Happy Birthday Jake!

Really, how could we live with out this little man? Well it's simply not possible. His smile and personality is so contagious that we all want to be around him.

Funny man...

Happy kid...

Cheese ball... We love you our Jakey!

Happy Mothers Day!

Yes, you counted right...SEVEN...Who would have thought that I would have seven kids? Not me...but then again it would keep me on my toes. I hope every mother had a wonderful of a day as I did. Honestly I can say that it was one of my best yet. For some reason I was so sensitive to the spirit and the love that the Lord has for all of his children. Simply said it was a good day. I was even able to find some quiet time with all my children to write in my journal. I love those quiet moments! Let's just say my husband is amazing.

Happy Birthday Girl!

Can you believe our little girl is 5 years old! Here are a few of her birthday pictures. Enjoy!

Clothes People

Something funny that has turned into a habit is known as "clothes people" at our house.

Thankfully, this has become a good habit. It started out as a joke because Alayna was so detail oriented in having to lay out exactly every layer of her clothing each night. Well, her tradition has not only continued for over a year now but she has passed this silly thing on to Jake.

My favorite part is that the socks are hooked inside the shoes and the socks are always touching or inside the pants. Alayna is insistant on each layer being properly dressed while Jake LOVES to see his underware on top. Each night as they do this I always want to capture it on a picture so I won't forget how silly they are. Tonight I just ran downstairs to get it! They were so excited that I was taking pictures of their "clothes people!" So here is some advice if you are having a hard time getting your kids dressed in the morning...turn the clothes into people and all of a sudden they will want to do this every night!

More Womens Conferency at BYU!

Here are a few pictures from our day on Friday. I was able to recruit a few friends to come with me! On Thursday Emily and her mom were with me for a few classes which made it so fun to not be alone the whole day. But on Friday we were together all day.

This picture represents our tear stained faces and eyes from one of the best talks on Humanitarian Aid and Welfare services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was so emotional and I loved it!

We were also able to listen to Elder Oaks for the closing session. It was wonderful as well! Really, every class and discussion was so inspiring. I love it!

Campus was beautiful! I think spring time is just as breathtaking as the fall. I especially LOVE the spring because it means COLOR from trees and flowers.

These trees were BRIGHT purple and pink!

I just had to take a picture of the Y for Jake and Alayna. They LOVE BYU and so why not show them where I have been! Alayna was very interested in knowing why I was going back to school. I told her I was going to school to become a better Mommy. She said, "Mom can you take a picture of the desk you sit in?" I had to laugh because she was so intrigued with me sitting in a desk like she does at school. I sadly didn't sit in any desk...so I decided to take pictures of the beautiful campus and when it came time to show her them I said, "Alayna look at these beautiful trees it was so pretty..." She said, "Oh...um..where's the picture of the desk?" It was a funny thing for her to be so interested in and sadly I couldn't please her this time! But I told her all the wonderful things I learned. I have come to a decision that this is the best kind of "break" for mom's. We are away and spiritually fed from morning till night! Thanks for Emily for getting me hooked to these FUN outing!!!

Women's Conference

Does it really get any better than two days of an amazing Spirit that just fills your entire soul? I think not. To all those that need to plan in advance here is your warning...Come with me to Women's Conference! Sister Beck referenced her talk as an "Emergency Meeting" meaning that each time she meets to speak with woman she feels a great urgency to speak to the women about doing what we know to be right! She gave us very inspired suggestions and insight on how we truly can become women of God and understand exactly our role. I have loved the first day and I can't tell you how excited I am to wake up EARLY again tomorrow to return.

The Service theme this year is to Scatter Sunshine! I just LOVE the logo...I think I might have to use this for on of my enrichment meetings or something...I just love it. This year I took the challenge and decided to do some service while I was there. I was nervous at first, but I took some encouraging advice from Emily to pick up a service kit. So I did. I decided to pick crochet stockings. I will take a picture before I hand them back in but let's just say that the inspiration has come and I am nearly done!

Welcome Back to Utah

Well let's just say that we couldn't be happier to have Brian & Ashley back to Utah! I think the kids are just happy because they get presents! Really, they are spoiled for their birthdays from them. THANK YOU!

Here's to a story...So the night before I was out on the porch reading books with the kids as it was raining...we are determined to enjoy our covered deck more often this summer. Last summer it was a whirlwind of moving and a new baby so I'm ready to spend more hours reading out there with the kids. Anyways, so we were discussing how it was "Earth Day" tomorrow and Jake practically leaped out of my lap because he thought I said it was "His Birthday!" Now, if you know my kids or any kids for that matter they think their birthdays are the BEST days in the world. So as this little guy is standing there BEAMING with the best smile I had to sadly deflate his excitement and explain what Earth Day was. We spent more time using our senses and hearing and seeing and smelling things outside. So the next part of the story was when Jake woke up and saw presents from Ashley and Brian he was SUPER excited because once again he thought it was "His Birthday!"

Let's just say Alayna LOVES presents...and what better than a Barbie for her 5 year old birthday? And a princess no doubt! She LOVED her jump ropes with her cousins today...so Ashley and Brian know kids! Thanks again.

