Mi as Aidan calls her) babysat our kids. She let them dress up in her old prom dresses and even Aidan participated...Much to his father's dismay. **Thanks Mi-Mi for being the bestest auntie EVER!!!!

( The random doll bunkbed picture is because this is what we got the girls at Ikea for their dolls. I just thought it was a fun picture...)

We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday like we did and we wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Our Christmas Card...Blog Style!

2009-12-23T10:25:00.000-08:00

This year I didn't send out Christmas cards...Sorry about that. I figured that most of the people I would send them to, read my blog and pretty much know life's ongoings. For those of you who need a summary, here it is...

Aidan is turning 2 years old in about 3 weeks. Everyday is...well, let's just put it kindly and say it is interesting. I don't know if I really love the behavior he has. He is a wild man that really keeps us on our toes. Literally, we walk around trying not to disturb the delicate balance of life with him. He likes to scream really loud to get his way and he throws tantrums like nothing I have ever seen before. I was told once that boys are mild mannered and so much fun. Really? They should keep Aidan for an hour or two. That's all it would take to change that opinion. HOWEVER, the good definitely outweighs the bad and WE REALLY LOVE HIM! He is saying some hilarious things and this age does have some real fun with it too. (I'll keep you posted when the real fun happens....)

Brinlee is now 6 and in the 1st grade. Her teacher is so great this year and is so pleased with the reading progress that Brin has made. She really does read well and we are proud of her. She loves to color and draw and write. She has written a few books for her best friend Tess and they are so darling. She HATES shopping, so this has been a hard time of year for her. We try hard not to take her with us, but sometimes it cannot be helped. She is always coming up with something hilarious to say and we love our little blonde girl!

Cambree turned 8 in September and was baptized in October by her dad. I have NEVER met a person more excited for birthdays than Cam. She loves EVERY birthday that comes along. Mine, yours, and especially hers. She loves school and has an amazing teacher this year too! She sits by a boy in her class that is pretty competitive and that keeps Cam going. She always has to read a little more, take one more test and study a little harder to beat Pasen. It is fun to watch her interact with others. She is in dance and LOVES it and also is in a singing group that performed a couple of weeks ago and it was so fun. She loves life in general and makes things fun for her family!

Mike, as you may remember lost his job in August. While this was devasting to our family at first, it has turned out to be one of the best things that has happened to us. He was able to get right back into school and is working to earn his teaching certificate in Secondary Education. He hopes to teach Biology, but is getting a double endorsement with Economics too. It isn't the greatest thing to be "career" students, but the end is in sight (again) and next fall Mike will student teach and hopefully land a job in January...That can happen right?

I am still staying at home with my family for the most part. I do a little babysitting in the afternoons and I am cleaning 2 houses about every week or two. I was released from the Primary presidency in November and was just put in the Sunday School to teach 14 year olds. It is a really fun calling so far.

We feel SO blessed this year with everything that has happened and we have felt so much love and service poured out on us. Our testimonies have been strengthened and our family has been too. We are so thankful for the blessings we have: beautiful, healthy children, a warm home, cars that run, amazing family and friends and a very kind, loving Heavenly Father. May you all be so blessed as we, ourselves, have been. We hope you have a wonderful Christmas season and we look foward to sharing the next year with you! Love, Mike, Bridgett, Cambree, Brinlee and Aidan

If you just BELIEVE...

2009-12-05T08:41:00.000-08:00

This year for the Christmas program, the girls got to perform songs from the Polar Express. Our school goes ALL out for these productions and they are amazing. It truly does put a person in the Christmas spirit and I have enjoyed them every year.

**Side note: Last year they decided to divide the school up on two different nights since it was getting to big. So, we actually have to attend on two nights since our girls are only 1 year apart in school...It is still good both nights! :)

These are some pictures using the props that they put up for the program. They really do such a great job and I am grateful for such wonderful teachers who take the time with our students to do this every year. It is a lot of time and effort that they put in and we all know how well teachers get paid... ;)

I loved the Believe sign and wanted to take it home to put in my yard! They showed a movie on the white screen behind it with scenes from the Polar Express while the kids sang the Believe song. Later in the program they sang it again while they did sign language. It was so beautiful!

Last night was our ward party and Santa came for a little Christmas visit to see what the kids wanted!

Aidan didn't want to sit on Santa's Lap. Instead, he kept sneaking up behind Santa and raiding the boxes of treats .

The start of Holiday Fun!

2009-12-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

We had a great Thanksgiving. The kids and I were actually able to leave the weekend before with my cousin Jordan and it worked out perfectly! We got to my parents house late Friday night and the girls missed two days of school, but it was worth it! While I was there, I got some Christmas projects out of the way. With a LOT of help from my mom, I made 5 pairs of pajama pants and two pairs of doll pj's. (There will be plenty of pics of these items on my Christmas post I am sure....)

My mom found this gingerbread village and my girls were so excited to decorate their own little house. It was quite the project, but it did turn out awfully cute and was kind of fun...Grandma and Grandpa are keeping it forever I'm pretty sure. (Hee hee...)

Cambree went to school with my dad on Monday and Tuesday last week with the 4th graders. She ate lunch there and on Tuesday they had a Mountain Man Rendevous party that she was part of. She did some fun things and loved every minute of it. She wrote a note for the kids on the board before she left that said: "You kids better be nice to my grandpa and do what he says. Love, Cambree" It was hilarious. She is getting so big and even though she is in 2nd grade she held her own in the 4th!
My mom and dad got a new little kitten and Cambree loved it SO much. Brin was very jumpy around it and Aidan...well, let's just say that I am sure the kitty was extremely happy when Aidan went home.
My dad makes these hats EVERY year for the kids in his class. (He teaches 4th grade.) He made these up for my kids while we were there and they have worn them to school everyday since. Notice Aidan with his rifle. He is really into the Nerf guns lately.
Random pic of Aidan trying to take the cat from Cambree. This is actually the nicest way he held him all week.
Aidan has this new thing of putting his hands behind his head while he gets a diaper change and when he goes to sleep. It is times like these that I just can't get enough of the little fella...Then he wakes up and I need this picture to remember how precious he really can be!
Another favorite thing for him is to put his hands in pockets. The pockets in his pants, the pockets on his coat. Pretty much every pocket. I can't wait until he figures out he can store a bunch of stuff in those pockets.

Pretty much every year since we have been married, Mike and I have helped put up the Christmas tree for his grandma. The kids are much better helpers and they had fun doing it this year. I think we might not be the best help, but she doesn't seem to mind and it is a great chance to get together with Grandma Ila. She is such an amazing lady who is spunky and fun and who LOVES Christmas. It is an inspiration to be with her at Christmastime and feel her happy holiday spirit and it is a fun tradition to do with our kids.

Our baby is now a BIG boy...

2009-11-10T09:33:00.000-08:00

I have always hated when our babies cross that line between babyhood into childhood. It usually puts me into a sad mourning period... Well, it has now happened with A-Dawg. He has been climbing in and out of his crib for quite some time now and finally I decided to breakdown (not mentally) and get the toddler bed out. My mom got this toddler bed at a yard sale and it has been through all of my kids. It is the cutest little bed and it has always made moving from the crib to a bed so much easier. Anyway, he slept in his bed last night after climbing, jumping on and off and laying all over the ENTIRE thing (before bedtime!) He was pretty excited and so was I after he slept the whole night through without getting up once. So, it is official. Our baby is a little boy....

