Happy Father's Day!

It didn't take long for me to fall madly in love with Kurtis, he is a rather amazing man. I loved everything about him and that love grew to unmeasurable proportions when we had children. There is really nothing like seeing the man you love, the person you have chosen to spend your life with hold your child in their arms. The love he has for our children is so deep and he cherishes them with all his heart. He works so hard and sacrifices so much to give them such a great life. I couldn't have chosen a better husband and father to share this beautiful journey with. Thanks babe for everything. Happy Father's Day!

Friends Forever

Thanks to the awesomeness of Facebook I was able to reconnect with some of my childhood friends from Salt Lake last year. We hadn't seen each other in about 8 years, since Ty was just a baby. We have been wanting to get together for the last year or so but since I live here and one my friends, Vangie lives in Virginia that has proven to be tricky. Well last month we were finally able to. The kids and I met everyone up in West Jordan at my friend Jennifer's house (which is super gorgeous btw) and had a great time reminiscing and catching up. The last time the 4 of us got together there were only two kids between us and now that number has grown to 11, going on 12. The kids played and we looked through old pictures of our group together and can I just say I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. It was great seeing everyone and I am looking forward to our next get together.

We used to get our pictures taken together each year.
Here is a picture of us in I think 1994--- I have to say this is definitely one of the most awkward, hilarious pictures of me. With the braces, poofed bangs, and large amount of denim I was sporting, I simply have to share! LOL


Here we are 16 years later, recreating our ever so classic pose:



Here's another with a few of the kids:

Ice Cream Social

I love to plan parties, especially for my kids. I try to find a fun and creative theme for each of the kids' birthday parties and this year we decided to have an ice cream social for Kaitlyn's. She doesn't turn 6 until next week, but because of Kurt's schedule we did it a couple of weeks early. It was so much fun and I have decided that I prefer the parties with the more laid back approach. We toned it down a bit this year and concentrated on the main event, making our own ice cream sundaes. The kids were so excited that they got make their own delicious creations! I found a really cute ice cream cone pinata (btw super dangerous--but happy to report no injuries) and I think the funnest part was the decorations. Kaitlyn had a a lot of fun and I think we did a good job planning a special day for her. Thanks to everyone for spoiling her rotten, she was one satisfied birthday girl!!

It's hard to believe

It's hard to believe it has been 4 years today since my little brother died. It's hard to believe that I never get to see him get married or hold his first born. It's hard to believe that there will be no more holiday or birthday parties with his contagious smile present. I wish my kids could have known him, he was an incredible uncle. He was patient and kind, quiet but confident. He always had a joke he thought was much funnier than they really were and a story that always topped yours. I miss our comical debates and the pure silliness you found in things when you were with him. I miss being little and riding our bikes around the block and outdoor sleepovers on the trampoline. I just miss him. I have a picture of him I get to look out everyday and a heart full of memories and I am so grateful I got to have such a special person in my life. He taught me so much about tolerance and kindness and love. Losing someone you love so dearly really makes you appreciate life so much more. It's reality that we may not always have the ones we love at an arms reach. Tonight I hug my kids a little tighter because life is too short. Cameron I love you so much.

The 1st Day that really felt like spring!

I was so happy to finally have a warm (non windy) day. The weather has been crazy here and we were all so ready to spend sometime outside!! FINALLY:)

We bought the kids a 4 wheeler a few weeks back and today was the first day the actually got to ride it. They absolutely loved it, and I admit I thought it was pretty fun too. We spent most of the day soaking up the sun and just hanging out at our house and I am looking forward to many more days like this one:)
Here are some pictures of our fun day (sorry about the blurry spots, I guess I need to clean my lens!)

Ty and Kate having fun on the 4-wheeler

Overally Enthusiastic wearing his famouse "cheeser" smile!!


My big girl who is now riding her bike training wheel free!

Happy Kids :)

Look at that cute little face--This kid melts my heart!

Our Week In Review (aka: me rambling on:)

We had a great Easter weekend, we went to the egg hunts and a fun event Lin's had. We colored eggs, which could have went on for hours had there been more eggs. Jackson was not the least bit interested and I could see from his point of view how weird that activity must have looked! Easter night my best friend Kim and her kids came from Wyoming to stay with us for a few days. We hadn't seen each other for almost 2 years so it was great to see them. The boys picked up where they had left off like they had seen each other the day before. They have always had that kind of relationship. Devan and Ty have been friends since they were babies and have always had this amazing connection. The weather sucked the whole time they were here, but we still had a great time.




On Friday we took the kids to Cove Fort. We always enjoy going there, it's a really spiritual place and a great experience for kids to see just how good they have it. Tyler also needed to do that type of activity to work toward his wolf in scouts. Trust me we are working on that thing like crazy, he is so into it, it's adorable.

I officially got Jackson off the binky and bottle. It wasn't an easy task and in a way it kind of made me sad-it's just another right of passage-closer to getting out of the baby stage. It's funny how I just can't imagine myself without a baby, I guess maybe it's because I have had one non stop for 8 years. Anyways it's inevitable they grow up!

We're on the move again soon and I am not looking forward to it, my poor kids must feel like army brats. I am getting to be a pro at packing, but that's really the only good that has come from it. I want some stability for my kids and my own house again, but all in due time I guess. It seems I never know what the best decision is, I know they are better off and happier here, but I also know that it is important for us to be together as a family, actually it's the most important. I have prayed so much about it and I trust in my Heavenly Father that it will all work out. Well I guess I am done rambling for one night!!

BY THE WAY I AM OFFICIALLY A BLONDE AGAIN-WHAT DO YOU THINK?

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN

I CAME ACROSS THIS AND IT MADE ME SMILE, JUST THOUGHT I WOULD SHARE WITH ALL OF YOU MOTHERS!!

BIRTH ORDER OF CHILDREN
1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN
confirms your pregnancy.
2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.
3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.


Preparing for the Birth:
1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.
2nd baby: You don't bother because you remember that last
time, breathing didn't do a thing.
3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your eighth month.

The Layette:
1st baby: You pre-wash newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold
them neatly in the baby's little bureau.
2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard
only the ones with the darkest stains.
3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries:
1st baby: At the first sign of distress--a whimper,
a frown--you pick up the baby
2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten
to wake your firstborn.
3rd baby: You teach your three-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier:
1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until
you can go home and wash and boil it.
2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it
off with some juice from the baby's bottle.
3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering:
1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour,
whether they need it or not.
2nd baby: You change their diaper every two to three hours, if needed.
3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to
complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities:
1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing,
Baby Zoo, Baby Movies and Baby Story Hour.
2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.
3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaners.

Going Out:
1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter,
you call home five times.
2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to
leave a number where you can be reached.
3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees
blood.

At Home:
1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.
2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child
isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.
3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from
the children

Swallowing Coins (a favorite):
1st child: When first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the
hospital and demand x-rays
2nd child: When second child swallows a coin, you carefully
watch for the coin to pass.
3rd child: When third child swallows a coin you deduct it from his
allowance!