So on to the REAL reason why they came to visit! Ashley has graduated from BYU with her Masters in Public Health! You go girl!!! From a fellow Health Promotion major to another I couldn't be HAPPIER for YOU! I must admit I have lived vicariously through you sharing your theories, ideas and passion for health! You have worked so hard and I have admired you truly all along the way...(enough mush for ya???)

Here we are celebrating after the super fun BYU graduation...Oh, the stories we have to tell. After the graduation we were lucky to go to Tucano's...pretty much the BEST restaurant to eat in the world. YUM! The next day Ashley and I were able to go do some girl shopping...come on when a girl graduates and gets a REAL JOB she needs some new attire. We got some hip and new looks and some COLOR!! You look great Ash and I can't wait to see some pictures!!!

Sunday came and there's nothing Ashley and I enjoy doing more than cooking up some America's Test Kitchen recipes! We picked our favorites for the menu...Pizza Margarita and Lemon Meringue Pie!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM! Here is Jake and Brian helping juice the lemons...we just LOVED Jake's faces...He was discussing with Brian that he too was strong!

Alayna and Ashely are posing in their cute aprons.

Oh, how we are going to miss you!!!
Thanks for coming we just hope you don't make it a year! Good luck tomorrow at your new job. We sure love you guys!!

How cute are you??

I just wanted to point out how my little baby isn't so little any more...he's going to be almost one next month! I have noticed a HUGE change in his ability to communicate. Don't get me wrong he squeals and screams over EVERYTHING still but now I have realized he is starting to respond to questions I ask him. He was sick for a period of time a few weeks ago and he lost all the baby chub. So he's thinner again and just really so fun. I must admit my heart is soft for this little guy once again...I mean seriously look at those brown eyes!

Caleb is enjoying the cupcakes from Alayna's birthday party! Lucky kid...

A Classic Birthday Party

The first one. I have never been a fan of birthday parties. It's kinda like a baby shower to me. Not my favorite thing to invite people to come over and then require them to bring presents. So sadly my kids don't get this experience every year. We hold family birthday parties and they get a few presents from us and grandparents but other than that it's not a big deal. But when you turn 5 you get your first birthday party. Let's just say that when it came time for Alayna to run door to door and deliver the announcements it was worth every second. This little girl was on cloud 9. She was beaming with delight just thinking of the party. She was so thrilled to have ALL of her friends there. Let's just say her list was a little lengthy with friends, cousins and neighbors. Oh, well this girl doesn't get another one until she's 8. So I figure she had to have a real party!!!

Here is the classic game....dress up. You got it EVERY kid even the boys had a great time. They were in two teams. And each member had to race and dress as fast as they could with ALL the funny items in the baskets. It was GREAT fun. Really, I must admit the BOYS liked the game the most. It really was an all loved game. My mom said this was a personal favorite at our kid birthday parties.

You can't have a party without limbo, pin the tail on the donkey, birthday hat crafts, decorating cupcakes and then eating them. It really was SO fun for Alayna and she was spoiled by all her little friends. Thanks to all the moms who gave such fun gifts. This little girl was in heaven!

Good ole fun...

Here's to a walk down memory lane. Chuck E. Cheese...seriously is this a kids dream come true? I think so. What better than watching fake dancing birds...I can't believe I questioned the reality of them as a child...I remember wishing and hoping they were real! It's so fun to think that we are doing the same activity with my kids as I longed to do as a child too. Besides the sticky dirty hand feeling on all the rides I think the kids had a blast. I must admit I was impressed with their child security...wow...no one gets in or out of that place. They also had hand sanitizer all over...probably because there are potential germs? I think so!

Thanks to Bro-in-law Todd watching City Deals like a hawk we snagged a great coupon to come here. Let's just say the price tag attached to this place requires a coupon. But I guess to have smiles like this is makes it all worth it!

I think they are believers too? What do you think? I think Jake was so impressed by the rock and roll singing...

Alayna loved the million dollar cracker pizza too...Oh, we really had a good time. The cousins were in heaven. This was Alayna's first adventure with tokens. She was hooked...I think we will go again...we just might eat before we go! ha ha ha

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Alayna! She turned 5 Years Old on Sunday...let's just say it's been one non-stop party for this girl.

Here is her "dancing" Cinderella cake...She is meant to me leaning incase you were wondering...really I promise! Ok...so I made it wrong Who knew this barbie was extra long? Not me...Anyways, she didn't mind she thought it was my best cake yet. Little does she know it needed severe help!

A happy little brother wishing his big sister a Happy Birthday with a hug!

You got it! She is special today!! She has loved everything about it being her special day!!

Congrats!

How have I failed to post about such a wonderful day? My Aunt was married two weeks ago in the Provo Temple. I can't begin to share how wonderful it is to know that two deserving people found each other and now have companionship, love and a friend once again. Isn't she stunning...she looked AMAZING! I think I cried out of pure joy and love for them all day and the night before and especially when I prayed.

Even though it was a snow storm there were only smiles to be found. It was a wonderful testiment to the fact that the Lord is ALWAYS aware of our own individual circumstances...it just might take 12 years to answer our prayers. Their life stories remind me of the talk on cd by Michael S. Wilcox, Fourth Watch. I recommend it to anyone who needs a reminder about if the Lord is aware of them and their needs. I have listened to this several times and I have purchased it and given it away to so many. It's wonderful...anyways, Congrats!