Wyatt turns FOUR! (my BABY!) :)

(McKay, Greysen, Wyatt)

Wyatt wanted to go to the Aquaplex for his birthday. He invited some friends, and much to his brothers dismay, had his party during school hours!


Jess was a trooper and swam with the kiddos (not that it looks like I twisted his arm or anything!) -they all had a great time!! :)


Afterwards we took them to McDonalds for ice cream sundaes (and nuggets). We had them sufficiently worn out! :)

That night we celebrated with our little family w/ some cake... Wyatt put an extra candle on for 'good luck'.


Wyatt is a fun kid. He loves life and loves to be in the middle of everything. He's a charmer and tries to get away with anything and everything. He's too cool for me though -I have to wrestle him for a kiss, but has no problem taking them from Miss Angie! He really, really, really loves going to pre-school and gets upset when I come pick him up. And he says the funniest things... Oh, I wish I would write them down! Happy birthday kiddo.

Bodie turns SEVEN!

Gosh- it's really hard for me to believe my children are getting so BIG. Bodie is a sweet kid. He's kind and considerate. Often he will ask me how it's going, give me a compliment or give me a hug. He's also a goof-ball and pretty "squirrelly" :) He loves little gadgets (um, pocket knife!) and working with his hands. He does well at math and works so hard on his spelling words to get 100% each week. It's pretty cool to see. We threw a low-key party and it turned out great. I made up a few obstacle-course like games to play, we ate pizza and then came in for cake. All had a good time = success. :) Love you Bodie!!!

Brock is FIVE!

Yesterday we had a party for him. He had "the best day" rompin' around the neighborhood with the kids and couldn't wait for his party to start- he was mostly excited about his pinata! :)

Blowin' out the candles...


The silly string was a nice touch. We just needed like 15 more cans. :)


Pinata was a hit.


Cuuuuuuuuute girls!


Brock opening presents. I still just can't understand how un-excited he was about the boxers, hoodie, kite and PIGGY bank we got him! (lame-o. But seriously. He really has been wanting more boxers.) He got some rockin' presents totally suited for him. Glad other people know what to get a 5 yr. old.


Before he went to bed we looked at pictures of when he was born and when he was a baby and talked story. It was fun. After they went to bed Jess and I were trying to remember what time of day Brock was born. I knew I went in early... so I broke out the journal. Oh it was fun reading about him as a little baby.

Things that make Brock "Brock":

-Every morning he'll make his bed when he get's up and gets dressed right away.
-He's pretty much always the first to call it a night and will put himself to bed if Mom isn't quick enough.
-He's a 'foodie'. The number one thing Brock remembers about an event is the food he partook of. :) Which helps me understand why he is so stingy with sharing his food.
-Most things are not his fault, they are yours.
-He is quite shy- or rather, does NOT like any attention drawn to him especially if he wrecks or falls. And he will let any stranger know it... in an explosive manner.
-He gets leg pains quite frequently during the night.
-Before he goes to bed at night, he will empty the contents of his pockets, and line them all up on his window sill.
-He LOVEs carrying around his wallet and buying stuff at the store. We are working on the saving part (hence the piggy bank!)
-Finally, he loves teasing his brothers about girls. And he's got a mouth on him. And his expressions are the best.

Love you buddy.

TURNING THIRTY and being diligent.

(Becky provided the decorations. This is the after the clean-up)

(fresh flowers make me smile. aren't they beautiful?)

I was excited for my birthday. I wanted a celebration. I wanted to be with people that I loved. So we threw a small gathering. Jess made wonderful fish tacos and 3 salsas (a mango/pineapple based one, red, and chunky.)
Marilyn made me a strawberry cake that I had been CRAVING. :) It didn't disappoint. There were hellium ballons floating around everywhere that the kids had a ball with. (I wish I had a picture!) I didn't take any that night. :I But it was a nice evening. Friends came, my parents and in-laws came up (and both drove back to their homes that night, *thank-you*) and my sister Kim and niece Ava came up and stayed the night. I don't spend as much time with my sisters as I'd like, so it was a TREAT.

I hadn't given much thought to entering into a new decade. But today I am reflective. I am excited for this new chapter in my life. I wonder what the next ten years will bring. I often think about the type of person I am. Mostly the wife I am & the mother I am. But also the sister & daughter I am, and the friend I am. I want to perfect each of these. I want my relationships to be solid and meaningful. I want to continue to invest in myself, but also more so in my family because that is where I think the greatest return will be. I think I do a pretty good job, but know if I put more effort into it, I will be grateful in the long run. It is easy to get wrapped up in the things I want to do...

I've been listening to conference talks over and over when I workout. Elder Bednar talked about being diligent. (Steady, earnest, and energetic effort.) I think that is going to be my motto for my thirties. DILIGENT in all things. My relationships, my mothering, my physical being, my spiritual being, and other aspects in refining my whole being.

Cheers to thirty. (Unfortunately I have the chin hairs to prove it.)

Wyatt turns T H R E E.

He is so in love w/ Thomas the Train - so we made a train cake (Bodie had a train cake too on his 3rd b-day!) psych. It was his 4th. :)


The boys had fun decorating it.


Notice Wyatt is blowing out q-tips! We had to improvise! Jess did a major over-haul of the cupboards a few days earlier and tossed out the candles (I'm not complaining!)


Wyatt picked out his plates too. :)


He didn't have a 'p a r t y' -But seemed happy w/ his family around him. :) I love this stinker. He makes me laugh and laugh all the time and gets me fuming too! The stuff he pulls! It is an understatement to say he keeps us on our toes. On the other hand, he is so thoughtful and sweet. He is always the kiddo wanting another hug & kiss when you are leaving and always says "Have a good time, bye, love you!" It is sweet. He loves to cuddle and always says, "sleep with me, momma" and wraps is little arms around my neck. He gets excited about little things and his new favorite word is: Awwwwwwwwesome! Love you Wy-se guy.

Bodie is SIX today! I love this kid.

He is happy-go-lucky, gives great hugs & is a master towel-folder! Not to mention pretty darn good at doing the dishes. (how is he growing up so fast!?)

We had a party at Peter Piper Pizza and it was a hit. They took care of e v e r y t h i n g and the kiddos had a blast. I'll have to get my pics uploaded... sometime! :)

Today we got a special treat...


Nana & Papa came up (and brought lunch!) for Nana's b-day. Crystal Creek Sandwiches were had. Yum - It's been awhile. (Why? I ask myself) Complete w/ every kind of chip, grapes and soda. Kiddos = pretty much in heaven, each w/ their own bag! (If you can't tell in the picture) :)


The boys & I made chocolate cupcakes w/ butter cream + cream cheese frosting (creamy) topped w/ jelly bellies. Kona girl helped herself to these babies while we were gone...SIX to be exact. I better not find barf.


The boys of course had fun riding their bikes to and from and around the park.


And Papa had fun watching.


Happy Birthday Nana - L O V E you.

BROCK'S 4th BIRTHDAY... p a r t y!
He wanted a transformer cake....But everything I saw on-line was more than I wanted to tackle... so we kept it pretty simple & just stuck a figure on top! :)


These individual cakes are the ticket! So cute.


The pinata was a 'hit' (ha) :) There was SOOOOO much candy in it...






All the kids' bags were O V E R F L O W I N G....





Casey & Becky


Ryan & Michaela


Brock opening some presents


His favorite... a bag of m&m's... hilarious.


"see my m&m's??"


Gettin' after it. :)



For you, Nana & Papa! We missed you!