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!

Are you kidding me???

(Jake did have a coat on, but he was really grumpy and cold so he came inside with me...then we wanted him in the picture. He refused to wear a coat again because he said it was wet and cold! His face shows how happy he is to be outside again.)

Did it really snow again? It is the last day of March and I hope this is the last of snow for several months! Bring on the sunshine...the swimming pool...shorts, flip flops and picnics at the park!

But until then I guess it made for a fun day for the kids! I made homeade hot chocolate (A new adventure with powdered milk...and it was delicious!), bread and spent time in doors. Jared was the lucky one to spend the time outside with the kiddos.

Can you believe how much snow keeps falling? What a cute snowman!

We love the Childrens Museum

Here we are off to another preschool field trip. I personally LOVE this place and I think the kids do too!

Jake and Isaac

Oh, what a pretty little flower.

What a tough guy!

*Well this is all I have from a long day at the museum...my battery died! Can you believe that...how unprepared was I! Well, good thing we have been here before. We came with my sisters and all their kids. Let's just say that going on a non-field trip day is nice because you have a little more room to move. There were about 15 or more other groups there. It was a joke! We were glad we didn't loose any of the millions of kids we brought

Our little entrepreneurs

I think I would buy something from them...how cute are they?

Here's to a great day (about 2 weeks ago)...we were all excited to see the SUN shine for the first time in weeks! YEAH. I'm sure it snowed the next day, but that's another story. Here are the events leading up to the kids afternoon adventures. Alayna and Jake LOVE the driveway. The LOVE having the garage open and being in the front yard. This isn't my favorite place to play since we don't live in a circle anymore. But thankfully they obey the rules (at least while I'm looking!)

Alayna had this great idea to sell something. So bless her heart, I was in the middle of making dinner so I wasn't fully invested in her idea. So she did this ALL on her own. She would run in and grab random different things. I watched her write "3 3 3" on a piece of paper, gather a stool, cups and water. I assumed a mess would be happening, but the clean up or supervision would have to happen at another time.

Jared came in and asked me..."Do you know what the kids are doing outside?" I answered no, he then told me I had to come and see and to bring the camera. So that is what I did. I was so happy to see that all of her ideas came together. It was adorable because she had three cups filled with water and the sign taped below said they were 3 cents. So cute.

Several minutes later as I continued cooking dinner she came inside discouraged. Then she said, "I have an idea...where's dad mom?" I asked why and she said, "I need Dad to come outside and use his LOUD voice to have our customers buy our water!" I found this very humorous considering Jared is known for having a loud voice around here.

Just waiting... hoping to have people buy their precious "Herriman tap water!"

Thanks to our SUPER nice neighbor who was in the middle of moving he humored the kids and bought some water. He stayed and chatted with them and enjoyed the water. Let's just say he SPOILED the kids... I had to sneak a picture through the window so I wouldn't scare away their customers.

Here is Alayna showing off her collection of pennies. As it was time for Alayna and Jake to come inside Alayna was all SMILES. She expressed, Mom this was the BEST day ever! I think this girl needed a good project, a goal and some SUNSHINE! Thanks to her idea this made for a great family home evening on tithing...I just love when life falls into good teaching moments.

St. Patricks Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day
I know I'm late but blogging just hasn't made it on my to do list for a few weeks! Ah. But don't you worry the holiday was celebrated and I was SUPER pleased with how it turned out this year.

Here is Caleb finding the treats at the end of the leprechaun trail.

You betcha green milk and Lucky Charms!

Oh, the three little green monkies.

Here is Alayna after celebrating a FUN St. Patrick's Day at Preschool. All in all it was a great day to have the kids have so much to be excited about. I know that some of you are not pleased with how much we celebrate this day, but come on join in the fun it really makes the grey clouds in March seem okay!

Cute Smiling Faces...

This is Tulip Head

This is Mr. Standing baby

The love of God

I find myself reading the Conference Ensigns over and over again. For many reasons I enjoy a quick read and an uplifting message. I find myself reading a column or two from one talk in the morning then finishing the talk later on at some point along the day. I find as I do this I recall thoughts and feelings and impressions regarding the gospel topic throughout the day. At night as I kneel in prayer I find myself either praying to have more of that trait or thanking the Lord for recognizing such blessings in my life. I know that the words of our living Prophet are true just like all the other leaders of the church. I can not begin to express to you the peace I feel when I do as I have been instructed. It's amazing how our faith and love in the Lord is questioned from one challenge to another.

This quote is one that I have come to love and cherish on so many levels over the past year or so. I am grateful I have taken the time to read from the Prophet's words in the Ensign, because it has given me comfort and peace.

"The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude." ~Joseph B. Wirthlin

I attended my cousins homecoming from his mission on Sunday and he read aloud this scripture that I greatly needed to hear...Doctrine & Covenants 6:22-23...

22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

During these challenges and trials in our life, whether it is our trial or simply on the sidelines I have learned this. That we have recieved a great gift, that of a witness from the Lord himself of so many truths. It is our responsibility to remember the witnesses He gives us even during those challenging times. I know that God lives and that He does love me. Because I have received of this witness through the Holy Ghost and I have felt peace. For this I am deeply grateful.

We're Back!

