Siblings that look alike

I hear almost every day how much Abby looks like Tyler.  I agree.  

These two are of Tyler when he was a baby.  Tyler and Abby do look almost exactly alike!

This is Ella when she was little.  Her face looks different.

This is Abby.  We are so glad to have her!

Growing up

Almost daily I realize how fast my kids are growing up.  I notice things like

- Tyler putting on new size 8 pants pants and he looks awfully handsome

-Ella's hair growing long down her back

-Abby rolling over and over... and one day she will be crawling

-watching Tyler take care of his sisters

- Ella just grew a whole bunch and looks so tall

-Abby eats more and more regular food

-Tyler helping to make cookies and sloppy joes on his own

-Ella reading books so well

-Abby letting her voice be heard!

You know your kids are growing up when they have play dates and sit around reading books instead of making huge disasters all over the house with every toy and block we own. 

Abby loved watermelon so much!

We went to the park for a Family Home Evening the other day.  It was nice to (try) to fly a kite!

-slack line anyone- 

Tyler planned the family home evening lesson the other night.  He told us all about Joseph Smith and asked us questions.  He also had a skin tag he had removed.  He was so big.  even during the shot to numb the area.  I am so proud of how grown up he is!

Weekend Projects

We were so busy in the summer we didn't get too many projects done.  Then Darren got hit by that car and we didn't get much done... and now we have a two week window that he cant start races on his bike so I got him to start on projects here.  ITS SO NICE!!!

(I did sneak in a few trail runs and bike rides)

The kids made some fun Halloween decorations.  I am so glad it is warm so they can get paint all over outside.  We also had a neighbor build us a great picnic table.  A nice big one, that is extra wide.  So exciting.

Then the next weekend we dug up and tore out on garden box that never grows well because it doesn't get enough sun.  so why not get rid of it right.  Our friend Greg helped with the hard stuff since Darren shouldn't use his right shoulder much... but he does!

While we were at it, I told them they better just cut down the almost dead tree too.  you know... make one big project even bigger.  Things are happening here.  So exciting!

Tyler turns 8 years old!

 What a crazy year.  A new born, a kindergartener and to top it all off... an 8 year old getting baptized.
Tyler had 5 friends over the day before his birthday.  He loves food like I do, so he had lots of ideas of what he wanted to eat for his celebration.  Brownies with ice-cream here.
(Connar. Fisher. Kelton. Tyler. Payton. Ella)

Since D and I had just come home from 4 days in California the day before I opted for the super easy party.  Classic Fun center.  The kids loved it and it wasn't busy.  

On Tyler's real birthday we celebrated as a family.  I loved just doing "all things Tyler".   He wanted german pancakes with fruit on them for breakfast.  His Aunt Nellie surprised him and flew in for his baptism and so we took him tacos for lunch at school.  Then for dinner he wanted kung pow chicken.  He didn't know what this little red thing was so he ate it.  the whole thing.  It took me a while to believe him that his mouth was really burning up.  Until he pointed to the spit out portion of the pepper on his plate.  He had thought it was chicken.  For dessert he wanted crepes.  Then we played his favorite game.  Creationary with legos.  Can you tell what everyone built?

Tyler had a goal to read the whole Book of Mormon with his Dad before he was baptized.  I am so proud of him.  Now he is ready the Doctrine and Covenants.  He amazes me!

Nellie flew in very early on Friday.  First thing first... Ella wanted Nellie to do her hair.  Nellie knows how to make these kids feel special.  I couldn't have survived that day with out Ranell.  I ran over a "bump" in the road, which about did me in for the day.  But Ranell was there to save me.  She cooked and cooked and cleaned all day.  until we were all exhausted!  We had tickets to the Hale Center Theater that night for Tarzan.  It was amazing. 

Darren baptized Tyler on Saturday.  D's shoulder is still hurt but he managed to do it with one and a half arms.

We had a small family gathering after.  My parents were in Italy but we had a good time anyway.  I am so proud of Tyler.  He is such a smart kid.  He works hard and understands so much.  He has a drive to learn more and understand more.  But also cares so much about his little sisters.  

Marshall and Abby are two weeks apart.  I hope Abby doesn't pick on him for the rest of their lives!

Irvine California with Darren

Darren had a conference he needed to attend in Irvine California a few weeks ago.  We had purchased a ticket for me (and Abby) to go with him before his accident, it was a nice break.  

We flew in really early Saturday morning and drove to Balboa Island.  We walked around the whole island and looked at all the beautiful homes.  Got some yummy lunch and some taffy for the kids.  So relaxing.  so quiet and peaceful.  This boat made me happy.  Simple, Peaceful, happy.  Just how I need my life to be.  

We stopped at Newport Beach and enjoyed their long boardwalk.  

 Sunday we got to enjoy walking on the beach.  We started at Laguna Beach by Crystal Cove and walked for hours on the beach.  Just listening to the waves, talking sometimes, Abby slept on Darren's back ... but just had peace and quiet.  (Peace and Quiet was an on going theme of this trip, no kids to ask a million questions, or have to feed or cater too.... ) We drove up to Huntington Beach too. 

I loved all the exercise, it meant we could eat good food.  I had good company.  

On Monday Darren had to don his work clothes while Abby and I lounged around in our pjs and swimsuits.  He would visit us on his breaks and bring us a treat.  I napped, read a book, swam in the heated pool, and had lunch out every day.  Delightful!

Our last night there we drove back to Laguna Beach just go to Bonsai Bowl again.  The menu is simple and amazing.  Blended fruit and juice with oatmeal, acia seeds, honey, almonds, and fresh fruit... wonderful! We watched the sunset with Abby and enjoyed our dinner shakes. Great trip.  Great break.