Avery is 3!!!

Happy Birthday, baby girl! I guess that you are not technically my baby anymore, but in my heart you still are.




What a bright shining light you are in our home. You are constantly making us laugh at your funny actions and comments! You make our lives very happy.





You are the biggest girly-girl. You don't like to watch "boy" movies, just "girl" movies. Anything with a princess, a care bear, or Strawberry Shortcake. You love to play dress up. Especially, the beautiful dresses and high heels.




You are OBSESSED with babies. And, unfortunately, any of my friends or family with babies will back me up on that! You love your dolls and play with them every day, possibly every hour. I have watched you watch moms with their babies and then imitate their actions with your dolls. You are going to be the best little mother!





You love being with the big kids so much, especially Easton and Paisley. You love to play with them and do what they do. You copy their actions all the time. (good and bad) You love to hang out with their friends, too. Especially Rece, Riley, and our cousin, Stockton. You just think they are the coolest people! :)




You are my little buddy. I love hanging out with you while Easton and Paisley are at school. You are usually a good shopper and enjoy it. (A girl after my own heart!) I am so glad that I have you to keep me from being lonely.





You are very concerned about people and their feelings. You always notice when I am sad, and when I am happy for that matter. You know when I need a hug, kiss, or a smile. You are the first to bring someone a blanket or anything else that you sense they may need. You show very real concern for us. I love that about you.





You truly are my sunshine! You brighten each and every day. I love that you wake up happy 99% of the time. Always with a smile!




The past 3 years with you in our life have been wonderful! I hope that you enjoy each moment of the next year. I love you so much! Happy Birthday, sweet girl!

Easton's Baptism

Wow! I really can't believe I am about to post about Easton's baptism. Crazy! Do I REALLY have an 8-year old already? How did that happen? Where has the time gone?!?!

But, yes. That is what this blog is about. And, what a great day it was!

We bought Easton a suit for the special day. He looked so so handsome! What a little man!





Of course, Avery needed in on the action!

He was really excited about his new suit and it was very obvious that he felt very "cool" in it! :)

We had so many family members come to support Easton. Dave's parents and all 4 siblings and their families were there. My parents, grandparents, aunt and uncle and family, cousin and family, and my brothers and their families were there. It was awesome to have everyone there in one place! We felt very loved!




We had the program and then they released our ward to go to the baptismal font. There were 3 children being baptized from our ward. About half the audience got up for our ward! There was no way that we could have all fit in that room. So, our family all stayed in the hall and waited for the other 2 baptisms. It was kind of nice to just have our family in there for his baptism. We almost filled the room!

When Dave pulled Easton out of the water, Easton wiped his face and said, "Not cool!" I was a little surprised at that response! :) But, he told me later that he didn't think his dad was going to hold him under water for so long. He really was only under for a second or so, but to him it felt much longer, I guess! Silly boy.

While we were waiting in the room for the confirmation, Avery, Paisley, and my cute little niece, Addison, pretended to give talks at the podium.




It was all fun and cute until Addison fell off and got hurt. Then the game ended! :)

Thank you to all our family for supporting us. I know that with so many little ones in the family, it is not the easiest thing to get the family all dressed up and to the church on a Saturday morning. But, I was so grateful for each person who came. I am so thankful for a big close family. I love you all very much!!



I am so proud of my little boy! I am so proud of his choice to be baptized and for his small but honest and pure testimony. He has the biggest heart. I just know that he is going to do a lot of good in his life. I love you, Easton, so much!

Avery, my girly-girl

I haven't posted much about Avery lately with everything else that has been going on. But, since she is turning 3 next week, I am sure there will be a few posts dedicated to our sweet little girl.

But, I just wanted to post a conversation I had with her, for my memory's sake.

I was doing her hair curly a couple days ago, so, I was adding a bunch of gel to her wet hair.

Avery: I don't like gel.

Me: Why? Gel makes your hair pretty!

Avery: Ooohhhh! (giggling, obviously very happy!) I like gel!

My little girl is SUCH a girl! I love it! :) She already loves to be "pretty"!

Girls Trip!!

Last week, my friend, Christy, invited Paisley and I to go on a girls' trip with her and her two little girls. Their family had a couple days planned to go up to Targhee skiing. Her husband ended up not being able to go, so Paisley and I benefited from his loss! :)

We left Monday afternoon to go up to the ski resort. That night we took the girls swimming. They have a heated pool and a hot tub. It is a fun time FREEZING in the cold air and then getting into warm water! The girls had so much fun! :)




I did get in the pool part, but not for long. I am a lover of HOT water and it just wasn't hot enough. I did, however, really enjoy the hot tub.

Right next to the hot tub was a HUGE mound of snow that they had piled up.



The girls decided it would be fun to go sit on it and then get back in. Paisley ended up sitting once for like 17 seconds. Brrr!!

That night we all hung out, watched movies, and ate way too many snacks. The girls went to sleep around 10 or so. Christy and I finally went to bed around midnight. But, as girls do, we stayed up talking a few hours longer. I don't know what time we went to sleep, but it was too late. We were definitely feeling it that morning when the girls got up around 7 a.m.!

