Forgot One

I don't know how this is possible, but I forgot to add Jack's pictures in my last posting. So.. he now has an entire post to himself. I must admit, he is pretty handsome and he loves his food, feet, and anything else you give him. I can't believe he is six months old already. Time does fly when you are having fun.

I will say however, I don't let my child fall horizontally on his chair and leave him there like somebody else I know................................Kim. By the way, Go OBAMA. I hope the country stays in this mood for a long time. Even though I am not a big lover of Obama, I can't help but feel a little overwhelmed. I feel a little bad for George W, wanta reach out and hug him.

Updated Pictures

Okay........ I suck at this blogging thing.... I just decided. I still had a Christmas background and it is now the 20th of January. Oh well, tis the season to be jolly. I now have a background that will work through February... so I am good for awhile. I need help Che'.

Our holiday season was very hectic but a lot of fun. Christmas was very memorable this year. Ryen and Carter had so much fun and were so excited. Jack pretty much just ate the wrapping paper. The kids finally got a Wii. Carter is in hog heaven. He is pretty good not to play it to much though. Ryen of course received many dress up options as you will see. Mari Ann gave Ryen and Avery some Hula skirts and they both ran upstairs and got out of their clothes and put them on. Good thing they left their undies on.
We have had multiple tea parties and a lot of spilled water. I am thankful it was only water.

Christmas Day we were crazy enough to drive up to Idaho in a horrible snow storm. It stressed me out since I did most of the driving. I just wanted to get to Mom's house and not worry about risking all of our lives. We made it safely and had a lot of fun with the family. Brad's family decided to go the Boise for the holidays so we weren't able to see them on Christmas, but got to spend time with them a few days later. Luckily they were able to get home safely as well.

Carter spent a lot of time out to Gammy's and Pappy's over the holidays. He spent a lot of time with his cousin Chase. They had a really good time together. They dug this huge hole in the snow. I don't think you can really realize how large the hole is but Brad said it was huge.

And finally, over New Year's, we went to Idaho again since Mitch and Roz were finally getting hitched. So, that meant we spent Brad's 39th...... yes that is right..... 39th B-day in Idaho. I can't believe I am married to such an old man. Just kidding, husband, I know you are young in heart. I hope he enjoys the last of his 30s. YIKES!!!!!!!! Isn't he cute though?

Finally just a shout out to my Mom.... who never reads the blogs.... but hopefully she will get my message. I can't image having 9 children and preparing a Christmas for them all. Mom, thank you so much for making our Christmases so amazing. I truly look back through the years and remember those days like it was yesterday. I can't believe all the work you put into it to make sure we had the best of everything. I remember watching the slides in the front room of Charlie, David, Steve, and even some of Lynn when they were younger. I remember cracking nut shells and getting sick after eating too many nuts. I loved Charlie stew and miss it and him. I loved making houses out of the presents, and I mean lots of presents. I loved opening my presents and then retapping them so you wouldn't know. I loved being the youngest so I could walk into the living room before everyone else..... okay I was the youngest until Eric decided to come into our family. When we walked into the living room, it was so magical, as if Santa had just left the room. I loved everything about it, but most of all I loved spending time with my family. Nothing takes the place of that. Thanks for all your hard work. As my kids get older and I have more kids, I now realize what you went through and how expensive it must have been for you. You are an amazing lady..... and I am so thankful you came looking for me. I love you!!

The Not-so-Much Polar Express

So, I purchased tickets a month or so ago for the Polar Express, aka Heber Creeper. We have gone to the Polar Express for the last few years. The kids love it, especially when Santa gets on the train and gives them a bell. Well..... the weather did not cooperate with us this year. We had a horrible snow storm this morning. I was barely able to get Carter to his basketball game and up to the church for our Christmas party. I can't even imagine what the canyons were like. I didn't dare chance it. So... we had our own Polar Express party at our house.

I decided to give the kids their new pajamas that they would have gotten for the train ride. They loved them. Then, I decided to make hot chocolate and cookies.

Finally, we popped in the DVD of THE POLAR EXPRESS, and we all sat down and watched it together. It was pretty fun and much less stressful than us driving in horrible weather.

So I asked Carter if he was disappointed that we weren't able to go. He looked at me and said " Geez Mom, I got the play to basketball this morning and go the the breakfast Christmas Party. Then I went and played my soccer game. I went outside and played in the snow and you know what....... there is always next year." What a boy, that made me feel much better about the situation, even though I lost some money. Oh well.... we are all safe and sound.

See you next year, Polar Express!!!!!!!

Baptism Day

So.... the day finally came. After many hours of preparation and stress, the big day came. Carter was so excited about his baptism and that everyone was coming. He was a little disappointed when he found out Jenny's family wasn't coming, but he was excited about everyone else. He was pretty nervous about the whole thing, but acted tough.

Friday night, Brad's family arrived. Mitch had come from SLC and saw the horrible accident that took the lives of a young couple and a young friend of their family's. I knew these people and it saddened me once I found out who it was. Their two small children were in the vehicle with them but survived the accident. I can't even image the pain that their families are going there. I just remember Sheena and Tyler when Kathy was taken away. At least they still had one parent.

Anyway, on to happier things. Saturday we all got up bright and early and headed to Carter's basketball game. Pappy had shown Carter how to dribble with his left hand. He did pretty good. It amazed us all. We arrived back to our house about 9:15 and we had to be at the church at 10:30. I was a mess trying to get all the food ready for everyone, getting the kids dressed, and getting myself ready. We made it on time luckily.

