It's just like driving a car - but on water!

We had a great time at Ryan's family reunion. We stayed at the Warm Springs Retreat in Hanna Utah. Ethan learned how to drive a paddle boat and chauffeured people around the small pond. I finally got my chance to take a ride and Ethan had to be in control. We got a little stuck getting away from the dock and Ethan was getting frustrated with me. He said, "Mom, it's just like driving a car but on water!" Oh of course! - How could I be so silly! I was impressed with how tough his little legs were. They kept going, and going, and going!











We then came across an alligator that the kids had fun playing with...

The Snake

Ethan caught a snake at Ryan's family reunion. He was so proud of it and all the cousins followed him around - he was such a stud! They found a cup to put the snake in but after many people told Ethan to let it go the snake slithered away in the river.

This made Ethan so sad. He really wanted to bring the snake home! I tried to console him but he was sobbing with his head inside his shirt. Finally one of the cousins told me why Ethan was so upset. - He wanted to show is kindergarten class the snake he caught. --- oh boy what a show and tell that would have been!! Luckily we got these pictures of Ethan with his snake before he let it go.

Ryan's OOPS!

Ryan asked me to help him clean up the hair on the back of his neck with a razor. I was handed the razor and when he turned around for me to go to work I started laughing and thought he was joking around. I had to ask him several times if he was serious because this is what I saw...


He had tried to do it himself while in the shower and had no idea that he had a chunk of hair missing! I was able to straighten the hair out but it will need to be professionally cut really soon.

My Favorite that says it all - The Mom Song by Anita Renfroe
Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_G5HEU-Ckk

M*O*M

Being a Mom:

It will change your life

no more sleeping in on weekends

no more spontaneous vacations

you will forever be vulnerable

You will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?", every plane crash, every house fire will haunt you.

she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother

Eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

Shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor

Birthday Pictures in Dad's shirt and tie

Ethan 6 yrs old


Stockton 3 yrs old

HaPpY BiRtHdAy ETHAN!

6 Years old and a New BIKE!!

Peyton's Pictures info:

Many have asked so her is the information -

The photographer was Amanda Archibald. She uses natural light and the session took place at her home in Providence. Her blog is linked in my blog list under - EMBRACE. This is the first time I have gone with a photographer other than a store studio. It was well worth it! She took time to get the shots and is very creative. We got over 80 great photos to choose from. I can't wait to get my family pictures done by her in the fall!

Peyton's newborn pics

just a few...

tutu & headband by Baby Emblems - see link in blog list.

Done by: Embrace Photography by Amanda

Soccer SUPERSTAR!

Ethan's first Soccer game EVER was this past Saturday. We were so impressed with how well he did. He must take after his dad - being a great athlete!

Isabelle from his kindergarten class is on his team along with Ty. Unfortunately, his friend and classmate Tanner was on the opposing team.

Great Goal!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy! STOCKTON

Wow! Look at me.
I am 3!We had a fun night with family celebrating Stockton.
Cupcakes, Balloons and fun presents made the day special.
Thanks to everyone who came to wish Stockton a Happy Birthday!

The Story of the "Gum-Drop" Gun

My nephew, Ammon was told by his mother that if he got out of bed during bed-time then the monsters would get him. This worked well to keep him where he was supposed to be at night but when he asked Uncle Jordan to make him a Gum-Drop gun we found out he had been traumatized. You see, Ammon thought that a Gum-Drop gun would fight off the monsters that lurked outside his bedroom door. Uncle Jordan, not knowing what a Gum-Drop gun was, created just the thing Ammon needed...









Ammon couldn't be the only kid with one of these so Uncle Jordan made one for each of the nephews. Ethan and Stockton got them on Easter for their birthday presents. Stockton learned right away how to shoot the darts. Ethan got frustrated at first, not being as successful as Stockton, but now they are both shooting champs! There are no more monsters at our house... Thanks Uncle Jordan!!

Peyton's first Easter

Grandpa Murrell and Dallin picked out this cute bunny slipper and hat set for her.

It is so fun to get to shop for dresses.
This is the only picture I got of the kids Easter clothes.

Easter Eggstravaganza!

What a weekend! The kids enjoyed an egg hunt with cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Bartholomew's house on Saturday along with a barbecue and surprises from the Easter Bunny. Grandma also surprised the kids with their own goody bags including toy cars and bubbles which they can't get enough of.

Great-Grandma Lewis partied with us and we got a chance to have a 4 generation picture taken.



On Sunday, we barbecued again with Grandma and Grandpa Smith. Another egg hunt followed. Since it was a warm, sunny day we had some interesting fashion going on. Adam strutted his stuff and Grandpa Lex should be on the show - what not to wear - ha ha! The kids loved opening their eggs to see what surprises were inside.

It's Working!

This has got to be one of the top 10 funny things Stockton has said or done...
He had just gotten out of the shower and was getting dressed when he decided to try peeing in the toilet standing. We have been slowly trying to potty train him and have just rushed him to the toilet when we see him "hiding" to poop. Well, if he was taking the initiative to do it on his own I was all for it! Having a hard time getting his little "pee-pee" over the toilet bowl, I gave him a stool to stand on. He was pinching himself so hard that I didn't think he was going to be successful and left the room to take care of Peyton. I soon heard some tinkling and went to peek in on Stockton. He was so excited! He heard me approach and turned his head and said... It's Working!

Outfit of the Day...

FRIDAY

THURSDAY

WEDNESDAY

TUESDAY

MONDAY