I asked Mike and the girls to please do a little yard clean up last Monday after Halloween. A minute later, I heard the kids and Mike laughing and he was taking these pictures. I just can't understand how he convinces these kids to participate in such unusual activities. :)

Happy Halloween!!

2009-11-02T08:53:00.001-08:00

We like all of you celebrated Halloween in style this year. We did the traditional carving of pumpkins, attended the school carnival and went trick or treating. My kids loved it and what else is better than a happy child high on sugar? :)

This is the box of crayons I made for Cambree this year. She is such a good sport and loves to wear boxes for Halloween. It was a huge success with the kids in her class. They were pretty impressed!

Brinlee was a red crayon that I made out of felt and we sprayed color in both the girls hair. Cambree's came right out, but Brin still has little pink stripes in hers. Oops.

I did not make Aidan's costume...He loves Elmo right now so we borrowed it from Michelle and he loved it! He actually really does love the costume. He is wearing it right now in fact. But, he does not love having his picture taken and really, really doesn't like to be in the same picture as his sisters...Too bad we couldn't borrow an Oscar the Grouch costume. :)

Yes, everyone got involved in pumpkin carving this year. The girls each made their own faces on the pumpkins and Aidan played with guts and sawed on this piece of pumpkin the whole time. It was actually a good time....

We did Aidan's pumpkin with lite brites...we got the idea from Bonnie's blog. :) It was pretty fun to do and looked pretty cool!

I made these eyeball cookies for Mike to take to pack meeting. They were a big success!

2009-10-19T09:12:00.000-07:00

Two oversights...

2009-10-19T08:59:00.000-07:00

First of all, I understand that an apology is in order. (When posting the baptism day, I may have over looked a few people on my blog...)

The following are some more pics of Cambree's baptism day...

With her sister Brinlee...

And with my AMAZING sister, Emily, who is such a great friend and the best aunt in the whole world!!! She bought Cambree a coat and snowpants this year that are darling and we really appreciate it!

And FINALLY, this is my brother Andy and his new wifey Kristin or as he calls her "Kiki". They made such a HUGE sacrifice to come up for the big day and we really, really appreciate it. We wouldn't have been able to cope if they hadn't made a showing. WE LOVE YOU GUYS! (There, I did a blogging shout out for you Andy..:))

Mike worked in the Spuds this year driving truck for my BFF Michelle's husband Joel. (Did you get all that?) Anyway, he really seemed to enjoy it and they finished last Thursday. If you can believe it, I never remembered my camera to take pictures. The girls and I were able to ride with him one evening and Aidan actually got to ride down a road with him for a minute and we all enjoyed the experience. It is quite the process and fun to be a part of! Luckily, my friend Colette took a picture for me and was kind enough to email it. So, I do have this to remember the "good times"!

The Big Baptism Day!

2009-10-13T20:29:00.000-07:00

Cambree has been counting down the days until her baptism day for about 8 years! The big day finally came and she was the happiest little person on the planet. We had such a good day and so much support from family and friends. Here is the rundown of the day:

Here is a picture of most of those in attendance. There were some late comers...You know who you are... :)

Sadie is Cambree's very best friend and she was so glad that Sadie came. Here are the 5 girlies that are the best of friends!

Grandma Judy and Grandpa Gene!
Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Lori!

My mom made Cambree's dress and it turned out beautiful. She was so thrilled with it and asked my mom to take her up to the temple for pictures. It was such a frigid day, but Cambree didn't mind. She wanted pretty pictures at the temple...

This dress was such a special labor of love. One the front of the sash, are three butterflies that came from Cambree's great grandma "Eriskin" (Erickson) (my Grandma). She had them in some of her sewing things and my mom came across them and asked if she could put them on the dress. They were perfect and now it is just that much more special!!I just thought I would put this picture in. It is every parents desire to see their children love each other and I love that they are walking toward the temple.
My mom bought new pj's for my kids so I am putting this pic in too. They are made of the softest microfleece material and are such cute prints. Just a shout out to Grandma L. Thanks for ALL the new stuff!!!

It is GREAT to be EIGHT!!!

2009-09-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

Well, it has finally come and gone and Cambree has been one very happy little girl! For the past 9 months we have been on the birthday countdown. I am not sure that there is another being out there who loves birthdays to the point of distraction. She loves for people to have birthdays and counts down for them, but she REALLY loves her birthday...I mean really!!
Here is the rundown of the festivities:

I made these "Oreo Pops" for Cambree's school class and dance class. They turned out pretty cute and they actually tasted really good too!

Cambree wanted the new flavor of Cookie Crisp cereal, so we teased her by wrapping it up as a present for her birthday.

She really wanted a bike this year, but the one we really wanted wasn't to be found around here. So, we ordered it online and it is supposed to be here next week sometime. She had to open a picture of a bike and at first I don't think she was so sure about what was going on. She was a good sport though!

Every year, a new Barbie movie comes out right before her birthday and she really wants it. This year it was "Barbie and the Three Musketeers". Cheesy, but it is what dreams are made of for a little girl I guess...

Brinlee was pretty happy until Cambree wouldn't let her see the movie up close and personal. This face says it all....
Aidan just showed up for the cupcakes. Mainly the frosting I guess. :)

Grandma Judy got Cambree a set of blue scriptures and she was SO excited because it had the Doctorine and Covenants in it. This is what they are studying this year in Primary.

Now begins the b-day party portion. We had it 2 days after her birthday because of school...
I actually made a pinata for the party. My friend helped me make my very first one! It was pretty fun and the girls were all about hitting something filled with candy. They didn't care what it looked like, but I actually think it turned out fairly cute! (It's supposed to be a daisy for those of you in question...)

We had a pizza party with little pizzas that they made themselves. The girls loved this and were so cute making them. They finally got to eat what they made...Some were a little anxious for them to be done. :)

This is the cake that I made for the party. I made a filling for the middle out of a little bit of the cream cheese frosting and some raspberry jam I had made. It was really tasty and yet some of the girls didn't seem to be so impressed with it. What's with that?

Just a cheesy game I threw together at the last minute. Inside the balloons were little jelly rings that they got when they popped their balloons...kind of dorky, but whatever.

Everybody loved watching the gift opening! Their reactions were so cute and fun. It was a really fun party....thanks girlies for coming!

Because the 1st one didn't take....

2009-09-17T13:04:00.001-07:00

Today Mike is applying and registering for classes and getting ready to go back to school. (It started a week ago, but Mike thinks he is special and will start on Monday.) I guess that the 1st bachelor's didn't really do much for us or something, so now we are going to try again. So, he is now taking Education core classes and next semester we hope to see him student teaching. By this time next year we hope he is a certified teacher with a teaching job and that our lives can be somewhat stable...Here's to hoping.
In other news. It is that time of year when the garden starts producing and the fruits of our labors pay off. We have eaten potatoes, corn, cucumbers and carrots from the garden. We have 3 pumpkins...Just the right amount for us this year and we have this amazing onion that is about to sprout legs and break free from the dirt. I can't believe how huge this thing is!! It makes me laugh when I see it and I just can't bring myself to pull it up yet. I don't know why.

Family photos!

2009-08-31T10:59:00.000-07:00

On Friday evening, we went and had our $5 family picture taken at the school. Since we were all dressed up, I thought we should probably take advantage and get some pics of us. So, my friend Lisa came and shot some great pictures of us. I think they turned out pretty well. We tried to get by a red barn that is pretty cool, but the side we needed, was growing a ton of stinging nettle. (Lisa found that out for us 1st hand!) Anyway, I want to maybe put one at the top of my blog, so feel free to vote which is your favorite!!

