Wishing you a VERY Merry Christmas!

Here are a few tidbits of our Christmas morning. I have to say, that it was one of my favorite Christmas mornings. We all made gifts for each other, which made the day more about our love for each other and not who had what. We have so much to be thankful for and my family tops that list! I hope you have enjoyed spending precious time with your families this Christmas. I'm looking forward to tomorrow when Ryan gets a few days off - he's exhausted and we've missed him. Merry Christmas everyone!!

pj tradition

Christmas eve ended on a fun note as the kids opened their pajamas that I had made for them. I may be biased, but SO CUTE!!!

An elect lady

Grandma was such a loving and strong woman, its hard to believe she is gone. I miss her so much already. Seems like I've cried all day. I'm glad she is no longer in pain. I can just imagine how fast she is moving without her body holding her back. Its nice to think of where she is - if anyone deserves the highest degree of glory it is this marvelous woman.

Quality time

So thankful to be able to spend time together outside. The flower beds look so much better.

So technically we are ready for winter, but

I don't want to be.

Happy Halloween!!

We didn't have snow this year, but we still froze! Our princess, dinosaur, and pirate had fun trunk or treating at the school - but were so tired and cold at the end that there were no complaints about going home!

Happy Halloween!

My kind of wall art!

All it takes is an old barn window, a little elbow grease, paint, hooks, and my latest scrapbook pages to make this lady SO HAPPY!

When we finally got it done and up I couldn't stop looking at it - I smile every time I walk into my craft room, and that is really good for my creativity :)

Sorry Ry, but I couldn't help but share this photo. This is Brodyn's excited attempt at wearing mascara. So cute. But not as cute as the ten minute conversation between Ryan and Brodyn about how "Boys do NOT wear makeup".I couldn't stop laughing when B responded with "Uh Huh!"

Pumpkin Patch

I can't believe how crazy fast time is flying right now. We're past our first big round of sickness, hopefully we'll be good for awhile. A few weeks ago we visited the pumpkin farm and went for a hayride out to pick our pumpkins. We had fun and got some good pumpkins, but fun was soon replaced by drama when we got home and Brodyn wanted Ainsli's pumpkin because he could carry it around.
I couldn't resist taking a photo of his pout. He's becoming very determined and demanding of what he wants. It doesn't help situations when I giggle because he is so flippin' cute!!!!

the Riddles

Cindy is my scrapbook buddy. Her family is absolutely adorable - we had fun doing this photo shoot at the Old Iron Works place. Thanks guys!

School pics

I thought I would share some of the pictures that I took for the beginning of school. We got some fun ones and I found some neat old buildings that made our picture shoot fun! Its really getting to me how much our kids are growing up . . . I'm just not ready, but I wouldn't miss a moment. I've been very blessed.

Stitching -

I've been getting a lot of stitching projects done in preparation for the craft fair, plus a few projects I want to try. Ainsli decided she wanted to stitch again, so I got her project out . . . I can't believe how good she is at only 5 years old - I love sharing my hobbies with my girls. Tonight Brodyn will probably help me paint - he loves that, too bad he's so messy :)

Aubrei is 11!

Even though she is growing up way too fast, I'm glad we have an 11 year old who is content with staying little and being a sweet, innocent girl. She had a fun birthday and a wild sleepover (I guess I remember being a giggly girl too).

We registered at the Jr. High yesterday and we had a mini-tour. Can I mention that I hate lockers? My hand still hurts from trying to get that stupid locker open :) I was starting to get worried, but Brei was finally able to get it open on her own.

The school is so nice, and taking the tour seemed to help her relax a little.

So now I guess we are ready for the 31st to come.

Ainsli lost her 1st tooth!

She was so excited that she lost her 1st tooth! As you can see, she had been crying (I think the blood freaked her out a little). Ains is so excited for school to start. Yesterday in Walmart we were getting school supplies and she introduced herself to a little girl and found out they were going to be in the same class. Then we had a little scream and dance session in the aisle and Mommy wanted to hide, but had to calm Ains down instead while trying to keep Brodyn from falling out of the cart. Oh, the joys of shopping with your kids. . . .

Summer Fun!

The kids loved the carnival this year! Poor B had a sore neck, but he's such a trooper that it didn't slow him down much. I did this collage for an assignment with my Jessica Sprague class -so fun!

photo editing

I've been taking a photo editing class and this is the last project I did. I love how it turned out. This is the house Grandpa Harris was born in (in Albion). I love the old-fashioned TTV textures and the brush.

