A much needed weekend.

Life has finally calmed down a bit, and we were all able to sneak away to St. George for a much needed weekend of relaxing. We got to St. George Friday early evening. We were able to catch one of CC's softball games (she is on Gunnison's softball team). It was fun to watch, but the weather was cold. When we left Gunnison it was snowing, so not as bad as Gunnison but still cold. Not really short weather. I was able to get a hold of one of my best friends from high school Kelie Adams (Stanclift). We went to dinner with her and her husband and little girl Ariana. Then we went back to their new beautiful house. The kids had a great time playing together. It was so good to see Kelie, and it made me miss all the things about highschool.....so many fun memories!! That night we were able to meet up with Cody's cousin Kelsie and her fiance Brian. We met them at McDonalds and were able to chat for a bit. They are so cute and are a great couple. The next morning Cody took Payton and Rilee swimming. Payton had a blast, but Rilee clung to Cody really tight. She was pretty scared, not to mention it was kinda cold outside. After that we loaded up the car and decided to give our college friends Amber and James Davis a call. I felt kinda bad just dropping in, but we didn't really know out plans in advance. Once again it was a great visit. Our kids enjoyed playing with their kids, especially on their fun playground set. Amber was my roommate at college and James was cody's room mate. We did a lot with them at college. Again, it made me reminisce of college days. After the visit we got lunch then headed out to the ball fields for another softball game. This time it was a little warmer. Before heading home we decided to squeeze in one more visit. We visited Cody's cousin (2nd actually) Mark Neilson. It had been a long time since I had seen him, and I had never met his cute wife Jen. It was fun to get to know her a bit. We finally decided that we better head home. On the way home, we made it to about Beaver and it started to snow so hard. We went about 20 miles an hour the rest of the way home. It made for a long drive, but most importantly we made it home safely. It is always kind of nice to get home to your own bed after a little vacation, but it sure was fun to spend time with all of our friends.

Grandpa's are great!!!

In early March, my Parents were down in Gunnison for CC's drill team spring show. My dad decided that while he was down here he would fix some problems with the computers at the Capital Reef visitors center. He kindly offered to take Payton and Rilee with him. I was a little nervous cause they can be very tiring, but he insisted that they would have fun doing a little hiking. The kids were super excited! These pictures are of their little hike. On the fifth picture down, Payton climbed out onto that ledge and then realized how high it was.....Grandpa says he got a little scared----so scared he had to go pee (outside of course). The kids had a wonderful time and grandpa survived. Thanks Dad for everything you do for my kids. You are an awesome dad and grandpa. My kids cherish every little activity that they get to do with you. Love ya!!!

Payton's 5th birthday party

">I can't believe that Payton is already five years old. He is going to go to kindergarten next year. It is a weird feeling. Anyway, for payton's party he wanted a batman theme....obviously. By the time he invited cousins, neighbors, preschool friends and church friends, we were up to 16 kids (with Rilee and Payton). I will not lie, it was crazy and I was exhausted afterwords. The kids each got there own Batman cape...thanks to my mom's great sewing skills. We had cupcakes and ice cream and took the kids on a treasure hunt. It was fun, but 2 hours with 16 kids was more than I could handle. Anyway, all the little kids had fun.

What a great dad!!

I love watching Cody interact with the kids. Lately our nights have been pretty hectic. Cody has kind of been the one getting the 2 older kids to bed. I actually think it goes better when he puts them to bed. He kind of has his own system going. He reads them books, helps them say their prayers, and tucks them in. Last night our family home evening was on Prayer. Cody talked about how we act and what types of things we say in our prayers. Cody had to go to dance practice with CC (he is stepping up and dancing with her for the daddy daughter spring show for the drill team). That meant last night I got the kids to bed. When we had finished reading stories I went to tuck them in, and suprisingly both kids climbed off their bunk beds and knelt down on the ground next to the bottom bunk ------they were ready for their prayers. It was humbling for me to see my little kids being so obedient and reverent. It made me want to cry!!! I am so proud of them and for being such great kids. Also thanks to Cody for being such a great example and dad.
I have to post this cute picture of Cody holding Talan. It must have been a long day cause Cody is zonked out and Talan is wide awake, just chillin.

Baby Brown Eyes

Talan is already 4 months old. I can't even believe it. He is still a great baby, but has found his voice. He is constantly screaming (playfully) and making all sorts of other cute noises. Also as his eyes have started to change, we think that he will have brown eyes like Cody. The other two kids have blue eyes. Talan is a lot of fun. I enjoy every phase he goes through. I will keep you posted on rolling over!!!!

Spotted..... Rainbow Bright

Well, for the most part I have had friends watch Talan on the days I have had to go to work. There was one day though that I could not find a sitter so I had to take him to day care. Well he cried for the first 1 1/2 hours there, but immediately stopped when I came over and held him. After getting him calmed down, I headed back to work. When I picked him up he was no longer in the outfit that I sent him in. Instead he was wearing this outfit. He had had a blow out all over his clothes and the teacher that was holding him.......AAAH! I just had to laugh and take some pictures because it reminded me of Rainbow Bright......or something like that.

15 reasons I have been a slacker about posting.

For all of you that are wondering why I have been so bad at posting lately, here is a list of what has been happening at our house the last month or so......I think you will understand why I have been busy!!! 1) Talan got his first ear infection 2) Talan got RSV 3) Rilee got an ear infection and early pneumonia. 4) CC fell at her friends house and busted out two of her front teeth....causing a late night dentist trip. 5) I started back to work. 6) Busy going to CC's region and State Drill competitions. 7) I overflowed my laundry sink and flooded my basement and my bedroom closet....we had to pull up all the carpet. 8) Valentines day 9) Talan got another ear infection 10) Cody started coaching the 7th grade all star basketball team. 11) I taught prenatal class every Wednesday. 12) My kids flooded my laundry sink, causing yet another basement flood and having to pull up my bedroom carpet. 13) I started Talan on rice cereal, cause he is always hungry. 14) My sweet little niece McKynlee was born, so we traveled up to Idaho for a visit. Congrats Akaela. 15) I dislocated my left thumb and have to wear a splint.....that is why this post is in a list form. I can only type with one hand and a list is shorter.

Well, that might be all. Hopefully things calm down a little bit. I will TRY to keep you posted.

Precious pictures

Rarely is their a Sunday that all my kids are ready and waiting to go to church, but amazingly the other week we were actually on time. I got the opportunity to snap a few pics of my kids all dressed up. I think they are so cute and the orange juice mustache on Rilee is a common thing for her. They are all getting so big. I am loving every minute of it........well almost every minute.