Let's just say we loved all two weeks of the sunshine in California! Do we really have to wait another few months to return to sunshine? I sure hope we get a little more sun here in Utah. The kids had a great time swimming, swimming and swimming some more! We played for one week in Indio just swimming and playing. Then the second week we went to Oceanside. Where we went to Disneyland for one day...thanks to volunteering we got a free day! I loved it even more because it was all free! YEAH. The next day we went to San Diego for some yummy lunch and enjoy La Jolla Beach. The next day we just played at the beach in Oceanside ALL DAY LONG. Alayna left the beach singing, "Fun, Fun, Fun, this is so FUN!" I questioned her what is more fun, Disneyland or the beach. She hesitated and said, "Mom I do like Disneyland...then went back to singing, the beach is so Fun, Fun, Fun!" I haven't finished uploading all the hundreds of pictures I took, but until I get to that I will blog a few more. Until then enjoy the blue sky, palm trees and swimming pictures!!! We are happy to be home but we really could have stayed a few more weeks.

Mr. Trouble, Jr.

I think it was about two years ago that I made a post entitled Mr. Trouble at that point I was referencing Jacob. This time it is Caleb's turn! Funny how all little kids experience all the same things. This particular morning I was stuck on the couch on my lap top needing to finish my Deals to Meals job...needless to say Jared was at work and the three monkies were doing what they do best...Needing my attention. So of course when I can't give it to them they try new things. Jared on his way out the door did the best he could to "baby proof" the house. He pulled our green chair in front of the entry way to keep the baby from crawling into the office, he shut our bedroom door, secured the stair gate and picked up everything off the floor. On his way out he said, "The only thing left for the baby to do is climb up the stairs!" So within 5 minutes of Caleb exhausting all of his other options in the front room he quickly made his way to the stairs. No more than one attempt he was up and away! I realized I needed to run for the camera to document this occasion! (Yes this is another messy face picture! I don't think I have taken one picture of him with his handsome clean face!)

Extended Family Home Evening

Our entire extended family decided to get together for a little FHE at the church. Something our family enjoys is playing volleyball at the church. So that is what we did. We had all the extended family gather together with dinner and some good ole volleyball. It was a delight to have so many family members there.

Here is Grandpa playing with Caleb. This is my dad's dad and he is 88 years old. He has always had such a love for all these little babies. I was able to catch on video Grandpa getting Caleb to giggle. It was a precious moment.

The Volleyball Players

Oh, and here is the engaged couple in action. I have a better picture of the two of them, but I thought this was cute. Kath and Duane finally recieved the temple papers to get married! Yeah!!! They are so perfect for each other and I can't think of any two better and deserving singles to have found each other. Prayers are answered and miracles are still happening! March 26th is their official sealing day. We couldn't be happier for them!

I can't resist sharing these adorable pictures of the little man. Not to mention and document that he has two teeth. He is also 9 months old. He is crawling EVERYWHERE, he pulls himself up to a standing position off of anything, we have had to lower his crib down to the "big boy" position. He enjoys eating real food. He started enjoying real things like, sandwiches, pieces of fruit, etc. way more than the mushy baby food. It makes life easy when I can just plop him in his high chair and he does his own thing. You know when he wants more because he will "smack" his lips together and look straight at you until he gets your attention. And when he is finished the hands go up and his head turns back and forth and his jaw is locked shut! As you can tell from the picture he is a normal baby...messy!

Here's to Success and Failure...

Early bed times and reading with my kids are the best part of the day! So these moments are "successes" around here! Cute kids huh! As some of you know I have been working a few nights a week (in my home) but it required my kids to go straight to bed which would always limit our "talking & reading" time. I happened to be on a walk with Alayna and I was telling her how I wouldn't have to do that anymore and she said, "Oh, fun mom that means we can just snuggle and talk and read books together...I know, I will set up a special blanket and all of us can just snuggle and read together!" I couldn't have been happier with her reaction. Each night she now says, "Mom can we talk?" You know that as a mother you can't ever resist a time when your kids just want to sit and talk with you. I just love this snuggly girl.

Then I think I have passed off the success of enjoying to bake with the little monkies. Thanks to our great neighbors who have been delivering truly the most heavenly sugar cookies this holiday season to us! YUM. (And I don't like sugarcookies or frosting...but let's just say they are DELICIOUS!) So we had to get the recipe and have friends over to help bake them. I love this picture because if you notice in the background there is Jake literally climbing on the table, feet up surfing through all the different cookie cutters! They were in heaven...let's just say clean up wasn't so heavenly but it did allow them to have hours of FUN!

Here's to the failure part of the day...I was baking Grady my bro-in-law some birthday cupcakes...He and I share the LOVE affair with German Chocolate Cake. So I was SO happy to volunteer to make it for him. When I didn't have a box cake I decided to get on my fav website, the food network of course and try out a recipe I once saw made. Let's just say the recipe appeard to good to be true. By the end of the cookie day, cleaning and making this cake I was completely DONE! At his party later that night I told him I would owe him a great cake and one with the heavenly coconut frosting! So much for trying...*I must admit though it wasn't the recipe that was wrong it was me...I realized that later!* So I guess I will try it again!!!

The next success was a bridal shower for my aunt. We had it on Saturday morning and it was SO much fun. I was just so happy to have all the family around to celebrate in her special upcoming day! Not to mention the muffins were a success! I just love it when recipes DO actually turn out.