First day of school, movie party with friends and boating with the Brunson's!

2009-08-24T20:09:00.000-07:00

School started last week and the girls were pretty excited about it. I have to admit that I had a harder time leaving Brinlee at the school this year on the first day. It seems strange that she won't be my little buddy for 1/2 the day, but I always have Aidan to fill in the would be quiet hours!
Anyway, they LOVE school!! I am so grateful that they are so willing to go and do anything. And that they love most everything in life right now!
We had a small party on Friday night to watch Hannah Montana the Movie. The girls invited a couple of friends and they watched it outside...yes, in the sunshine (it was from 7-9 so the sun wasn't quite down). It was a lot of screaming and sqealing! But, I think it was pretty fun too!

On Saturday Bonnie and Jason invited us up to the boat club that they belong to and we were able to go boating with them. My kids were able to ride tubes for the 1st time and LOVED it so much...they are already trying to plan the next boat trip!

I also took a turn on the tube with my good pal Bonnie and we took Morgan and Aidan with us. Aidan actually thought that it was a-ok too! I was also introduced to "Tube Wars" with the Brunson fam and let me tell you, it can be brutal...I think they took it easy on me since I could barely hang on as it was! I did get dumped and then I was out for good. I am STILL sore!! Thanks for the great memories and muscle pain you guys!!

Things that don't "crack" me up!

2009-08-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

I can find a lot of joy in my children. They come up with some hilarious things to say and do and can be quite fun. HOWEVER! Some things do not "crack" me up. Let me explain the day I was having at the time I took these pictures. Only Aidan and I were home. So, I put him in the tub and went to grab a diaper for him. After I returned 20 seconds later, I noticed he had pulled his towel into the tub and then thrown it out on the floor and was proceeding to dump cupfuls of water on top of it. So, I got him out and dressed him. While I was cleaning the bathroom, he proceeded to get in the fridge and break the eggs in the egg carton all over. Great. So, I had to clean the fridge. Which to be quite honest, really did need it. While I was cleaning the fridge, he went outside and got a scoopful of pebbles from our backyard and came in and dumped them all over my living room carpet. Aw...the joys of a 19 month old baby boy!! Needless to say naptime and bedtime are a favorite at our house!! :)

The Wedding of the Century!!

2009-08-10T19:57:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday my brother Andy got married. We couldn't have been more happy or excited!! My new sister in law is Kristin and my girls absolutely adore her. She is perfect for my brother and he waited a long time to find her! Here are a couple of pics from the BIG event!!

This is my grandma with my girls. My mom has this great friend Colleen who made some delicious treats for people to have after the wedding while we waited for the bride and groom to come out. It was so perfect and we are so thankful to her! Anyway, here they are enjoying the treats!

Here is my sister and my girls. She is the best aunt in the whole world...Don't believe me? Ask my kids!!

A picture on the famous stone steps. We waited for a while...and the kids were kind of bored...

No,this is not a picture of Kristin or Andy's family. Yes, that is my dad. He likes to play "Who is that guy?" in wedding photos. When my dad goes to weddings at the temple, he waits until other bridal parties are taking family photos and then just casually gets into them like he is part of their family. I am sure that the bride and groom and their families wonder "who is that guy" when they get their pictures developed. Everyone thinks this is a hilarious joke in our family!! **Side note on this particular day. My dad was helping the grandparents and others get positioned for the picture. Like he was really part of the family or something!!

These are pictures from the reception. It was in this really amazing greenhouse place and it was so beautiful. The batteries in my camera died at the end of the reception, but a limo picked them up and my girls thought that was a dream come true. They really wanted to see inside, but there just wasn't time...I guess Andy and Kristin will have to tell them all about it...
Anyway,now my bachelor brother is a married man. How strange/wonderful is that? And, they lived happily ever after...The end!!!

PS Kristin's dad does AMAZING wedding videos. Here is the link to his blog if you want to watch Andy and Kristin's "pre-wedding" video. I can't wait to see the wedding video!! http://idovideos.blogspot.com/

It was more fun when I was a kid....

2009-07-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

Every year when I was growing up, we would float Big Springs with our cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents. It was so much fun and we loved it! Mike and I haven't floated since we had kids because...well, I am not sure what the excuses were. Anyway, this year, my aunt Rosalie and uncle Ryan and my cousins Lane and Megan and their families invited Mike and I to bum along on a river float! It was really fun, but I remember it being a lot more fun and way less work when I was a kid.
This is what we looked like starting out. Aidan wasn't much fun at first. He kept crying and whining and so I thought it was going to be even more miserable. However, halfway through, we figured out he just wanted to put his feet and hands in and play in the water...not float in a canoe!
Mike thought the kids would have fun in a raft to float down, with us pulling them behind. About half way through the trip, he said it was like pulling an iceberg and so he deflated the raft and they rode with us. This is how Cambree rode most of the way in the raft...

Soon, we were able to adopt out one of our children to another canoe. This is Brinlee hitching a ride with Jaxon, Courtney and Megan! She rode the rest of the way down the river with them. (Thanks you Anderson people!) Megan is due to have a baby in about 3 weeks!?! Crazy isn't she?

This is my aunt and uncle and Mikayla... she is Lane and Chelsie's little girl. My girls love playing with their girls!

Chelsie, Lane, Makenzie and Mason... (Ryan and Rosalie in the background along with everyone else in the state!)

Here Aidan is at the end of the trip kicking his feet in the water.
At the end we just played in the river while we waited for the boys to shuttle back the cars!

Free Weekend at Yellowstone National Park!!

2009-07-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

This past weekend it was free to get into national parks. So, Mike thought it would be the perfect time for a little ride up to Yellowstone. (Who can argue with free right?) We saw several animals...Elk, Buffalo, a bald eagle in a nest and the occasional chipmunk. It wasn't the most animals that we have seen there, but it was enough to satisfy!
The elk below had antlers that were in velvet. Didn't mean a lot to me, but Mike thought they were very nice!

This buffalo was so close to the road and lying on a dusty hillside... You can actually see the road on the lower left corner along with the photographer in the mirror.

Mike thought this was one "healthy" looking elk. Always fun to go to Yellowstone with a hunter!
We had a picnic and Brinlee was our official scout. Actually, she just thought these were cool rocks that would make a great picture. Not sure why she is posing like that...

We kept making stops to get the kids out for a little stretch and to take little hikes to see what was happening with the good old hot pots and geysers. We stopped at Yellowstone lake so that "Aidan" could throw rocks. However, I guess we really know who the rock skipper in our family is....

A few years ago, when we were on a trip with my family, we happened upon a fun hike to the "Artist Paintpots". It has these really cool pots that spurt up muddy clay stuff and make super great noises. Definitely worth the hike to see. (Sorry you missed it Sean...we missed you.)

On the way home, Cambree had to use the restroom, so we stopped at a little wayside rest stop and there was a spring that you could drink out of. So, Cam took full advantage of that!
That sums up the adventures of Yellowstone that we had last weekend...I only wish we could have seen a moose...Right Dad?!?

Family Reunion and two special birthdays!

2009-07-12T14:31:00.002-07:00

Every year for the 4th of July, my Grandpa's family has a reunion. This year, we took the kiddies camping and it was pretty fun. The mountains are SO green and full of beautiful flowers...which my girls picked and picked and picked. They couldn't make enough "boo-quets" as Brinlee was calling them. It was a nice weekend...even if we didn't get to see some fireworks!

