February 2012

Valentine's day always brings back memories of making a valentine's box to take to school and filling tiny envelopes with candy. I love helping the kids get ready for this fun day at school!

Jace wanted and Angry Birds box, and Camden made an envelope in class for his cards.

At home we celebrated Valentine's Day by doing something fun. I planned out 14 days of Valentine's Day for Casey and the kids, it was the first 14 days of February. I made special mailboxes for the kids and gave them each a small treat, note or samll toy every day for 14 days. I did the same for Casey and gave him a surprise in his work bag for the same 14 days. It was really fun to spoil them all and let them know how loved they are.

I also made the kids a fun Valentine's Day breakfast on the 14th, complete with heart-shaped pancakes and pink milk. But I didn't take pictures of that, so I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

I do want to say that I am so glad I am surrounded by my cute family. On Valentine's Day it is fun to have an opportunity to show the kids and Casey, how much I love them. I hope they feel loved by me on Valentine's Day and every day!

Auto Expo

 Every Year in January, the Auto Expo comes to town. It used to be something Casey and I would go to for a night out. But the kids like to go too, so now it has become a fun family day for us.

The kids love to sit in the cars and act like they're driving

 They had mini Jeeps for the younger boys to drive

Jace like the trucks the best.

They also had a climbing wall which Camden tried and had a lot of fun with. Hopefully it's something we can go to again soon.

Camden Lost a Tooth

Last December Camden lost his first tooth. He was so excited and wasn't even nervous about Casey pulling the tooth.

Where Do They Come Up With This?

My kids always seem to say silly things that surprise me and make me laugh. Here are some of the more memorable quotes:

We were going somewhere in the car not long after Brynn was born and the kids were all trying to say hi to her. They were leaning in front of each other to try and get her attention. This of course turned into a fight over who got to say hi to her. Casey told the boys that Brynn would be in our fmaily forever and they didn't need to fight over her. Jace's response, ""But she won't be a baby forever and that's the only time I LIKE people!"

Another one from Jace. The first time he saw me breastfeeding Brynn he looked at me and said, " I did NOT do that!" I got to tell him, "Oh yes you did!"

While in Moab on our trip there last fall, we were able to stay for free in the condo of a friend of a friend. As we were driving through town, Jace saw a billboard for one of the Hotels there. "Mom, look, it says best deal in town!" I told him the place we were staying was a better deal that that because it was free. Plus we had a full kitchen, 3 bedrooms and washer and dryer. He rolled his eyes and said, "You guys are the cheapest parents I know."

Camden Talking with my Aunt Judy last year.
Judy: "Do you know how to say Hello in Japanese? Konichiwa"
Camden: Stares, thinking about it
Judy: Slowly, "Kon-i-chi-wa"
Camden Softly: "Gesundheit."

Alek: "Hey mom, remember when I was a little kid and said choo-choo train? Now I'm big and I just say train"

Alek was sitting by me on the couch about a month ago with his hands clasped, fingers alternating and interlocked. He studied his fingers for a few seconds before exclaimng, "It's like I have a THOUSAND fingers!"

Alek: "Hey Dad, it's not a good idea to ride a bike naked, right?"
 
 I know there were a few more. But I'll have to add them later, as I think of them.

Christmas 2011

We had a good Christmas this year despite a few setbacks.

I did have to work a graveyard shift on Christmas Eve. I've worked that shift before on Christmas, and it's really not bad. I get home in time to open presents with the kids in the morning and then I get some sleep in while they play with all of their new toys. And this year was supposed to go just like that. But instead, I came home to a sick baby who was having a hard time breathing due to croup. So much for that magical "baby's first Christmas" that we were hoping for. I stayed up with the boys while Casey tried to find an urgent care clinic that was open to get Brynn something to help her breathe better. While he was gone, I scavenged through our medicine box and found a dose of the med she needed. We just weren't sure how much to give her. I called the pediatrician and got the right dose and she started feeling better. Unfortunately, she was still pretty miserable. So we don't have many pictures of Brynn opening presents or participating in the Christmas festivities.

We also went to see the lights at temple square, and took the kids to see Santa in December

Family Pictures

Well I guess this post is pretty self explanatory (These were taken November 2011)

Halloween 2011

Halloween is always a fun holiday for the kids. I don't know what it is about taking a day to dress up as whatever you want to be; but it's always such a magical time.


Jace wanted to be a football player.

 Alek is GI Joe and Camden is a Power Ranger

 It was fun to look at baby girl costumes this year. I just couldn't pass up those tights for Brynn. She didn't seem too thrilled about being a ladybug, but it didn't bother her too much either. And even Casey dressed up. Ha ha!

 The kids helped with pumpkin carving this year which is an improvement over last year.

We even went to a pumpkin patch, and hay maze, and on a wagon ride with my sister and her kids. (Jace was at a golf tournament)

Moab

We usually don't plan much for the kids' fall break, but this year, because of a generous friend, we were able to go to Moab and do some hiking. The weather was perfect and the kids had so much fun!

Back to School Time

The end of summer is always a little bit bittersweet to me. I love all the fun of summertime, but there is something about fall and the first day of school that makes me so happy. And it's not being able to send my kids off to school for a few hours a day. I've always loved the excitement of a new school year! Here are my boys on their first day of school

I usually take pictures on the first day of school at home and then the kids get on the bus and they're on their way to school after that. But with Camden starting kindergarten, I had to go to the school and get a picture of him there. He was so excited, and I was excited for him. He was ready to be a kindergartener and his first day was great. he really loves his teacher; and Jace is excited about 3rd grade. I love that my kids love to learn and get excited about going to school.

Here are their school pictures from this year too:

Summer 2011

Here is a look at what the rest of our summer was like in 2010

As usual, lots and lots of swimming

 Camden and Alek played summer soccer

 Jace stayed busy with golf and had a tournament almost every week

 The kids wore their red, white and blue for the 4th of July

And our annual trip to Lava Hot Springs.

We also had a chance to get some hiking in. This is a hike we took to Donut Falls

Camden and Alek were constantly asking to go on hikes with Casey. This one was quite a climb!