Sleepy Girl

Weirdo(s)

Weirdo is a term of endearment around here and it's a good thing because we have a house full of them.

Preschool With Sadie

Sadie's class had a special day where the parents could go and see everything the kids had been doing and learning for the past six weeks.  She had a lot of fun being able to show us, especially daddy, around her school.  She got to show us all of her different centers, the playground, toy room, courtyard and other areas of her preschool.  I am so glad that we decided to go with this program this year.  It has been great for Sadie.

Love

This picture just makes me smile.  I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again but I really hope my kids stay close forever.  They are all such good buddies.

Pink Panther

Abby is 4 months old today but these pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago.  She has her doctor appointment Monday and I'll add her stats at that time.  Matt went to a business conference in Florida a few weeks ago and brought home a "pink panther" toy for Abby and she loves it.  She sucks on it, cuddles it and tries to rollover to get to it.  I cannot believe how fast Abby is growing up.  It's too fast!

Sadie's MBASA Soccer

It took some convincing but Sadie played soccer again via MBASA.  She scored a couple of goals and loved hearing us cheer her on from the sidelines. 

Family Pictures

I have an obsession with family pictures and wish I could do them way more often than I do.  I scheduled to do family pictures last year but Matt ended up being out of town for some school things so I decided to just do pictures of the kids. They turned out amazing but were quickly outdated when Abby joined our family. We haven't had professional family pictures taken of all of us since Sadie was about six months old and I couldn't wait any longer.  I have looked at these pictures close to one hundred times already because I love them so much but more so because I love my people so much.  Some of my favorite pictures are the ones that aren't perfectly posed because they show the kids' personalities so well.  I love my family and cannot wait to have some wall space that I can cover with these new pictures.  The last picture is my favorite because it's where everything started.  I fell in love with the most amazing man and together we've built this beautiful family. I am one lucky woman, wife and mother.

22 Years of Friendship

(This picture is from a couple years ago but it is a very favorite of mine of the two of us.)

If there is anyone that has seen the good and bad, the happy and sad, the funny and obnoxious, the loud and louder, the acceptable and inappropriate and everything else in between that makes up who I am... it is Jamie.  She has known me and been my best friend longer than anyone else and has easily spent the most time with me over the years and somehow I've managed to keep her coming back.  If I look back at the most memorable or favorite moments of my life, Jamie has been at nearly all of them.  We experienced grade school, junior high, high school, band, young women's, girls camp, softball, basketball, sport camps, tournaments, European travels, sleepovers, and thousands of times hanging out over the years.  Jamie was there when I got married. Jamie has come out to visit me when I had my babies. Jamie has always been among the first to know anything about me.  Jamie has always been there for me and now she is there for my kids. My parents introduce Jamie as their daughter. Jamie was the missionary I was most faithful in writing. Jamie remains one of the strongest examples in my life of how to live and how to be live the Savior. Jamie is real. Jamie does not change who she is or how she acts depending on who is in the room. She is constant. She is beautiful. She is fun. I am grateful to have such an amazing friend and support in my life.  She has come to my rescue more than a few (hundred) times when faced with different challenges and continues to come to the rescue of me and my family. I have been extremely blessed to have such an amazing friend for the better part of my life and am so very grateful for the opportunity to be living close to her again.  I always dreamed of raising our families together and it means everything to me that Matt and Jamie have such a good relationship and the kids know Jamie as well as they do and that she has had a big influence in their lives. 

This might seem random but I have been reminded so much lately at how much Jamie has and still does for me.  I honestly wouldn't be nearly the person I am without her influence in my life.  Love you, Jamie!!

Growing Up

Tanner is growing up and changing so much so fast.  He loves his people and gets so excited when any of them come into the room and shouts their name.  He adores his sisters and loves playing with or teasing them and he's still obsessed with Shelby.  This little boy is not so little any more and as much as he gets into everything and keeps me busy, he is still the most fun and hilarious little guy I know.  Nearly every day he grabs on to my leg and refuses to let go while saying, "my mommy" and laughing as I walk while he's hanging on.  He is so special and adds such a fun element to our family.

Nap Time...for Daddy

The intent was to get Abby to sleep but I'm pretty sure daddy needed the nap the more at this point anyway.  Love Abby's little mischievous face.

Black Mail?

The problem with trying to blackmail Emily is that even when she's making a goofy face, she's still gorgeous so it doesn't work.  We did take some "normal" pictures but this one makes me smile. Emily is a one of a kind friend and knows when she is needed without having to come out and say anything.  It is so rewarding and special to have a friend that can love you and your family unconditionally and that is what I have found in my Emily.

Adam

Love my little buddy, Adam! He's such a riot and makes me giggle.  I can't get enough of his smooches or scowls.

Abby's Blessing

Matt blessed Abby last Sunday and it was beautiful.  It was quite different blessing a baby here in Utah with so many around that were able to attend.  We had great support from both our family and friends and after the blessing we had a nice little brunch at my parents' house.  It was a lot of fun and turned out to be such a wonderful day.  I wish I would have taken more pictures from her special day but we spent more of our time mingling and eating.  Thanks again to everyone that came out! It is sometimes hard enough to get to 9 o'clock church on time when it's down the street so the fact that so many drove close to an hour to make it early was very sweet. 

Papa is the only person that has been able to be at all of our kids' blessings because of how everything has worked out with timing and distance of living away.

Cole is so good with kids! I remember when Sienna was born and Cole was only two, he already took such interest in her and was always so sweet.  He is always chasing Tanner around and playing with him and still loves babies.  Cole is my special little buddy and I love being able to see him so often.

I was able to hurry and steal a picture of Cole, Max and Gracie with Abby on their way out.  There is no use arguing about it, I have the best nieces and nephews around!  It was so much fun having the three boys on Matt's side together too. They're so hilarious and fun to watch when they get together.  Of course, I missed the chance to get a picture of them. 

Daddy and Abby

Conference & Cars

Playing with cars while listening to conference.  Wish I got a picture before T went down for a nap.

Helping Grandma

 Tanner LOVES Grandma and Grandpa and is often their little shadow, following them wherever they might go.  Earlier this week, he was able to help Grandma build a Halloween tree.  He gets so excited about the simplest things and bounces around full of joy.

Spoiler

These are the outfits that I finally decided on for our family pictures.  I cannot wait to get the official pictures back.  I am so excited to have some updated family pictures with all of us in them. 

I love our happy little girl! 

Goofing around before we headed up the canyon.

 

Tanner was exhausted and about fell asleep in the middle of the kitchen floor.  

Goodbye Training Wheels

These are my favorite pictures from Sienna learning to ride her bike.  They make me laugh.  It only took two afternoons of working with her before she took off on her own.  We're still working on turning and stopping but she has done great.  Matt worked with her about a month ago and then went out of town for a couple days so I took her out and she picked it up instantly.  She was so happy to surprise Matt when he got home that she could ride unassisted.