This is my cousin Lauren. She is such a great sport to play and entertain my kids!

My grandpa and grandma waiting for the big surprise celebration that we had for my grandpa while we were at the reunion! We had cake for everyone and showed a slideshow of pictures from his life that my soon to be sis-in-law Kristin put together. It was so good! My cousin Jordan also sang and played the guitar for my grandpa and it was really nice...
This is my Aunt Tammy and Uncle Paul and two of their four sons...Justin and his wife McKenzie and Jaxon who made this shelter and actually spent the night under it! What a special person he is!! Best Cousins Forever Jax!

We found snow not to far from where we were camping... The kids thought this was great fun in July! I could cry just looking at the cold white stuff in the summer!

Aidan's shirt says Mr. Independent. Which is just what he was while we were there. Taking babies camping is NOT my idea of fun!!

The Birthday Boys!!

My grandpa's 80th birthday is actually today! He is truly an amazing grandpa and an example to his whole family. We hope he has a very wonderful day and many more great years to come!! Love you grandpa!

Sean's birthday is this coming Tuesday, but since we wouldn't be there, the girls and I wanted to have a little party with him. It is a little joke in the family to have "Happy Birthday Stupid" written on my brother's birthday cakes every once in awhile. This year it got to be Sean's turn. My kids were horrified that we would call someone that and put it on their birthday cake!?! And so what was funny to me, soon became a lesson in humility. I guess I am not as funny as I think...(Do as I say not as I do right?!?) Love you too Sean!!

While I have many, many more pics I could share, I will just share these pics taken by a little stream we found that was so pretty!!

2009-07-12T14:31:00.001-07:00

Jack Attack

2009-07-12T14:23:00.000-07:00

While we were at my parent's, my sister Emily had a whole agenda planned out to do with the girls... One day we took them to a place called Jumpin' Jacks. It was great fun for the kids and a perfect way to get rid of some energy. The whole place is filled with a bunch of inflatable toys.

Another night, Emily took them to a Bees baseball game and they were SPOILED by their Auntie. They came home with souvenier shirts and it sounds like they ate and ate.

They played in my parents little wading pool almost everyday and we took them up to a big rec center that has amazing pools for kids to swim in...(because they didn't get enough water at swimming lessons)! There was hardly a free minute while we were there and now we are in massive recovery mode!!

Swimming Lessons...

2009-07-12T14:14:00.001-07:00

Every summer for the past 3 years, we have stayed a week at my parent's home and attended swimming lessons at the pool just down the block from them. (There isn't a convenient local pool around here that does swimming lessons, so this has worked out perfectly!) We just got back from this years swimming lessons and it was a great week! The girls LOVE the water and are getting to be great swimmers. I am amazed at how well they can do. Cambree is getting so good at the back stroke and a front stroke and this year even learned to swim like a dolphin! She also is great at climbing down a pole in the deep end. Brinlee is getting those swimmer basics down! She loves to be in the water and is getting pretty good at floating on her own. What cute little fishies they make!

T-Ball Summary...

2009-07-12T13:52:00.000-07:00

T-Ball ended this year on July 2nd. It was a good season and the girlies had some fun. We were glad it ended when it did because the weather finally decided to get warm!! This is most of their little team...they are all kids from the neighborhood/ward, so it was really fun!

This is Brinlee thinking that the person on 3rd base was not too cool. She didn't want to be touched.

Check out those throwing skills Brin has. I think she learns this from me! ;)

Cambree was always prepared to catch the ball when it came her way...NOT!

Waiting for the pitcher to put the ball on the tee. Cam was actually a little big for t-ball this year, but it was okay with her and okay with me to have them both play on the same team, so we did it!

It's Sweet to be SIX!

2009-06-22T14:31:00.001-07:00

Saturday was Brinlee's birthday. She turned 6 years old and had a very fun day! We did lots of things to celebrate and she said it was the best day ever! These are 6 unique things about Brinlee:

1: She was born the day after her Grandpa Jerry's birthday weighing in at 9 lbs. 2 oz.

2: She didn't have hair on her head until she was 2 years old.

3: She doesn't have a middle name, so we have made some up over time...
Brinlee Boo, Boo, Boo and Brinlee Noodle.

4: She has HATED shopping since she was very small--like around 2 or 3 years old (especially Walmart)!

5: She can read quite well and does well in school.

6: She is actually very sweet considering her stubborn streak and her opinionated ways. She makes us laugh with the things she says and comes up with and we LOVE HER!!

Brinlee got a new bike with ladybugs on it! Her favorite bug...

The girls got their nails done at the beauty school and loved it!

Then they rode the carousel for the first time this year!

We made Brinlee a ladybug cake (as seen on Mic's blog...) This ladybug was pink instead of red...Not sure if we will hire that baker again! ;)

Brinlee made some wishes that she wouldn't tell, so we hope they came true...We love you Blondie!

P.S. Cambree has ALWAYS loved birthdays...especially her own. However, she really struggled showing her joy when Brin got a new bike!

Rain, rain go away...give us a nice summer day...

2009-06-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

It has rained and rained and then rained some more! Just when I think it is going to be a nice day, the clouds roll in and there is more rain. And, it is raining day and night. For three weeks now it has been raining...On the upside, the grass has never been greener and we haven't had to haul hoses around the yard the whole month of June.

Because of the constant moisture, the girls have had 3 T-Ball games cancelled. They have played only one...I'm not sure that we will get to play much this season, since it ends the 1st week of July.
Also, the troops are getting restless! They are in the house all day and driving Aidan crazy! I think he really wanted to be an only child... Here is a new trick he pulled lately. We thought it was hilarious...Hopefully he won't break the drawer!

A quick update!

2009-05-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

The kids sure are growing up fast. I honestly feel like it is happening over night sometimes. Cambree and Brinlee will be finishing kindergarten and 1st grade next week...We are all very excited for summer vacation. Aidan says a few cute words and it is fun. He is obsessed with putting on shoes so the he can "go"! He finds shoes and says "go" all the time. I am not sure if he knows that the word go means to go, or if that is what we call shoes? Basically, he wants to get out of the house as much as possible! He loves to be outside and his new favorite thing is to play in water. He loves playing with the hose, playing in puddles and playing in the swimming pool. He is a water lover! Here he is reaching into the pool. We kept thinking he would fall in, but he never did--until today when I was draining it. He didn't care. He just splashed around and when I tried to get him he would run to the other end laughing.

He has also developed a lovely habit of putting his hands down the back of his diaper and pulling it down...This is the result...

A wedding, a recital and a new middle name...

2009-05-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Mike's mom got married. It was really nice and we are excited for them. Between the two of them, they have 21 kids and 28 grandkids. It will be quite the family gatherings from here on out!

Cambree had her ballroom dance recital last night. It was AMAZING! It was so fun to watch all the different schools perform their numbers and I was amazed at how well they did for only practicing for the past 8 weeks or so. They had costumes for all the groups that were beautiful and Cambree loved the blue skirt that they had her group wear. She wants to do it again next year and hopefully Brin will want to do it too.

Speaking of little Brinlee...she is at it again... Yesterday I told her that she couldn't let Aidan have a hard candy and she replied to me: "CAN'T HAVE IT is my middle name"! So, I guess I must tell her that she can't have things a little too often or something. Honestly, I don't know where she comes from!!

Running a MILE in 1st Grade?!?!