I have never skiied in my life, and honestly don't really have a desire to start. So, Paisley and I just hung around the lodge while Christy and her girls skiied.

We got snacks from the cafeteria:




Paisley watched a movie while I read:



We got hot chocolate and watched the skiiers:




We kept busy. I helped a little with Christy's girls and bathroom breaks, etc. We all ate lunch together and then Christy's oldest daughter was so sweet to let Paisley use her skiis and boot and go try it out. So, Pailey got all geared up...



And hit the slopes: (Please forgive the poor quality of the photos!)





It was very nice that she got a private lesson from Christy for 45 minutes or so! She did really well. They have a "magic carpet" at the bottom of the beginner's hill to bring you back to the top. She loved that:




Of course there were times that she fell: (but with a smile!)



She got up:



And was off again!



Here she is at the end of her lesson, going all by herself.



She did so great! I was proud of her. She had so much fun and talked about it for quite a while later.

The girls were exhausted once we got to the car to go home. They all 3 slept most the way. (I wish I had taken a picture!)

What a fun, fun trip! I love to be able to get away for the night. I am so grateful to my mom and Dave's mom for helping us with Easton and Avery. I missed them. But, it is really a great experience to have so much alone time with one child. I know Paisley had the greatest time. (She told me that over and over.) And, I know that she felt special having me all to herself. I loved it. Thanks Christy!!

Another Birthday Week...

Most of Easton's birthday week is over. We celebrated on his actual birthday, he had his friend party on Friday, and my family celebrated his birthday on Saturday. We still will do a party with Dave's family, but that will be in 2 weeks.

On his actual birthday he woke up to a decorated room. (Okay, Dave and I did it late at night, so it isn't great. But, Easton sure enjoyed it!)



Then we had waffles for breakfast. (A BIG treat in our house. We usually eat cereal.)



And, then a few presesnts before school:



That night, Dave was able to get off early so that we could all go out for dinner. We took the kids to Red Robin. It was a really fun dinner. Especially because they came and sang to him. He loved that they yelled to the whole restaurant that he was having his 8th birthday.

We had been trying to decide what to do for his friend party this year. We have always taken him and his friends somewhere fun for the party in the past. We have done a indoor play place, go-carts, and swimming. This year we wanted to do something a little more low-key (and who am I kidding, something cheaper). They are starting to get a little old for musical chairs type games. So, Dave suggested we do a video game party. I loved the idea. Cheap, easy, and what all little boys love to do.

We made a little "arcade" in our family room. We had 3 T.V.s that had 3 different games systems hooked up. It worked out that there were 6 boys. So, 2 got to play on each TV. I would let them play 15 minutes or so and then they would switch to a different TV.






It turned out to be a great party. All the boys seemed to have a great time. Plus, Dave had to work through the whole party, so it was fairly easy for me to manage by myself. We had pizza and brownies...



And, of course, more presents...




Easton said it was the most fun birthday party he has had. (Of course, the one that was by far the cheapest was the favorite!) :)

Saturday night we had all of my family over for cake and ice cream. We also celebrated my little cousin, Jackson's, birthday that night as well.



We had 13 kids running and playing and a bunch of adults. Crazy, but so fun. I love when we can all get together and just talk and visit. Great, great times!

My mom and dad gave Easton a book of 3D pictures. It came with 3D glasses. It is a really cool book. But, I just had to add this picture of my dad's younger brother, Chad looking at the book...



Too funny!

We had such a fun week! I love birthdays!

Happy Birthday, Easton!

Dear Easton,

It really does seem like yesterday that you were born. My first little baby. It was completely love at first sight! I was so inexperienced and new at being a mother. Thank you for being my guinea pig baby!


1st Birthday

It has been an absolute joy to be your mother. You are such a funny, loving, crazy little boy. You have definitely kept me on my toes and wondering what would come next. I remember you never being afraid, just willing to do and try anything.


2nd Birthday

You have always been such a smart little boy. You could speak very well, very early. You knew how to spell your name at 2 and sing your ABCs. You had a whole Thomas the Train book memorized and would "read" it to us. You constantly amaze us!


3rd Birthday

Sports have come very easy for you. It has been so fun watching you play and learn and grow to love playing sports. We are so excited for many more years to come.


4th Birthday


It has been so much fun to watch you with Paisley. You have loved her from the day you met her. You are such great friends. You seem to feel most comfortable with her by your side.


5th Birthday


You have had a very special relationship with Avery, also. You are her protector. You are very aware of her and her needs. You love to kiss her chubby cheeks! She loves you so much.


6th Birthday

I just can't believe that you can possibly be 8 years old today! Where has the time gone? I hope that the time starts to slow down because it has gone too fast.


7th Birthday

Thank you for being my son. Thank you for loving your sisters so completely. Thank you for making us laugh daily. Thank you for loving life the way that you do. Thank you for letting me be your mother. I love you more than you will EVER know.


8th Birthday


Happy Birthday, Son!

Love,

Mom