My baby girl

Just wanted to post a couple of cute pictures of my baby. Okay, she's not really a baby anymore, but she is MY baby still.




She was being so funny this morning. I had to get the camera out and I ended up taking a ton of pictures. She is such a busy body that she was doing something new every two seconds.




She has started a funny thing. When she sees a picture of a baby or something cute in a book, she says, "Ahhh" and cups her little hands around the picture. It is like she is trying to hold it. Soooo cute! So, that is what started the little photo session. I really wanted to get a picture of that. But, of course, once the camera was out, she wanted nothing to do with that little trick. But, I did get some cute ones. Enjoy!


Looking at her cute little self in the mirror



Anyone who has spent anytime with Avery knows that she is a GREAT climber!!


She loves to have her neck kissed. This is her showing me where to kiss! Love that!


And, of course, no amount of play time with a little girl would be complete without a litte DRAMA!!

Happy Birthday,Dad!

I just wanted to wish my dad a happy birthday! It is always been fun for me to have a birthday so close to his. It is fun to celebrate together.

I have always felt a special closeness with my dad. He is such a great guy and I enjoy being with him so much. To me he is the smartest, greatest man. To me he can do no wrong. I know I have put him on a pedestal in my mind, but I hope that when Avery and Paisley are older, they hold Dave on the same pedestal. It is a daddy-daughter relationship, and it is truly special.

I just wanted to write some of my favorite things about my dad.

1. He is really funny. He doesn't necessarily come across as a "clown" but he has a really fun sense of humor. I love it when he laughs.

2. He is really smart. I really admire him in his schooling. He and my mom got married right out of high school. So, he had to immediately support a family and wasn't able to go to college right away. He earned his degree slowly, but surely. He had to work and go to school and be a father and husband and hold church callings. He finally graduated when I was a sophmore or junior in high school. He is now a semester away from his master's degree. He has earned that while being the bishop in his ward and working full time. Education is very important to him and he has been very committed to it, despite the not so optimal circumstances that he has had to receive it. And, I must add that through college he has not received more than a couple B's, with the rest A's. He has worked hard and I am so proud of him!

3. He is very competetive. He tries to hide this about himself sometimes. It is really funny for me to play games with him. He likes to play while he is winning. But, if he is losing, he just becomes really quiet. It is funny to watch. He probably won't admit it, but he HATES to lose. He never says anything, but I can just tell from his body language. I love it! It makes me laugh! It is fun to beat him! :)

4. He loves his family. He really loves my mother. I can see that with the way that he looks at her. I have really enjoyed having them as examples to me as I grew up. I know that he loves my brothers and I very much. We can feel that.



5. He loves politics. He is a very conservative man. He will tell anyone that. He has very strong political views. I admire him for his interest. I don't follow the news or politics, so I really enjoy talking to him to get the info. I really look to him for information.

6. He loves his grandchildren. I love to see him interact with my kids. He is such a sweet and gentle grandpa. They love him very much. He and my mom are very good about showing support for the things they do. They attend most of the kids's games and school events, even when it has meant that he take time off work. I am thankful for that.



7. He is very giving of his time. Like I said, he was a bishop for over 5 years. So, he knows the meaning of service. But, within our family, he is always there for us. He has helped us through every move we've had, my brother's and I's moves. When we were building our house, he and my mom helped us with laying our tile. We honestly couldn't have done it without him. He helped us many, many hours. He has done many more things over the years for us, and we know he is always there when we need him.

8. He loves to cook. We call him Betty Crocker. He is a really good cook, and he isn't afraid to experiment. He loves to can, jams and things like that. If there is any baking going on at my parents' house, it is him. One night recently we invited him over to play games, and he said that he couldn't because he had some bread rising. ;) I love that about him.

9. He has a strong testimony. I have always looked up to him for his faith in the gosple and his example. He has faithfully served in many callings. I love to hear him speak in church and hear his testimony. It strengthens mine.

