update on my kids...

Tyler is not such a little kid anymore.  He is still getting up at 6:35 every morning to practice piano with me.  He loves to read chapter books,  I hear him laughing all the time as he reads.  He is doing very well in school.  He learns fast, but he also studies to get good grades and understand hard concepts.  The other day I tried to kiss him on the lips and he wasn't sure about that anymore.  So I gave him a big kiss on the cheek which was returned with a big hug!  He has written me several love notes lately, Telling me how much he loves me and loves to cuddle with me.  

He thought it was fun to go on a daddy date to the Jazz game.  He dressed up for Nerd Day at school.  

Ella loves her brother and sister so much.  She gets upset if I ever get mad at Tyler.  She feels like she needs to protect him from getting in trouble.  She loves to do things Tyler does.  She was a tumbler in a Circus skit at school the other day.  She entertains Abby so much.  I couldn't do Abby with out her.  Sometimes Abby gets hurt while Ella is entertaining her but for the most part she is wonderful!  Ella likes to read.  She loves to do art projects.   craft projects.  draw.    (make artistic messes!!!)

Abby is figuring out what she likes and doesn't like.  She smiles and laughs.  And she cries and hollers.  But we love her and there isn't a day that goes by where I don't thank the Lord for sending her to our families.  We are a better family because we have had to stretch and grow with our Abby around.

This video was taken when she could only scoot backwards.  We found her hiding in corners all the time.  She also loves our green smoothies.  She lets you know that she wants some! 

I am so grateful for my family.  So happy I have each and every one of them.  My husband is amazing. and my children are wonderful!

Thanksgiving 2013

It seems like I have so very little time with my little family when we are all together.  So I really love those days when its just us!  Thanksgiving morning we took the kids out riding to the pump park in Draper.  Lots of fun jumps and bumps.  Then we went riding ... about 3 or 4 miles as a family.  Darren got to pull Abby.  So nice!

Then we headed over to my parents to have a nice Thanksgiving dinner.  I have always thought thanksgiving was my favorite holiday.  The food and family and visiting cant be beat.  

Tyler played the piano for Grandpa.  He learned Grandpas favorite song... little drummer boy.

My sister jenny was there and played us some nice music on her new violin.  It was so peaceful just sitting there listening to her and see the sunshine streaming in.  

On Friday afternoon we went skiing at Alta.  It was the first time with Abby but she did great.  We had 8 kids (two of those were babies, 8 months old and 2 months old) and then 5 adults.  It was fantastic.  It was a magical day.  

We stopped to eat after and wow-- Abby is growing fast.  

These two have been friends for a long time.  Rob and Dalls.  I wonder if they imagined this day 20 years ago, when there were terrorizing the poor citizens of Logan!

Saturday we cheered Darren on on his last bike race in Ogden.  I am proud of him.  He had planned to be at the top of this race series, but because he was hit by that car in September he ..... well... he didn't come across last place, but close!  He loves it so thats good!

Fall has come and gone

My kids are growing so fast.  and time is going even faster!

We live in a beautiful place.  I love Utah so much.  

Chucky Cheese birthday party with cousin Orion Gardner

We spent one weekend outside cutting down a big tree in the back yard.  Only to find we had a family of owls living in our tree.  So for now, the tree is ugly and mostly cut down, but we didn't want to make the owl family homeless for winter.  

Visiting Chubbuck with Bella and kids

I had planned a trip to see my sister Jenny (jonnn) in November.  And it finally rolled around.  It was  great trip.  We had our little friend Bella with us for the trip.  Her parents will be "unavailable" for 1-10 years so her life is a little uncertain right now.  I have thought many time times how fun it would be to have a Bella and Ella.  

 We had a great time in Idaho.  Jonnn is so relaxed and just what we all needed.

Ella, Bella and Grace had a great time together.  Three girls.  All feeding of each other means lots and lots of girly things!

I was really excited to go up and see my sister who is in the Idaho State Civic Symphony.  I am so proud of her.  Lots of work.  Lots of practicing.  Lots of juggling kids around to make it to the performances, practices and violin lessons.  

 Uncle Eric  made sure we had time to wrestle.  He took us all to the movies and got us all popcorn.  My kids had a great time, And I know Belle left knowing that there is love in some homes.  And that father figures can be good people.

We continue to have Belle over, but our goal has been to especially have her over for FHE every week.  It helps us to never skip it, and we hope she can see how a family functions.  She has written me several love notes.  This was one of my favorites.