Carter and Brad both got dressed in their white attire. They both looked very handsome. I am so proud of them both. I am so lucky to have a husband that is worthy to baptize my handsome son. I am so proud of Carter for making the decision to be baptized. I think it is a little scary, not quite understanding what you are about to do.

The baptism was very nice. Everything went off without any problems. We had tons of family there: Grandma and Doyle, Pappy and Gammy, Uncle Mitch, Aunt Jessie, Maddie, and Beau, Uncle Lynn, Aunt Lisa and David, Kim and Devin and Hallie (she is so cute by the way), Jennifer and Chris, Aunt Susan and Uncle Judd and Carlie, Che', Cortney and Neil and Mason and Avery, Aunt Mari Ann and Uncle Ron and Houston and Hailie, and John Russell and his two sons, Noah and Jackson. I don't think I missed anyone, if I did, I apologize.




Everyone came to the house and ate the food that I prepared. I think everything turned out okay. Nobody got sick over, at least that I know of. After, dinner I sat in one of our chairs and was totally exhausted. WHAT A DAY!!!!









Che and Kim, this picture is for you, you big nerds. Quit taking pictures of yourself with my camera.















Don't my two guys look very handsome?



















Anyway, I don't know why my pictures are all crazy, but oh well. I just wanted to tell everyone thank you for coming and it meant the world to Carter. I asked him if he knew how much he was loved. He just looked at me. I showed him the picture of everyone at his baptism. I told him that he was loved more than he will ever know. Brad and I have the most amazing families. Thanks for all your support.

Birthday Boy

Carter had his birthday party last week. I can't believe he is 8 years old already. Time does fly by, even when I don't think it has. It seems like just yesterday that I was in the hospital, hating life, trying to get this huge thing out of me, and then having to have a C-section since this baby didn't want to come out. I remember seeing him for the first time, and let me tell you, I didn't see him for long because I was out shortly after having him. He was so cute, but he didn't look like he was mine. He had dark skin and a lot of dark hair. I must say he was the handsome devil. I waited a long time to have him and I was so happy he was finally here. What an incredible event! I can say that now since I don't feel anymore pain.

We took Carter and 7 of his little buddies to go bowling and play laser tag. They had a lot of fun. Carter kept saying that this was his best birthday ever. I was glad to hear that since the day started off very stressful for me. I was planning on leaving work early so I would feel prepared for the event. Things came up and I wasn't able to leave until around 3:00 and his party was at 5:00. I had lots to still do and I became very overwhelmed AGAIN!! I am sick of feeling that way. Anyway, I surprisingly got everything done that I needed to.

Carter wanted a skateboarder birthday, so here is his cake. It was actually pretty good. He loved it.

Here are all the boys posing for a picture. Carter has a good bunch of friends. I was glad that they were all able to go. By the way, thanks again Mari Ann and Hailie for saving me. I was so happy to see you that night. Brad and I needed the extra help. You guys are amazing. We love you mucho grande.

So... Carter, I just want you to know that you are one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I am so lucky to be your Mom. You make me laugh at all your excitement that you have. I love watching you play sports, I love watching you play outside, I love watching and hearing you struggle at reading, I love listening to you wiz through your math timings, I love when you kiss your brother Jack, I love how you protect your sister, I love how you love the UTAH JAZZ, and I love that I am able to spend my life with you. Thanks for coming to our family. It probably is a struggle sometimes since I get a little stressed and take a lot out on you. I can always count on the " I love you Mom" when I drop you off at school even though the morning was a little rough. Nothing makes my day better. Do you know how much I love you? Multiply that by 100!

Halloween 2008

I am so proud of myself.... 3 posts in one night.



Paula, my daycare provider, takes all the little kids around town to trick or treat the stores. I tagged along this year. It was a lot of fun. Carter wouldn't dress up but by the time we were finished, he wished he would have. These aren't all of the kids Paula watches. There are her neices and nephews in there as well. Paula is amazing though, she probably could handle it all.

Ryen was a Patriot Cheerleader, Carter a Patriot Football Player, and Jack was the football.

After many tries, Brad gets a good shot. Ryen kept putting her pom poms in Carter's face, so we had to have her stand up one stair.

Do you think someone likes to get her picture taken?

This costume was pretty amazing considering that Brad and his sister Jenny made it from a fleece blanket. I am totally impressed. I could have never have done it.

Oops.... someone is sick and tired of the whole picture thing.

We went to the Pumpkin Walk and few days earlier and these pumpkins of the lions were on a display for Noah's Ark. Aren't they cool?

Here is Noah's Ark. I love the elephants' rear ends. I can't believe people are creative enough to do this..... not me.

Misc. pictures

Gotta love the Scenic Service Specialist onesie. Jack is into pulling at his feet. He yanks his socks off quite a bit. This is my favorite picture. They are modeling their Halloween PJs. Look at how funny Jack looks laying next to those two. He is so small.

Is this adorable or what? Jack loves to sleep with his arms wide open.

This is Ryen and her little friend Jordan. We took the Frontrunner to SLC, had dinner at the Gateway, went shopping, and then heading back home, well to Ogden, on the train. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved it. The train was very clean I must say.

Not sure what this picture is all about. Sometimes, Carter is a little strange. I think the string tied around his head was a little tight.