10. I love him for being my dad. I love that I am his only "little girl." (Even though I always wanted a sister!) I love that we are friends. I love him for being such an attentive father to me growing up. We had our differences often when I was a teenager. We had some knock down, drag out arguments about dating and things. But, as a mother now, I can look back and realize it was all for my good. He always wanted the best for me. I will have the same rules for my children. I love that everytime I went somewhere he would say, "Remember who you are, and act accordingly." I love that when we would have an argument, many times he would leave me heart-felt letters in the morning. I still have all of them.



I really love you, dad. Thank you for everything you have taught me and done for me. You are the best and I hope you have a great birthday!

Happy 30th Birthday to ME!!

Well, it is official! I am not in my 20's anymore! Today is my 30th birthday. 30 always seemed so far away, yet here I sit, a 30 year old woman! It is hard to believe.

I was chatting with a friend of mine that I have known since 6th grade today. We were saying that we don't feel any older than we did in high school. That is a crazy thing. My mind feels the same as I did at 18. Obviously I know a lot more and have more experience. Still, my mind feels the same. But, when I look at my life, with Easton being 7, and our next anniversary being #9, I realize that I am definately getting older, even if my mind is the same!

The past 30 years have treated me well. I had a great childhood with a loving family. I have wonderful parents, and two great brothers. I was really blessed to grow up with really great friends who I still keep in contact with today. We really helped each other to stay on the straight and narrow and I am so grateful they are my friends. I met a wonderful man loves me and takes care of me. And, together we have our greatest blessings, our 3 beautiful children. I was thinking today that I am pretty much where I thought I would be in life at age 30. I just can't believe I am here already! :)

So, on with the day's activities. Dave took the day off to spend with me. I was so grateful for that. He is really busy at work getting ready to start a training class, but he knew that it would really mean a lot to me for him to be home. We got the kids off to school and then left. I knew I didn't want to stay home all day because that would be a "normal" day and I didn't want "normal". We went to IHOP for breakfast. Then we went and hung out at the mall. My grandparents had already given me some birthday money and so I found a winter coat on clearance for that exact amount. I had been wanting a new coat for a while. We also bought the girls some Easter shoes to match their dresses at the BOGO sale at Payless. So cute!

After the mall we went to go pick up Paisley from preschool. Then, we went to do the most fun part, the DMV! :) My license expired today and so I took advantage of the fact that Dave was with me and I went and renewed that. Then we went to lunch at Red Robin with the girls.

Tonight my parents took us to dinner at Pizza Hut (Paisley's choice). It was good and fun to be with them. Thanks for dinner, mom and dad! They were joking that it is harder for them to know they have a child who is 30 than to actually be the one turning 30. :)

That finished up my birthday. I know, it seems like all we did was eat! :) But, what better way to spend the day, right? :) (And that is why I am in the biggest loser competition!) :) All I asked Dave for was some perfume and he delivered. He bought me some perfume, but I felt bad because I didn't really like the smell. So, we took it back and they let us exchange it. So, now I have some that I really like and am very excited! It is Live by J Lo.



Thanks, Dave!

I had a really nice birthday. The kids each told me several times "Happy Birthday." Paisley told everyone in her class and so her teacher came and wished me a happy birthday. Easton said he told all his friends. They were pretty excited for me. Paisley gave me 3 paintings she had made in school, one being a portrait of me, and $0.41 and Easton gave me a Star Wars bracelet and $0.36. :) They were so proud of their presents and I was really thankful for their sweet gestures.

Thank you for everyone who called or emailed a happy birthday message. I truly had a great day and really felt special. It is good to have a day devoted to me once a year! :) It feels good! I am a happy girl tonight.

Okay, so she wasn't a child genius yesterday! :)

In my last post I wrote that Avery learned how to climb out of her crib, open a door, and unlock a door all in 24 hours. Okay, I learned last night that that is not exactly true.

I was relaying that story to my parents last night and Dave admitted that he had taken our little key for our inside doors and unlocked her door yesterday morning. He said that he kept hearing her trying to get out. I know, it sounds kind of sad to hear that. But, honestly, from my perspective, I just wanted her to be in bed until the other two got up. It wouldn't have been too long. She could play for a for a few minutes. But, daddy felt sorry for her.