2009-05-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

The past two days the elementary school kids have been running a mile with their PE class. Today was Cambree's turn. The PE teacher sent home a note that says if you would like to come and support and cheer on your student, that would be great. So, we bundled up and braved the hurricane winds that we are having and went to watch.

It was a great lesson to be there for. The teacher said that life was like running a mile. Sometimes things will get hard in life and rather than giving up, you just grit your teeth and push on through. (She gave ideas of ways to make running more bearable...) After watching Cambree run four times around the track and losing a little steam at the end, Brinlee ran with her and I at one point also jogged along side her. (Scary thought right?)

All in all, it was a lesson that made me think and even though I didn't think they would REALLY make 1st graders run the ENTIRE mile, I am glad that they did it and I hope they learned something today too!

Living here is LAME!!

2009-05-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

This is what my 5 year old screamed at me this morning...I don't know where in the world she comes up with such things and sayings, but after having spent the morning with her crying and screaming at me, I am realizing that things are going to be changing around here...I just don't know where to begin.

Last night was Brinlee's Kindergarten program. The school does this in place of "graduation". They sing cute songs and they do a little dance and it is over in 30 minutes. Could you ask for anything better?
Brinlee was hilarious to watch. She was a little behind with the actions and most times she was looking off into space, or at something interesting behind her. All in all though, we were pretty proud of our little kindergartner Brin!!

Dance pictures

2009-04-29T12:23:00.000-07:00

These are the pictures that were taken of the girls for dance this year. I think they turned out great!!

Dance Recital and Crib Escapes!

2009-04-27T15:35:00.001-07:00

Cambree and Brinlee had their final dance recital last Wednesday and it was a smashing success. They did very well and looked so cute in their shirts and costumes. Brinlee's costume was itchy and uncomfortable for her and she let me know it time and again, but she still performed and did a great job. They are excited for next year already! They LOVE dance!! *Side note: I was helping with the music and unable to take pics or video and Mike was in charge. These are the ONLY pics we got of the whole night...But, he did video the performance so that counts for something right???

Today I thought to myself that Aidan had been sleeping an awful long time for his nap. So, I decided to go wake the little fella. Well, when I opened the door to his room, he wasn't in his crib and his blankets were in front of the door. His closet was open and I called his name (because it is a strange feeling walking into a baby's room and not seeing them where they should be) and he peeked at me from around the closet door with a huge smile on his face as he was pulling out every diaper in there. My heart sank as I realized that he can now climb out of the crib. I placed him back in the crib to see how exactly he did such a thing. Yes, he is very tall...yes, the crib mattress is on the lowest setting and yes the rail is at the highest setting. Now what?!?!

San Diego is the place for me!

2009-04-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

I have to say that I LOVED San Diego! It was a very fun trip with my family and a very nice wedding in the San Diego temple. Thanks to McKenzie and Justin for choosing to be married there, we were able to make a nice little vacation out of it! These are a few pics that I took while I was there. We all had a great time and I was glad I got to go. Here are a few of the highlights:

**The ocean/beach. Need I say more? (Only thing missing was my dad!)
**The San Diego temple. It is so beautiful!
**Trying out the many good places to eat. (There are SO many!)
**McKenzie's PINK shoes. (She was the bride.)
**Coronado
**The harbor excursion
**Touring the USS Midway with my grandpa and grandma! (I am truly blessed to have spent this time with them.)
**My mom getting pooped on by a bird right on the bum!
**My mom and her tangle with the "rogue" wave.
**Walking the pier with Andy, Jaxon and my mom and learning about fishing in the ocean.
**Sharing meals with Jordan.
**The milk wagon.
**Sharing my a drink with my flight companion...
**Being with my extended family! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Easter

2009-04-15T12:05:00.000-07:00

Finally I am blogging about Easter. It was actually a really nice weekend. The Easter Bunny likes to visit our house on Saturday instead of the traditional Sunday, which makes it a lot nicer for us on our busy Sunday mornings. So, on Saturday the kids got up EARLY and looked for eggs all around the living room. Aidan didn't hunt for eggs, he just raided the ones that the girls found and quickly ate up as much candy as he could. Cambree and Brinlee loved hunting eggs and it was fun watching them. At 10 we went to the park for a little Easter egg hunt put on by the city and it was really fun too! The kids are getting really good at going for the plastic eggs because they know that they contain the prizes (this is after a "little" coaching from their mom)! Anyway, they had success and were able to go to several of the businesses in town and claim their prizes. One place was giving $1 bills as the prize. It was great!

I am taking a little break from parenting and heading off to San Diego for my cousin's wedding. I will be leaving tomorrow and Mike has convinced the girls that they are to be mother's in charge of everything. They had a little practice at this a couple of weeks ago when I was gone and they thought it was great. Aidan is of course the recipient of the mothering, but I don't think he cares much. So, it looks like things will be in good hands.

Catching up

2009-04-06T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here is a little bit of what has happened in our lives the past week or so...
Brinlee lost her second bottom tooth, so now we have one child missing her top two teeth, one child missing her bottom two teeth and Aidan who is growing 4 molars and two bottom teeth all at one time. Could we have any more teething issues going on at one time?

Our "Adventures in Aidan-sitting" just keep getting more and more wild. This is how we mostly find him throughout the day:

He loves two little books that we have and he will drag them everywhere with him. He loves to close himself in rooms. Especially the girl's room and when he does, you can usually find him looking at books...mostly on Brinlee's bottom bunk. It is pretty cute.

Something that is not cute: Baby boogies all over the front window and all over the loveseat that he climbed up on to get to the window. Not a mother's favorite thing to find.

Aidan loves feeding himself and every baby needs a fun self feeding picture such as this right? Not such a joy to clean up, but funny all the same! These are the days of our lives....

My birthday weekend away...

2009-03-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

For my birthday, my family made a plan to meet us in Lava Hot Springs and celebrate this past Friday night to Saturday afternoon. It was a great weekend and I will just share a few photos from it. (We took like 158 or something.)

We stayed in a house with 3 bedrooms that had 3 queen beds and a set of double sized bunkbeds. It was so fun. We had access to a pool and it was a little warmer than bathtub water...It was pretty warm but I loved it!

The extra person in the pics is Kristin...She is my brother Andy's girlie friend and they are getting married--although it is not "official" yet! She is a great addition to our family (although she may be thinking not so much of us) and we were excited to get to know her better...

This was my birthday cake. It was just a lot of different kinds of cupcakes that Andy and Kristin brought from a place called "So Cupcake". They were delicious and perfect!!

We found a park that was really fun and it had these little "memorial" benches that were donated by families. We couldn't resist taking more pics...

P.S. My dad was in attendance...however, he hides from cameras!

Another Brinlee tale...

2009-03-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

I honestly do not know what I am going to do with this child...She may just be the death of me. Anyway, I just had to share the latest sassy comment. Today before she got on the bus I asked her to get the broom and dustpan out for me and she said: "I don't want to get it for you. You're a mean mom! All you say is "Get this Brin, get that Brin" and I don't like it. You have arms and legs, so you should get it!" This did not end well for our little blonde girl. Seriously. What am I going to do?

A little of this...a little of that...

