Sister has the camera!

I found this on my camera the other day. One of my daughters played dress up with her brother and then took a picture to capture the moment. This picture really made me think though. My children are growing too fast. This cap and gown may be too big right now but someday.... I can only pray that I will cherish them at this time, in the stage they are each in, because they seem to grow in the blink of an eye!

Footprints on my soul

Being a mom is perhaps the hardest thing I will ever do in my life. It is challenging in ways that we cannot know until we become a parent. But it is, on the flip side, the most rewarding thing that I will ever do. I strive to be the best Mother I can be, to make my children happy, healthy, and to help them create a bond in our family and with our Father in Heaven. It is exhausting most of the time and I feel I often fall short of my goals. But I keep trying and as I do the children reward me in little ways that make it all worth it! The other day Nelson, Wally and I went out to the back yard in the early morning. Dew made our feet wet and I noticed these footprints after we went back inside. I couldn't help but take a picture. Here we are at different stages, me leading them. But they are the ones leaving footprints on my soul! ... and I cherish them!

"Fall"

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year. I love the crispness in the air, the baking, the crunch of the leaves... honestly I could go on forever about why it is so great. I am grateful to now live in an area where there truly is autumn. We have been enjoying all the aspects of this season including the leaves falling off of the trees. We have spent a lot of time playing in them here are a few pictures...





Happy Autumn to you!!

Jess Turns Eleven

It seems like Jessica was five just yesterday, and now she is eleven. She is an amazing young lady full of great ideas and helpfulness. I am so grateful that she is my daughter and that we are enjoying this journey together. Jess is also a sensitive girl, much like her mom. Last month we celebrated her birthday and I thought I'd share a little of her celebration with you!!

Jess loves owls and penguins. This year she asked for a penguin cake. It came out a little rough but she liked it so all was well!

For her party 10 of her friends came over for games crafts and fun. Here Deric is demonstrating how to stack marshmellows on a popcicle stick!
Playing "face the cookie" only one girl got it in her mouth (without using her hands)!
The winner of the can/paperplate stacking.
Jess attempting to stack marshmellows.
Sammy after the "flour" game! This was our finally game and we were going to play it outside but it was raining. We did it anyway and made a huge mess but had lots of fun!!
Make a wish!!
Then it was time for presents! All the girls sang a song and bonked Jess on the head with a gift, it was really cute.

"Heavy, heavy hang over. Thy poor head. What do you wish, with a bonk on your head!"
The whole gang (minus Carrie who refused to get in the picture).
On her actual birthday (a few days later) Jess opened gifts from Us, my mom and sister. I think she got a lot of good stuff. She asked for more earings and she got a lot!!
Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter! We love you!

Hoppy Birthady Two Year Old!

Two years ago today our family went from seven to eight! It was a beautiful sunny day and everything went so well. Little wally was born just after 4:30 pm, a handsome healthy baby boy. We were all so excited to welcome another little boy into our family. He is steadily becoming a better and better playmate to his big brother. And BOY are they boys!! I am getting a full dose of the difference and they are sure keeping me on my toes! I am so grateful to be the mom of this little guy. Happy, or should I say Hoppy Birthday Wallace!

Two years later and he still LOVES his stuffed froggie! Here he is... The birthday boy!!
Wally got many gifts but the best was his new motorcycle from Meme and Poppy!! He rode it around as much as he could today. We were worried that he would need it to go to sleep (luckily that was not the case!) *Note, the PJ's have froggies on them!
After dinner today we enjoyed cupcakes with Wally. "Hoppy Birthday!"
These were so fun to make!
This picture was taken after Wally blew out the first candle, or maybe it was the drool that put it out!! (Thankfully we all get our own cupcake!)
Yummy, not so bad, thanks Mom!
Here he is trying to put the candles back in, and blow them out again!
He went to bed a happy little two year old!!

To the temple with Grammie

At the beginning of October Grammie Pam came to visit! We has a great weekend relaxing, enjoying each others company, and enjoying yummy food! On Saturday afternoon we decided to visit the Manti Temple. It has a beautiful property and we thought it might be a good place to walk around and get some energy out! This rock is on a pathway behind the temple, the kids insisted I take a picture!
Outside one of the Eastern facing doors.
As we were walking back to the car Grammie pointed out this photo op. Seeing this picture reminds me how lucky I am to have such great kids, who are such good friends. They may have their moments but they love each other so much and really get a long pretty well most of the time!
Before we left I took a picture of the kids with Grammie!
A lot of the rest of the weekend was spent playing games! They LOVE to play board games with Grammie!!

Jessica's First 5K

Last Friday Jessica ran her first 5K. I took the little kids and went to watch her cross the finish line. Wally kept asking "where's Jess?"
Here are Carrie and Nelson Waiting for her to come down the road.
And here she comes, big smile and all!!
A much needed drink with two of her friends. Great Job Girls!!