I guarantee he wouldn't have felt as sorry for her if he was the one that had the chance to sleep in yesterday!! :)

She did learn the climbing and the opening doors in 24 hours, though. One great thing...she hasn't realized that she can do that before she goes to sleep. When I lay her down for nap or bedtime she goes right to sleep. She just climbs out when she is done. I can't wait for the day she realizes she can do it when I first lay her down. Should make for some fun times!!!

(I typed way too soon! Today about 2 seconds after I layed her down for her nap she was right back out again! So I swatted her bum and got after her a bit and then she went to sleep. Little turkey!!!

The end has come...

Well, it happened. I was praying that it wouldn't, hoping that it wouldn't, knowing that for my sanity, it BETTER not happen...but it did. Too soon, much too soon! It never happened with Easton and Paisley. I am just not ready...

Avery learned to climb out of her crib!!! AAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Not only that, but all in one day, she learned to crawl out of her bed, open her door, AND unlock her door!! She's not even two yet!!

Yesterday I was busy trying to get ready for church. I heard her talking in her crib and knew I had a couple more minutes before she would be really mad, to finish getting myself ready. All of a sudden, here she comes, all smiles, into my room! The same thing happened after her nap.

This morning she came running into Dave and I's room at 7:30, we weren't up yet and neither was Easton and Paisley. So, I put her back in bed and shut her door, thinking she wouldn't be able to get out. (I mean, come on, no school today, can't I sleep in til 8:00????) Pretty soon I hear commotion in the bathroom, there she was again! So, I put her back in bed, I want her to know this isn't okay, and this time locked her door. I knew she would probably get out of her crib, but definitely not her door. She could just play for a bit til Easton and Paisley got up and I was forced out of bed. :)

NOPE! Here she came, all smiles AGAIN, running into my room about 15 minuted later. WHAT??? The girl figured out the lock?!?!? So, the end has come. No more "extra minutes" til I have to get her up. She now chooses when she gets up. Won't this be fun? A tornado who gets to choose when her destruction begins.

I liked it when I got to choose.

Thank you, hon!

I got a little surprise on my doorstep today! I was really excited! I really love to get flowers, at least once or twice a year. Dave is really good about getting me flowers for Valentine's. It sure makes my day when I know that he is thinking of me and surprises me! So fun!



Paisley was about as excited as I was. She saw how many flowers were there and asked if she could have one. So, I let her pick which one and we put it in a little vase for her. She loves it! She wanted me to make sure that I added in here that it is her "first flower ever!" Glad I could help you out with that! :)



Thank you, honey! I love you very much! Thank you for the wonderful surprise!

Birthday Festivities!

I am sure that this happens in a lot of houses, but at our house, we have just finished up "birthday week"! For those of you who don't know what that is, let me tell you

One person's birthday + 4 parties (spread out over 8 days) = Birthday Week :)

It has been lots of fun, though!

Two Saturdays ago we got together with my side of the family at my uncle's house to celebrate Easton's and their little boy, Jackson's birthdays. We had cake and ice cream, cheesecake, and then for games later, lots of snacks! (Yea, not a good night for the Biggest Loser contest!) :)


Easton and Jackson blowing out their candles



We played a few rousing games of the Curse of the Wolfen, our new family favorite. We didn't leave until after midnight, all 3 kids up. So, that was a little crazy, but sooo fun! Easton got a lot of nice presents, thanks everyone!


In between games of Wolfen

Tuesday was his actual birthday. Monday night, Dave and I went down and decorated his room with balloons and streamers while he slept. We had never done that, but now will probable make it a tradition. Easton thought that was sooo cool! Tuesday morning I made pancakes for breakfast, something I only do on very special occasions on school mornings.