2009-03-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here are some updates on our crew:
Cambree: Is starting a Ballroom Dance class on Thursdays. She is so excited because they will get to dance with some boys :) and because they are going to learn the Cha-Cha. Honestly, I think this girl would be happy with ANYTHING in life.
Brinlee: Is a girl FULL of attitude and spunk. Yesterday when I told her to stop playing the Wii and get ready for school she told me that I was a stupid mom that gets to do whatever I want, whenever I want. She is a 13 year old trapped in a 5year old body. I wonder what the teen years will bring our way?? *Side note, while we continue to work with Brin and her outbursts, she is a WONDERFUL girl in our family and we love her very, very much!!
Aidan: For a couple of months now, he has folded his arms when we say prayers and blessings on the food. It is darling to watch babies fold their arms and has brought a lot of joy to our family. Another habit that this child has picked up is shaking his finger at me and yelling in baby language just what he thinks of me. When he is in trouble and I tell him "no", he points his finger and me and just starts screaming. (He is led by example I guess...) It isn't super great, but it is pretty funny. And the last thing to report is that we watch too much junk in our home I have decided. Aidan LOVES the opening part to SpongeBob SquarePants...The girls favorite TV show...He will actually yell "Aye, Aye Captain" when they say it in the beginning...It sounds something like this "Iii Iii Yaayaa". What an awesome thing for a 14 month old to know. *Side note: I am trying to wean him from the bottle...I just can't remember how I did it with the other two!

The craziest things...

2009-02-23T15:03:00.000-08:00

As you can see, Brinlee FINALLY decided to be brave and get her ears pierced. She has wanted earrings like Cambree for a long, long time but was too scared to get them pierced. Our little friend Piper had her ears pierced on Valentine's day and when Brinlee heard this, she gained enough courage to finally get hers done too!

A funny side note: It made Cambree a little pouty since Brinlee was getting all the attention and she sulked for half the day... Just when she was getting over it, we were in the car and Brinlee pipes up from the back and says "Mom, remember that I got my ears pierced today?" And, we started all over again with Cambree saying that we never paid attention to her when she got hers done. Oh the drama....

To top off Brin's weekend of excitement, she lost her 1st tooth!! She was thrilled about her little tooth and couldn't wait to put it under her pillow. Cambree was a lot more supportive of this event than the last... This is a picture of our two toothless girlies. We are in quite the stages around here. One child is getting teeth and two are losing teeth.

Mike thought he would pull a gag on the girls and get them these large pencils. They think they are the most wonderful things ever. So far they have done homework with them and have taken them to school for show and tell. What fun.

And now our "Adventure's in Aidan-Sitting"! These couple of pictures are of the haircut I just gave our little fella. I couldn't stand the long unkempt baby hair anymore, so I took it upon myself to cut it off. It turned out just fine and I am thinking it will be much more boyish looking. *A side note to this adventure is: Cutting hair on a 13 month old is NOT a lot of fun...

A new place for Aidan to explore is the top of the bunkbeds. It isn't super cool. He thinks it is, but his mom isn't really thrilled with it! In fact, we are now down to only one room with the door left open during the day and that is his own room. Today he actually fell off the top bunk and that was the last straw. I am getting so worn out chasing this child around keeping him off things. The things he now climbs are: Up on the back of the toilet, the top bunkbed, the computer chair which puts him at perfect level to climb and sit on the computer desk, the middle of the kitchen table, etc... What am I going to do!?!? Hopefully he doesn't learn to open doors soon since I can keep him out of all the rooms right now. Fun times ahead I can assure you!

Our Valentine's Day

2009-02-17T14:08:00.000-08:00

This year one of my new year's resolutions/goals is to start fun, new traditions with my family. So, this is what I came up with for Valentine's day...

On Friday night, I gave the girls a mini heart attack in their bedroom. I taped up some hearts around their room and then sprinkled hersheys hugs and kisses on their floor. I wrote them each a little valentine and also left them a little prize. They thought it was pretty special and had fun with it. Aidan also got a little prize, but I didn't leave him a heart attack. I didn't want him to eat the paper. Maybe next year...
Mike then took the girls for a special valentine's date...They went ice fishing and had a ton of fun! They are quite the outdoorsmen, which makes their dad ever so happy. When they got back, we went to Grandma Judy's and left her a little valentine day surprise in her bedroom--the girls hid gummy bears for her to find with a little poem-- and then later we had another heart shaped pizza with candle light and ate treats dipped in fondue. It was a fun and festive day!

We started our Valentine's day celebrations with an early birthday party for our Jordan! He got home from his mission last August and so this was his first birthday back. We tried to make it the same as he remembered, so we had a heart shaped pizza and made him a Texas sheetcake that the girls and I decorated with his nickname! His birthday is actually on Valentine's day so we had the party on Thursday and it was really fun for the kiddos!

Baby Tag

2009-02-17T12:51:00.000-08:00

Baby Tag... All about the kiddies!
1.Where were you when you first found out you were prego?
Home with all three--I was expecting it with Cambree...Brinlee and Aidan were great surprises!!
2.Who was with you? Mike was for #1 and #2. I took it in secret with Aidan because I felt really dumb taking one--in case it wasn't what I thought it was.
3. How did you find out you were pregnant? A prego test with Cam. Then I just felt sick with Brin and Aidan and decided to take a test to see why that was so.
4. What was your first reaction to being pregnant? THRILLED!! Each and every time.
5. Who was the first person you told? Mike. (Except with Aidan...then I called Michelle and told her and asked if I should do something cutesy to tell Mike...I couldn't wait to do anything CUTE. I was bursting with the news!)
6. Did you plan to get pregnant? Sure...
7. Did you tell everyone else right away? With Cambree we couldn't contain ourselves. We waited with the other two until after the 1st appointment. That was a long wait!
8. Was everyone happy for you? Of course
9. Did you go out and celebrate? Each time Mike took me to dinner...what a guy!!
10. Did you wanna find out the sex? Of course! Mike wanted to know if we were going to have a boy!!
11. What was the sex? Girl, girl, boy
12. Did anyone throw you a shower? I was given a shower by the people at Mike's work with Cambree. Mic threw me a shower when I had Aidan.
13. Did you get any outfits that you knew you wouldn't ever put on your baby? Would I ever admit that out loud?!?! (Actually, I was so grateful for everything, that I used it ALL!)
14. How much weight did you gain? 25 with Cam, 20 with Brin and Aidan!
15. Did you lose all the weight that you gained? Hello! Still carrying it! (Not all of it, but quite a bit!)
16. Did you get any stretch marks? Are you kidding me? Is it even an option NOT to get stretch marks?!?!
17. What did you crave the most? Hot dogs with relish--Cam Fresh fruit--Brin FROSTING--Aidan
19. Who or what got on your nerves? Um, everything. Just ask Mike and my family. I am not to be messed with while I am pregnant!
20. Did you have any complication with your pregnancy? I lost hearing in my right ear with Cam and had to have a tube put in (PAINFUL!) I had a strange bleeding growth on my upper arm with Brin that had to be removed and left a strange round scar. With Aidan,I had another strange looking growth on my forehead that looked like a zit that also had to be removed and left a scar. What can I say? Freaky!
21. When and where did you go into labor? I was at home when I went into labor with Cambree at about 11:00 pm on Saturday night...stayed up all night cleaning and timing contractions with Mike (he didn't love that). Went to the hospital the next morning at 9:00. Had her at 6:00 pm. Was started with Brinlee and Aidan.
22. Did your water break? No-never.
23. Who drove to the hospital? Mike
24. Who was in the room when you gave birth? Mike, Dr. and a nurse. My mom was there when Cambree was born.
25. Did you go early or late? Four days early with Cambree and was started one day early with Brin and on my due date with Aidan.
26. How long were you in labor for? About 19 hours or so with Cam (probably would have been less if my water had been broken earlier!) About 2 hours with Brin and about 20 minutes with Aidan. (I go pretty fast after they break my water!)
27. Did you have drugs for the pain? Of course I did. I'm not crazy!
28. Natural or C-section? Natural
29. What was your first reaction when they were first born? Happy and disbelief. Was I really a mom?
30. How big was she/he? 6lbs 10oz (Cam) 9lbs 2 oz (Brin) 8lbs 15 oz (Aidan)
31. Did your husband cry? Mike doesn't cry about ANYTHING!!(I think he might be broken. Hee hee.) But, he was very happy.
32. What did you name your baby? Cambree, Brinlee, Aidan Michael
33. Any significant Meaning? Just names we really liked!
34. Any visitors? Sure. I am very popular.
35. Did baby have any complication? Cambree had to have a little oxygen at first, but was fine.
36. How old is your baby today? Cam is 7 1/2 yrs. Brin is 5 1/2 yrs. Aidan is 13 mos.
37. When is the next one coming? Who knows?!?
38. If you could would you do it all over again? Of course. I love them all so very much!!
39.TAG: Mic, Bonnie, Katie, Susie, Misty, Melissa, Jenn--pretty much anyone who reads my blog and would like to share in this fun post!

