Birthday girl

Recently I got to celebrate another birthday. We really like birthdays in this house and celebrate birthday month, week, eve, day and even post days :)

I didn't know what picture to put on the blog to celebrate MY birthday. Then I came across this picture. I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

It was taken last fall when we went to Disneyland and the beach. That was such a fun perfect evening together. In this picture everyone was running on the beach in pure happiness. Our kids had never been to the beach before and absolutely loved this new experience. I can still hear their laughter and picture the smiles on their faces.

It reminds me that it is okay to get a little older because I truly enjoy my life (past and present) and am excited to enjoy the future. My days right now are crazy, busy, frusterating and amazing. I have a wonderful husband and four kids that teach me every day about life. All five of them teach me how to laugh, try new things, to continually work on patience, and most of all to have fun.



So another year has gone by... that's okay though right? I am starting to notice a few more lines on my face but have to keep telling myself they aren't wrinkles but laugh lines.... a sign that things have been enjoyed.

Vegas Style

We decided we needed to warm up a little and visit Las Vegas where Nate and Liz (Jim's sister) now live.

Hoover Dam- Look how excited Afton and Lilly are to be there :)


The Las Vegas Strip

I would like to say a modestly dressed family with four young kids blended in quite well on the strip.... but I can't :)

Amazement at the Bellagio

We didn't dare let the little girls roam so they were always in arms or on shoulders. Grateful for Nate and Liz to be in on toddler holding rotation. I know my arms and shoulders were very tired by the end.

Liz squared


Nate teaching Ethan all his wise wisdom

and most exciting to the kids.... a local park :)






Our main reason for coming.... no not the table but the chance to hang out with Nate and Liz. It was really nice to hang around the table each night eating chips and salsa, shakes, cookies, etc. and just talking. Thanks for hosting!

Basement progress

Although our basement is defintely still not fully functional- we have made some major progress down there. Just as a reminder, when we moved in we just had cement walls and floors.

Here is the beginnings of our home theater/ entertainment room. We have identical desks in each corner (one for family and one for Jim's business). In between the two desks we will put a couch and eventually get a TV. Plus we still need baseboards, window coverings, wall decorations, and the list goes on and on.
But how exciting is that carpet? Oh, it feels amazing!

My washroom and food storage room. It is small but does the job. I love my freezer and Shelf Reliance. I need to get one of those wire shelves to put above the washer and dryer.


Close up of Jim's great tiling skills in our shower. I like the fact Jim really wanted a bench in his shower :)


Our bathroom. Once again really small but great. I promise there is a sink in here it is just not pictured.


The kids love the big empty room to run around in and Ethan and Lizzie have had a couple sleepovers down there. Yeah for progress!!

What I learned in December

Toddlers love the snow and are amazed that mom can make a "Frosty"

Lizzie really enjoys chocolate frosting

Christmas is still magical for an 8 year old

Watching the guy put carpet in our basement is pretty exciting.


A trip to Temple Square with 4 kids is still insane. This picture is a good representation of our evening

Afton loves her yellow pumpkin from Halloween and her backpack (it always holds a baby named Afton, a turtle and a yellow ball).

Lilly does not like clothes unless it is her froggie boots and her Jessie hat. She usually always carries her pink pumpkin filled with various "treasures". I don't know why she didn't have it at this moment.

Matchie clothes are still really cute. Notice Lilly's pink pumpkin. Plus it breaks my heart that in this next year these girls will be 3. My "babies" are growing up way too fast.

The Family

A sample of some of the pictures from our photo shoot...

Lizzie 6 1/2 years old

Afton and Lilly

Ethan 8 3/4 years old

Our beautiful children

Lilly 2 1/2 years old

The first picture taken. I love this one because of how Afton is holding on to Lizzie and how Lilly is cuddled up with us not quite sure yet of picture taking.

Afton- 2 1/2 years old

This boy

I love this boy! He has always been extremely caring of others ever since I can remember. He has such a tender heart.
Tonight was Ethan's piano recital. As a side note it was also my first piano recital EVER. I was extremly nervous and was really surprised how nervous I got for a simple duet. Ethan and I did a duet of Jolly Old St. Nicholas and then Ethan did a solo of I Saw Three Ships.

- He endured very patiently all of the times, and I really do mean ALL the times his nervous, paranoid mom wanted to practice at home for our duet
- He took charge and led the way up to the piano at the recital with our music in hand
- He put his arm around me and said "Good Job Mom" when we we were done playing and back in our chairs.
- He never seems to get nervous.

Trouble with a capital T

For a girl that always gets in trouble and is the most curious girl I have ever met... all I can say is Afton you are lucky you are so darn cute!



We decided to not use our self timer this year for a Christmas card and had someone take our picture. It was easy, painless and Jim and I didn't even lose our patience:)
I can't put more up since they will be used as presents for parents :) Sorry for the spoiler parents.
But here is a sneak preview of one of my absolute favorites! We actually got a good family shot and some great kid and individual shots! It was amazing to accomplish that with four young kids.
I will post them after Christmas.