Happy Birthday Brinley!!!

Brinley turned 8 on December 14th! We had her party the Saturday before and she got to invite 10 girls to come get their hair and nails done with her at the Paul Mitchell Hair School in Provo! These girls were all so cute and so excited! They had a great time! Each girl had their own stylist and got a full manicure, nails painted and all and then got to choose how they got their hair styled! :) Most of them just told the girls to do whatever, and they all ended up so cute! They came and got the girls one by one and called their name out, and made each girl feel like a superstar! I thought it was kinda funny, but the way cute stylists didn't do near as good of job as the girls that you would look at and think they wouldn't know what they were doing! (Does that even make sense) So, basically the not very cute girls did a way good job on the girls! Ha ha! I just thought that was kinda backwards!

Brinley and her friends just seemed so grown up! It is fun having my "little" girl caring about styles, hair, nail, clothes, etc. Anyway, enough about that! We came back to the house after (there was a huge snowstorm this day) and we decorated gingerbread girls and boys! I made 2 batches of gingerbread the night before, and cut them all out! They were so yummy! We had all kinds of things to put on them! Morgan went and got us pizza and we put Brinley through the spanking machine (for some reason my kids luv this!) and we opened presents! We ended up running out of time to do anything else! She got some of the cutest presents from her friends! She loved them all! Thanks so much everyone for the nice gifts!

My little girl is going to be baptized on Jan. 2nd! She is so excited! I took her to her bishop's interview on Sunday and on the way I was saying to her in the car that I couldn't believe she was old enough to be baptized, she was just so excited and was skipping into her interview! It made me realize that I need to enjoy where my kids are at right now, and enjoy the things they are doing NOW instead of wishing they were still little, cuz guess what? They are going to grow up whether I like it or not! So, thanks Brin for teaching me a lesson of "Enjoying the ride"! I love you little girl!

8 things I love about my 8 Yr. Old!!!

1. Her smile

2. Her love for her brothers and sister

3. Her love for reading

4. Always wanting to Choose the Right

5. How kind she is to everyone around her

6. Her silliness (especially when it's bedtime!)

7. How she would never say a mean thing about anyone

8. Her willingness to always help out when I need her

Happy Birthday sissy! We love you!

Below is a little blub from her "spotlight" that was in our ward newsletter:

Brinley turned 8 on December 14th and is so excited to be baptized!

She loves having her birthday in December because she knows when it's her birthday that Christmas is only 11 days away!

Brinley has been the little princess in our family for the last 7 years, and

has brought so much joy and love to our home! She prayed and prayed for a little sister

and in July her little sister Halle was born! Don't get me wrong, she LOVES her brothers,

but there is just something about having a sister! She is the caretaker in our home!

She loves to make sure everyone has what they need and that everyone is happy!

She is a great little mommy to Boston and Halle, and looks up to her big brother Zach, he is a great example

to her, and teaches her between right and wrong.

Brinley loves to do what is right and doesn't like to get in trouble! She loves school, especially

MATH and READING! She loves to DANCE and do GYMNASTICS! You can expect to find her doing

cartwheels, and tumbling around the house! Brinley is a great friend and is nice to everyone!

We are proud of her for choosing to be baptized, and are truly blessed to have her in our family!

We love you Brin!

FuNnY pIcTuReS!

A couple of Sundays ago we were just hangin out and Brinley was being silly and put her glasses on Halle! We all got a good laugh out of it, but Halle didn't find it too amusing!

I thought this was a cute picture of the boys after the Utah v.s. BYU game! Poor little Boston and my cute little nephew Nate had to take it from these 2 BYU fans the whole game! They stood their ground though! They were so cute and stood behind Utah the whole game! They weren't very happy at the end though, there were even a few tears shed! Sorry boys!

I love Boston's face in this picture!