I am loved...

2009-02-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

Last night when the kids and I got home from dance class, we were greeted with this in our snowbank by our front sidewalk. There was also a heart taped to our door as you can see. I was given a "heart attack" by the activity day girls in our ward and it truly made not only my day, but my whole month of February! It was so exciting to have someone think of me and "love" me. My kids were so excited and when we came in, Mike said that someone had rung the doorbell and left a plate of cookies as well. Then the girls were ecstatic!! Just a little funny tidbit: The activity day girls had written on the hearts and they said cute things like Be my BFF and Happy V-Day. The funniest one though was "Best Lovers". I thought it was hilarious. They are still out in my snowbank. I just don't have the heart to bring them in yet. Although it is snowing and I hope they don't get buried...so, I am sure we will bring them in later today.

Another thing that happened yesterday was that Aidan (who climbs up on things like a crazy man now) climbed up on Mic's dining room chairs that are bar stool height and fell off face first. He of course cut his lip and bled like crazy, but things seem to be fine now. This is a little picture of his lip the day after. It doesn't look too bad, but it is still swollen. One other thing that he has been up to lately is finding our curling irons and trying to plug them into the outlets in the hall...because that is a good idea?!?!! I have to watch this little child every minute!
Brinlee is really starting to read well. She started reading Cambree's homework last night and I was amazed at what she can do. She is a bright little girl if I do say so myself.
Cambree is still just such a happy girl. She loves EVERYTHING! She is excited for Valentine's day and can't wait until her class party.
And because I have nothing clever to say now:
The End.

Another Birthday Shout Out!!

2009-02-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Today is my mom's birthday! We called her bright and early this morning to wish her a happy day! She is a great mom and grandma and does so much for us! (My kids would be bare naked if it weren't for her summer hobby of shopping yard sales!) We sure love and appreciate all she does for us! Happy birthday grandma Lori!

In other news: Aidan finally got his 1 year picture taken. They were taken by our friend Jason and he did a great job. They probably would have been even more amazing if our 1 year old would hold at all still and cooperate just a tiny bit. But, whatever...Here are some of the pics:

Happy Birthday Grandma Judy!!

2009-02-02T13:36:00.001-08:00

Today is Mike's mom's birthday...I won't state how old she is here, but if you knew, you would be astounded! She looks AMAZING!! She is such a great mother/grandma/mother-in-law...etc. She would do anything for Mike and our family and that really means a lot to me/us! She is actually in Arizona for the week with her siblings and we hope she is having a great time there! We love you Grandma Judy and hope you have a great birthday!! (Sorry about the photo, we were having camera problems, and this is the best one we got...)

Our visit from the Andy's

2009-02-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

Last week my brother Andy had to travel for his job. He drove right past my house and honked. I didn't take too much offense, because if you must know, he doesn't like me much! :) Hee hee. Anyway, the next day he was headed home and decided to grace me with his presence and stop for literally 20 minutes or something. He was with another Andy who he works with. They call my brother Grande at work and the other Andy is Little Andy. They seem to be okay with it, so whatever. Anyway, they played the Wii for a little bit and then were on their way. This post is for them because they really deep down think blogging is the COOLEST!!!
As a side note: The Andy eating Brin's apple IS my brother. The Andy that Aidan liked best was Little Andy. Huh. Go figure.

Nothing much...but a lot!!!

2009-01-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

This post isn't about anything much and yet it is I guess. It all started on Saturday. It had snowed and it was so heavy and fun. The kids and Mike decided to go out and shovel and I decided to take Aidan out too. So, thanks to a neighbor who has two boys and let us borrow a snowsuit, Aidan was well dressed. We bundled up the little naughty and out we went. He LOVED it so much!! This was pretty much his first official get down and walk/play in the snow day...

We did a little or a lot of every snow activity you can imagine...built a snowman, dug a small snow cave in the ice encrusted snowbank, pulled Aidan around on the sled, pushed him down the snowbank in the sled and got out the good ol' kiddie car. All in all, it was a success. (Yes, the little fella was rolling out of the sled!!)

Cambree and Brinlee were such good sports. They wanted to help Aidan enjoy this white, cold stuff as much as they do! Cambree especially!

Later that same day, we dressed the girls up and away we went to a dance dress rehearsal. I was running a little late of course and had to hurry and get the kids there. So, we ran out to the van and of course it wouldn't start. So, I told them to jump into Mike's car and we would take that. Now, for any person who doesn't know me, you must understand that I say this with a lot of love, but complete honesty. Driving Mike's car is like driving a dumpster around. So, there wasn't a lot of room in the car, because of all the papers and stuff he has EVERYWHERE. Anyway, long story longer...we got there. We had forgotten their dance shoes and a change of clothes. Poor Brin. Her costume doesn't fit, so a super nice mom of another dancer offered to take her costume and get it fixed for me. I totally took her up on that offer and after the practice, sent Brin home with her Grandma Judy in tights and a coat and nothing else. Poor Brin. So, these are the pictures of the dance rehearsal. My cousin Justin came to watch and the girls were THRILLED that he did!! Brinlee was already gone when I took this picture with Cambree and Justin...

So, that pretty much wraps up the past few days...Just one last little diddy and of course another picture and then I will end. Today the snowplow FINALLY came by after 4 or 5 days of snow and when he passed by our house, he ran down our mailbox! It is now stuck in place by the very LARGE snowbank he pushed up around it and come spring, our mailbox will be unable to stand on it's own. Just thought I would enter this in the good ol' blogging journal.
Here is a pic of my kids eating the mini ice cream cones that I fixed them for a snack. Aidan isn't too sure about it.

Our week in review

2009-01-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

Wow! Sometimes time can really fly by...not that we are doing much lately...you know, the winter cold and whatnot, but time really does move quickly. Here are this week's highlights:
Last Sunday, we went to a baptism open house for Cambree...She will be 8 this fall and baptized! Crazy!!
Then, we came home and the girls went into the bathroom to wash their hands and our little shadow that follows everyone around was right behind them...only to be shut out of the bathroom and have his poor little hand smashed in the door by the hinges. It was very tramatic for mother and son alike. It looks much better now, but I thought we might have to have medical attention for it.
Monday was a day out of school because of Human Rights day and so, I did my normal Monday cleaning and the girls helped out by washing baseboards and walls! They didn't complain at all and the walls haven't looked better.