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!

We all love you so much and hope your day is great!

Brodyn wanted to make you a cake

But he was a little too much help

It was yummy though!

Thank you for loving us and always being there.

You are an AMAZING grandma!

Happy Birthday!

Brodyn is 2!!

Its hard to believe our little boy is already 2 years old!

He is absolutely full of fun and mischief -

He gives the best loves ever -

And he makes us all completely happy!!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Happy Birthday Paka!!

To the COOLEST grandpa ever!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

(Not to mention the BRAVEST)

We wish we were there to help you celebrate!

We love you! Thanks for being so special!

Have a great day!

MAY catch up?

Whew! I guess I need to become more accustomed to craziness. May was jam packed for our family, but it was also full of fun. Lets see if I can remember it all . . . .

We were able to celebrate Grandma Harris' 80th birthday with her. It was so neat to see so much family that I haven't seen for 10 years or more. It turned out so nice and the kids had a ball in the bouncy house. I hope Grandma felt special and knows how much we love her!

I'm glad we were able to visit the resting places of our family members on Memorial Day. Its hard to think of how long they've been gone, but its important for us to remember the love we shared and the impact they had on our lives.

This was the first time I'd seen Grandpa's headstone. It looks just right - I miss his laugh.

Aubrei got two medals for her science fair project. 1st place in her category and 3rd overall! We are so proud of her!!

Then we had 5th grade graduation. She is growing up so fast. I'm not ready to send her to Jr. High!! I'm thankful that she is such a good girl, she really has a special spirit.

Then we got a taste of summer . . .

And the rains came!

Mommy!

I've been thinking about how much I love being a Mommy. I marvel that Heavenly Father has allowed me to be a part of these precious miracles. Its hard to believe that Brei is almost 11. It seems like yesterday that we saw her for the first time.

I hope my Mom knows how much she means to me and the appreciation I have for all that she sacrificed for me. She is a pretty special lady!

Have a special Mother's Day!

Our Dancers!

Saturday I took dance portraits at Studio 48. It went well and we got some great shots. Of course, I may be biased, but I'm pretty sure our girls were the prettiest there!

We're looking forward to recital in 2 weeks and then having a break.

Brodyn has been a little sick, but he's such a happy little guy, sometimes you forget. Ryan finished the hallway and now he's moved on to painting the laundry room. The wind has been blowing like crazy, ugh, but atleast we don't have snow!

I did another photo shoot with Allie. She is the cutest baby and loves to smile for the camera. We tried to get her big brother Zach to pose too, but he just wasn't into it. Thanks guys!

DIY projects!

We've gotten so much done this weekend. Ryan had a four-day weekend and it was so nice to have him around. The kids have been in seventh heaven. Friday night he even took all three kids to the Hannah Montana movie so I could work on my Photoshop class with peace and quiet. He's a keeper!!

We've had a few home improvement projects that have been on hold because of life, but we've gotten a lot done this weekend. The downstairs hallway finally has all the new doors in with new moulding and baseboards. The trim is almost all painted and then we're painting walls. I love crossing things off of to-do lists, so I'm a happy girl!

Brodyn is a happy boy helping his Dad. He never puts his hammer down, which is interesting at nap-time, but I love seeing him following his Daddy around!

Happy Easter!!

Today has been a special day for our family. Our focus has been on our Savior and all he has done for us. Even the Easter Bunny left an egg for Brei to find by our pictures of Christ. Ry gave a touching talk today in church on the Atonement. We are so thankful for all that Jesus sacrificed for us so that we can work towards eternity as a family. What an amazing gift!

We had an eventful night dyeing Easter eggs. Aubrei accidentally spilled two cups of egg dye, so we had some sad moments, but things worked out and we had fun decorating and in Brodyn's case, eating eggs with shells on.

Ainsli modeling her new dress and putting on her 5th layer of lip gloss from the Easter bunny.

Aubrei hunting Easter eggs, she is such a big help and growing up so fast.

The Easter bunny brought Brodyn a new tool table. He has been in 7th Heaven since Ry got it put together. His sisters have been enjoying it as well. It is such a blessing to have everyone healthy and see them so happy. I cherish all of these memories.

For Easter Ryan gave me another Photoshop Elements online class. This is the first project and I had so much fun doing it. It partially showcases our new kitty, who has fit into our family really well! (too bad we still haven't picked a name for her yet!)