Turkey Trot Winners- Thanksgiving 2009

Brinley- 1st place winner for the 2nd grade

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving was a BUSY day! It was the kids last day at school and their annual Turkey Trot that they look forward to every year! My kids have always done good (they get their speed from their dad believe it or not!) But this year, my little Brinley came in !st place in the whole 2nd grade! She was so excited! She won a t-shirt this year instead of a turkey when she won in kindergarten! She wore her shirt proud though! Zach did awesome and came in 3rd for the 5th grade! Way to go kids! It was fun to come and watch you! So, after spending a couple of hours at the school we went back home to packing our bags to leave for St. George as soon as Morgan got home from work. This was our first trip away from home for that many days since we had Halle, it's amazing what one little body can do! We were packed to the brim! Leaving as late as we did the kids slept most of the way which was nice, we were so happy to be going to St. George! We love visiting every chance we can! We grew up as kids going to St. George visiting my grandparents (that's where my mom grew up) so ever since my parents bought their condo we have been having Thanksgiving there which brings back alot of memories! We had a great time with my family, we were all there except my brother Ryan and his family who live in Tennessee and my other brother Matt and his family who live in Idaho. We missed you guys! The weather was beautiful while we were there! The kids were able to play outside alot, and Boston learned what "street ball" was! :) The kids played alot of football, and played at the park that is right up the street! The dads took the kids to Dixie College to play football Thanksgiving morning so we could help my mom in the kitchen.

I realized once I got home how much sleep I DIDN'T get while I was there! I was worn out cold when we got home! Thursday night I didn't even go to bed and left the house at 3:45 a.m. with my sister, my nephew, and my cousin to go shopping! I met my sister in law and my cousin at Target at 6:00 and they were already done and had a place in line! So I grabbed what I needed and hopped in line with them, it was great! Then we headed home for a couple hours of sleep before the kiddos woke up!

These are just a few pics of the weekend, but couldn't stand not posting about Thanksgiving!

Zach, Brinley, and Boston after the Turkey Trot

Zach- 3rd place winner for the 5th grade

SISTERS!!!

We took the kids to Tuachan to see the live Nativity! It was really short- only lasted about 20 mins. they LOVED it and didn't want it to end!

I can't remember if I ever posted about my cute little nephew that was born exactly a week before Halle. We waited a LONG time for these 2 little precious babies to be born! They are both so healthy, we are truly blessed! This picture above is the first time they met at Lance's baby blessing when they were just a month old! How sweet are they! We had a major photo shoot with them and got so many cute pictures when they were just so tiny!

This is them now at 4 months old in their bumbo chairs together! They are so much fun to have together! They bring so much JOY!!!

This is all the nieces and nephews at my sweet aunt's house who had all 33 of us over for pie Thanksgiving night! Thank you Darla for having us in your home! We love you!

My sister always takes the kids to hike the Dixie rock and the Narrows while we are there, but this year she took the kids to the Sand Dunes! They had a blast! She is always so good to take them kids and do something fun while we get our Christmas shopping done! I don't have any pictures, cuz they are on her camera, but the kids had so much fun burying each other in the sand and playing football too! Thanks Sonn for taking them, they always look forward to doing something special with you!

Boston was really looking forward to going to the Dixie rock, cuz he has never been old enough to go with all the cousins. The kids begged us to take them on our way out of town, and it was so much fun! Morgan and I hadn't been there since we dated in College and needless to say we have grown a little since then and couldn't fit through the Narrows this time! :( Our kids zipped up there in about 2 mins. and we just figured... why squeeze?

The view of the St. George Temple... so pretty!

The famous "Dixie rock"

Morgan with the kids on TOP!

I'm feeling Christmas in the air... Bring it on!!!

Go Jazz!

The other day Boston wanted to wear his Jazz

jersey, so when I was getting him dressed he

found his old jersey that doesn't really fit him

anymore. He thought it was so little it should

fit Halle, so we put it on her! She wore it the

whole day and the kids loved it! They thought

she looked so cute! So of course I had to take

pictures! The Jazz were even playing that night!