We have had a routine since last fall with my cousin Jordan. He comes out on Wednesday nights and does laundry and stays for dinner and plays with the kids...also helping Cambree with her homework. It is a great evening for us...we aren't too sure how he really feels about it, but he keeps coming back and my kids LOVE him to pieces! (If any of you know a cute single girl, this kid would be a CATCH!!)

Aidan is at it again...well, he never really stops! My house will never be the same I have decided. This boy is really rocking our world around here!!!

And, finally...every morning, I get Cam up, get her ready, put her on the bus and then I get in the shower. At some point Brin and Aidan wake up and they just hang out while I get finished getting ready for the day. What great kids...Brin is watching TV by the way.

1st Birthday part 2

2009-01-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

I took Aidan in today for his 1 year appointment and he now weighs 23.7 lbs. and is 31 1/2 inches long. He is still pretty much at the top of the charts which is great!! He is a healthy boy who could stand to be just a tad happier, but what can you do? We had a great birthday party last night with just our family and my cousin Jordan stopped in to do a load of laundry. It was a fun night for the girls and now they are counting down until their birthdays...what a long year this could turn out to be. Oh, just a little FYI--Aidan was the top boy baby name for 2008. So much for being individual...

Has it been a year?!?!

2009-01-14T13:12:00.000-08:00

One year ago today, Mike and I got up early and went to the hospital so I could get started into labor. I had to have some antibiotics pumped into my system before they would break my water, so we just watched a lot of Home Improvement and Price is Right while we waited for anything to happen. (Not a lot on for early daytime TV...Poor Mike!) Finally at 1:50, the Dr. came in and broke my water and went back to the office only to turn around and come right back because at 2:10, our big baby boy Aidan was born. He weighed 8 lbs. 15 oz. and was about 21 in. long. (Not my biggest baby, but a very close second!)
Aidan has been such a joy in our lives! He wants us all to know his place in our family and is very vocal. He now practically runs everywhere he needs and wants to go. He is into EVERYTHING and throws some great tantrums when you get after him. This birthday is bittersweet for me because we waited so long for a little baby in our home and now our little baby is growing up too fast!! We love our little boy Aidan and can't wait to see what fun he is this next year!

Home again, home again...

2009-01-02T13:06:00.001-08:00

Well, after many days and nights spent at my parent's house for the holidays we are finally home and it feels strange to be back into some what of a normal home life. Christmas was good. Here is a BRIEF run down of it all...

Cambree lost her 1st top tooth on the 18th and was so excited to go to school on Friday to get on the "tooth chart"...and, wouldn't you know it...school was cancelled. This happened to her in the spring too. She lost her tooth on the very last day of school after it was let out for summer vacation. So, hopefully she can still get on the tooth chart when they go back to school. She lost her other top tooth on Christmas night. So, the tooth fairy came for a visit the night after Santa and she was thrilled. Her goal was to have them both come on Christmas Eve, but this was just as good.

We got a Wii for Christmas and Brinlee is a PRO bowler! She gets more strikes than anyone I know. She loves it and we all have a lot of fun playing it. (I will try to take a picture of her playing soon!)
Aidan was such a joy the whole trip...NOT! Okay, he really wasn't terrible. He learned how to go down stairs which was nice--still needs some practice though. He also thought that he needed to wake up in the middle of the night EVERY night, which was just super for all of us. I wonder if this new drinking habit he has is the reason behind it all...Mtn. Dew anyone?

We had a really fun trip and wonderful Christmas/New Year and my kids loved every minute. They are ready for school to start again so that is good. It will be nice to have some routine back in our lives...

Walking, walking, walking....

2008-12-15T14:53:00.001-08:00

I know that this blog feels like it is dedicated to Aidan the wonder child...really, it is almost pathetic how a mother brags about her children isn't it? Anyway, just for journaling purposes, Aidan started taking his first steps the week of Thanksgiving...the Monday before or so. (November 24) He now is really starting to prefer it. If he falls, which he does a LOT, he crawls to the nearest furniture or wall and pulls up and away he goes. He is actually becoming a little more even tempered (hee hee) and that is nice. He is however, upset in this video because he wants the camera. He turned 11 months yesterday. Crazy.

More of our Christmas season...

2008-12-08T18:20:00.000-08:00

Well, the countdown is definitely on for Christmas. We got our two school programs out of the way. It was a great program and even though it was the same both nights, it was enjoyable.

Our little Brinlee decided that she wasn't going to sing. She just wanted to wear the little lamb's ears and look cute I guess. She did her little dance that she was assigned and that was good, but if Cambree hadn't been sitting by us (in the stands mind you) singing all of the songs we wouldn't have had a child performing on that first night.

So, we wised up the second night and I went to the program with Cambree and my cousin Jordan. Mike stayed home with Brin and Aidan and it was a much more enjoyable program for us all. Cambree sang and participated in all the songs and thought it was grand. This was the night she was SUPPOSED to sing. All in all it was a success!

They had a pretty nativity scene set up and during the program Mary and Joseph and their baby Jesus came and knelt at the manger. It was really neat. So, the girls needed a picture in front of this scene.

A little Aidan update. The day after I posted his head trama, he hit his head again on the same door frame and had another great bruise to add on the forehead. For some reason after that, he ended up with about 3 more bruises. They were travelling around I guess. Anyway, they look a lot better this week, but unfortunately for me, he still thinks that he wants to walk. He is getting better and better...
He also started making car noises when he pushes cars around on the floor and it is SO cute!!! (If I do say so myself.) I tried to video it, but he just wanted the camera and didn't want to perform. Go figure.

The funniest things.

2008-12-08T18:16:00.000-08:00

Kids really do say the funniest things! Tonight I was getting the bathtub ready for the girls and I said "The first one in here, gets a special surprise." Brinlee came running in and was so excited to be the first. Cambree came in bawling. So, I asked Brin what she thought her special surprise was going to be and she looked at me and said "Probably a fart." I laughed and laughed because that was definitely NOT the surprise I was going to give her, so I asked her why she would think that. She said it was the kind of surprise her dad gives her. We will have to have a real heart to heart Mike and I!

This is the season beloved of the year...

2008-12-01T14:27:00.000-08:00

The Christmas season is upon us and we are so excited!! The girls are going to participate in a Christmas program at school. However, the school has gotten so big that they have to divide it up and have it on two different nights. So, we will be enjoying the same program both nights with different children. Aren't we the luckiest??? Actually, we are pretty fortunate because it is a great way to start the holiday season.

Poor little Aidan thinks that Christmas is a punishment. He just wants to touch the lovely red glass ornaments, but every time he gets close to the tree he is told NO. He will be so thrilled to see this season over and done with.

Aidan has started taking steps and is the cutest thing around! However, he is still VERY unsteady and is crashing into things more and more. Not fun...This is from last night's accident. It was from one of our door frames...I am amazed at what babies can live through.

Our Thanksgiving craft

2008-11-25T18:22:00.000-08:00

Every Tuesday afternoon the kids and I head up to Michelle's house for dance class. While the girls take turns in class, I babysit Michelle's kids. I usually babysit from 3 to a little after 6. So, I have tried to come up with activities and treats to keep all 7 kids busy. (Luckily the baby boys usually sleep for some of this time.) Anyway, this is the activity that we did today. They are turkeys made out of apples, marshmallows, raisins and carrots...all put together with toothpicks. It kept them busy for about 2 hours which was great and they turned out pretty funny. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!