Birthday morning opening a present

Then, Dave went to eat lunch with Easton at his school, and surprised him with a Happy Meal! That was a big hit. He was already excited to eat with dad, but to throw McDonald's on top...spectacular! That afternoon I took treats in to his class. That night we let him pick where he wanted to go to dinner. He picked a place where they can play and play video games, of course. We invited my parents to come. We just had a small little party with cake and ice cream. I really think he loved his birthday. I really wanted to make it special, and I think we did!


Blowing out the candles on his birthday

Saturday was his friend party. I gave him a few options to choose, and he chose swimming. So, we invited 9 little boys, and I let Paisley invite 1 little girl, and had a great time. One boy couldn't come, so we had a total of 11 kids to watch as they swam. I will admit, it was a little stressful and scary. Every 2 minutes I was counting, "1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10, where's 11??? Okay, there he is, we're good!" :) The kids had so much fun! We let them swim for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, though they could have swam much longer. (Wouldn't you know it, I didn't take ONE picture during swimming!! I was too busy counting, I guess!)

Then we went in to a little room for cupcakes, punch, and presents. That was a lot of fun. I did get some pictures of that...






Thanks for those who trusted us to watch your children while they swam! :) Easton had a lot of fun, I hope all the rest of the kids did, as well!


Our final party was Sunday with Dave's side of the family. We also celebrated my birthday, which will be coming up, my niece, Marissa's 15th birthday, and my nephew Britton's 1st birthday. We had dinner together and then treats. My sister-in-law bought YUMMY cupcakes from a local cupcake shop. There were a bunch of different flavors, sooo rich and good! (Oh yea, another bad night for the diet!)


They don't look too fattening, do they????



It was a lot of fun! Unfortunately, Dave was feeling sick that night and wasn't able to come. Thanks everyone for all the presents, Easton was a spoiled boy!

As you can see we had a very eventful week! I am so thankful that so many people love this little boy like we do! It is the greatest thing to see your child smile, and the smiles were plentiful this week!

Happy Birthday to my little man!

Today is Easton's 7th birthday! I can hardly believe it! I can't believe that 7 years ago my first little baby was born.

Easton was born on at 1:00 a.m. on a Sunday. I had been in labor all the previous Saturday, hoping to have him on 02-02-02. But, alas, a few complications later, and he came on 02-03-02. :) I ended up having him by C-section. He had some breathing complications and so he was in the NICU for 3 days. We were able to bring him home as normal, though.

He was such a good little baby. He slept through the night at just a few weeks old. (Of course, he slept right between Dave and I in our bed, that probably helped!) He ate anything that I gave him, every kind of baby food. He didn't crawl until he was 10 months, and didn't walk until 14 months, but he talked early and clearly. It is so cute to look back at home videos and listen to his sweet little voice talking so plainly at just 2 years old. One of his cutest "tricks" as a toddler was knowing all the actions for a referee's football calls. All Dave would say is, "touchdown", "holding", "incomplete pass", or many other calls and he would immediately do the action. It was sooo cute!

He was only 20 months old when Paisley was born, so still a baby himself. He was really good to her and they bonded very early. I am always so thankful that they are so close in age.

He loves sports. He has tried most sports that are available to him. He loves football the most, and wrestling second. He is such an aggressive boy that sports come pretty easy to him. He is currently in basketball and is doing very well.

Easton has a very soft heart. The other night Avery was very tired and cranky. We had let the kids have a little icecream before bed. Avery was not eating it when Dave was trying to feed her. He tried several times and finally gave up and took her out of her high chair. She started crying like someone had broke her heart. But, she had had several chances, and was mostly just really tired. Easton came into me with tears in his eyes and said that dad wouldn't give Avery any icecream. I told him that dad had tried and she wouldn't eat. So, he asked if he could go try to feed her. So, he did, and she ate it. It was just so sweet how much it hurt him to see his little sister so sad.

I love Easton so very much. He is such a fun-loving, sweet, playful, and smart little boy. I hope he knows how much Dave and I and Paisley and Avery love him.

Happy Birthday! You deserve nothing but the best! I love you, so much my little Easty!