Too tired, after too many pictures! :)

HaLlOwEeN 2009

Halloween morning Zach played in his Championship game against A.F. for football. It was a crappy game and we didn't come out winning! My mom came down for the game and to spend the weekend with us! It was alot of fun! It was so fun to have her here, she is always so much help to me! She offered to stay home with Halle and give out candy while Morgan and I took the kids trick-or-treating. It turned out to be such a beautiful day with the sun shining and all! We started early and the kids didn't last long. We were home by 7:30 and they loaded up on the candy which they really don't even care about! Morgan and I always end up eating it, and I always end up dumping it right before Thanksgiving! All the good stuff is gone by then anyway! :) I had made sugar cookie dough and my mom rolled out the cookies that night with the kids, I always hate rolling the dough and cutting them out. For as long as I can remember, my mom has made sugar cookies for EVERY holiday! I somehow haven't carried that tradition on with my kids, I seem to make the dough and eat it just fine! :) So, they love it when grandma makes cookies with them! Brinley and her even frosted them all, Brin got carried away with the sprinkles, and was having so much fun!

Boston got to give a talk in Primary that next day, and was so excited! We had to practice, and practice at home, so of course my mom had to stay and see him! It was funny cuz the other 2 sunbeams in his class didn't dare get up to say the scripture and prayer, so when it was Boston's turn, I was a little worried at what he might do. But he hopped right up there and said every word! He had even memorized some of it from saying it so many times! I was so proud of him! It was a fun weekend! I don't feel like I was really prepared for Halloween this year, as far as the costumes go... usually I have their costumes ready in Sept. but this year we were scrounging the week of... that's just how it goes right now with a new little one to keep us busy! But we love her to pieces!!!

Halle was a fairy, Boston was Peter Pan (Zach

wore this when he was Boston's age!) Brinley

was a witch (every little girl has to be a witch

sometime right?) and Zach was a dead football

player... (go figure)

Our little family!

Halle asleep on the beanbag... too cute!

This is my sister and her friend dressed

up as a grandpa and grandma!

They were hilarious! We couldn't

stop laughing when they came to the

door!

My mom with the kids!

Halle in her cute little costume!

CaRvInG PUmPkInS!!!

Every year the kids are so excited to carve pumpkins!!! We got our pumpkins at Cornbelly's this year, the kids had alot of fun picking them out! Why is it that as parents we put off things that are so messy and require alot of clean-up as long as we possibly can? :) We didn't carve our pumpkins until Fri. night before Halloween! The kids loved it! This year Brinley didn't have one bit of help! I was so impressed that she did EVERYTHING by herself, she wouldn't even let her dad help her at the end when she was the last one in the kitchen carving away! She even did her name on the back and did every letter by herself!

Brinley working hard on her pumpkin!!!

The finished products!

Halle's first pumpkin!!!

cOrNbElLy'S

I took the kids to Cornbelly's the Monday before Halloween, I was so glad I did because it snowed the next day! It was so nice, and the kids had a ball running around! Halle slept in her stroller the entire time we were there! Morgan wasn't able to come with us cuz he was working a ton that week, so we went early when the kids were out of school. The kids love doing the Corn Maze, I wasn't real thrilled to do it, because I couldn't take the stroller in, but ended up having alot of fun with the kids! We went on a hayride, and we were laughing our heads off! It was so bumpy and we were bouncing all over the place! Halle was just a bouncin in her little seat, and stayed asleep the whole time! Boston jumped right in the hay and was rolling around like a little pig! I'm so glad I was able to spend the afternoon with my kiddos! They are the best in the world!

HaLlE is 3 months old!!!

My baby is getting too big toot fast!

Oh, I just love and adore her!

Yesterday on the 21st Halle turned 3 months old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by!  

We had to take a "few" pictures so we could remember what she looked like!

I hope she doesn't kill me one day for posting this picture, but I was getting her ready for bed one night and she just looked so cute and chunky in her little diaper!

Too funny!

My friend Jess bought her this darling little sweater and we had just got home, so I had to take her little picture! Thanks Jess! We love it!

FuNnY bOsTo!!!

Boston cracks me up! I wish I wrote down every funny thing that he said, cuz half the time I'm so tired and brain dead that I can't remember!  Whenever Boston is watching something on T.V. and he has to go to the bathroom or get anything from the other room or whatever it is... he HAS to push pause.  We have gotten spoiled watching everything on DVR these days! ;) So, I was in my bathroom getting ready and he runs in saying "Mom, come here, you HAVE to see this!" I had no idea what he was going to show me, but went in the living room with him, and this is what I saw! He had paused the t.v. and this is what Diego's face looked like! He was laughing so hard, and got the biggest kick out of it! How could you not laugh at that? Then I started laughing so hard with him! Oh, to be a kid again, and find the simplest things so funny!

One day last week, I was warming him up a hot dog for lunch (or maybe it was breakfast) and I got it out and set it on the counter and he said "Mom, my hot dog is sweating" maybe that's why they call them hot dogs because they're so hot!  He is so funny! I just LOVE having this kid around!

Little Lehi Pionettes

A couple of weeks ago Brinley did the kids camp at the H.S. with the Pionettes! She did this last year and had alot of fun!  Two of the girls on the drill team live right by us, so we wanted to show our support!  It was SO cold that night! So, we mostly hung out in the gym until it was time for them to dance! They had the Paul Mitchell hair school there doing their hair and make-up and even painted these cute "L's" on their faces! It was so fun for these little girls to be superstars!

Way to go Brin! It was so fun watching you, you did a  great job!

Boston even got an "L"

(That's what he gets for hangin out with the girls!)

Brinley and her friend Kailee

All these girls live on our street! We had to get them together for a photo!

Too fun!

In order from Left to Right

Brinley, Shaylee, Aspen, Addie, Bo, Kailee, Courtney, and Brooke

4 little Glo Fish...

Just thought I would throw in a recent picture of Halle! She changes every day! She has really started smiling a ton this week and coos all the time! It is so fun! The kids are loving her!

Friday morning Zach woke up with a brilliant idea to get pet fish! We told him if he wanted to spend his own money then that was fine! Because these little fish needed a place to live! Well, he talked Brinley and Boston into using their money too, so they all put their money together and added it up, they had over a $100.  We told them they didn't need to spend it all, and agreed to take them to PetSmart.  Little did we know what we were getting ourselves into!  We walked in and Morgan told the guy what the kids were wanting to do.  He told us right off that if we wanted the fish to live we were going to have to invest in a nice tank... around $120 Morgan and I looked at each other and thought... there is NO WAY we are letting them spend ALL of their money on these fish! But, they were also set on getting these fish TODAY and there was no goin back! So, after looking at different tanks, and going back and forth trying to decide which tank they were going to get, and driving the PetSmart guy CRAZY they finally decided on a 10 gallon tank that was $65.  I couldn't believe how excited they were picking out everything for it! They each got to pick their fish and they all wanted Glo fish! They already had their names picked out and everything!  Well, we had everything we needed and just needed to get the fish! Well, little did these kiddos know that they weren't going to go home with any fish that day!  The guy told us that we needed to go home and set up the tank and get everything working right and the water to the right temperature and THEN come back and get the fish! My kids were devastated! My Brinley was in tears and they just didn't understand why they couldn't bring the fishies home now! Why is it every kids dream to have a pet fish?  I think they all go through that sooner or later right? We are the mean parents who don't let our kids have pets... or should I say that I'm the mean mom! Sorry kids! We came home and Morgan helped them set up the tank so it was running smooth! We had/have no idea about fish, but learned probably more than we wanted to in the hour that we spent at PetSmart!  We promised the kids that the next day we could go back and get their fish! So, after Zach's football game, we went! They were so excited and had so much fun watching them in their new little home! I think that it is so cute that they put their money together and wanted to get these little fish together! We'll see how long the excitement lasts!

Brinley wanted to hold them in the bag.  Boston was afraid he was going to drop them!

The kids and their new tank!

They chose 2 Electric green, 1 red, and 1 orange!