"I couldn't ask for a better Mom..."

Ethan and I attended sacrament without the girls or our Daddy today and it was a great experience! I was able to put my arm around him the whole time and hug him. He loved it. When we left he said, "Mom?" I knelt beside him and he said, "I couldn't ask for a better mom because you are always doing nice things for me." I hugged him so tight and long and got a little emotional. I said, "Thank you so much" and kissed his forehead (the only place I am allowed to kiss my big boy). Then we walked to the car and continued our great day at home.

Ethan is such a sensitive boy and I love it! His emotions are always right at the surface which means he can get quite angry and frustrated when things don't go just right, but it also means he feels a great capacity to love. Ethan has always shown great empathy. I love my tender hearted son.

He made my whole year with that sweet, tender comment he made while walking to the car hand in hand with his ol' mom.

Pierced Ears for Izzy

I didn't intend to pierce Izzy's ears on my recent trip to the mall, but when she saw the jewelry boutique she kept saying "i ant (want) eawwings (earrings)." She kept saying it for the whole hour and a half I walked the mall with her. So finally I stopped in front of the boutique not knowing if I should just do it or wait. I told her over and over that it would hurt. She kept saying she wanted earrings like mommy. Finally I just did it. Izzy picked out these cute little princess crowns. Yes, she cried a bit, but was quickly showing anyone who would look how cute her princess earrings were. She would make anyone who looked at her ear also look at the other one.
We had a ward gathering that night and she again showed everyone!! I love this photo because it shows how excited and proud she is of her princess earrings.
Now if she would just pee in the potty!

Makin' Cookies

Ethan is off-track from his year-round school right now so we have to find things to do to pass the day a bit easier. We made cookies!! I am not a chef, cook, baker or anything of the sort. This woman's place is definitely not in the kitchen, but today we attempted and succeeded at making some yummer chocolate chip cookies.

Look at the effort Ethan is putting into stirring in the chocolate chips.
I am sure he got quite a workout.

This is the extent of Izzy's contribution. :)

Sleeping Beauties

I go hang out with Kari once a week at my mom's house in Brigham and this is the sight I see in my rear view mirror on the way home. The girls are so tired they are usually asleep before we hit the freeway. I love how their heads tilt the same way when they sleep. It makes for a nice drive home for me without having to meet the demands of the little ones. I turn up the radio and sing a long. Nope...the girls don't wake up.

BeWitched at Gardner Village

Ellie's First Birthday

Not quite sure what's going on.

Loving her pink cake.

Cleaning up in the Laundry Room sink

First birthdays are always fun. Ellie's first birthday was a blast. I love when my family gets together and when my kids are happy, so this birthday party was a great event. Ellie got a lot of fun toys (which Izzy thinks are hers). Ellie was the star of the show and didn't quite know what to do.
She is not quite the spit-fire Izzy was at one, but she gets mad when she doesn't get her way. Ellie is very observant of her siblings and wants to do what they do. She is pretty little for her age; she weighs 19 lbs and is in the 20th percentile. Ellie loves to walk and has a little waddle about her. She is finally getting some hair, not much though. We call her Ellie Bean, Peaches, and Elle. She is a great addition to our family and it's a joy to watch her grow.

Grandpa's Gyrocopter!!

Curt has been working on this little Gyrocopter for so long that when he invited us all to see it fly, we ALL went. We had the 13 little ones sitting on a blanket on the ground and the adults got some camp chairs and enjoyed the show. Michael and Corey were briefed on an "In case of Emergency" run down and then Curt was off...without any problems. It was wonderful to see. He was so excited! Boys love their toys...especially ones they have built with their own hands.

Anxiously waiting for the show.

Off he goes

Look at him go!

Gotta love the beautiful Utah mountains...the perfect backdrop.

Izzy and McKayla are thrilled to see it fly!

Grandpa Curt lands safely...and with a HUGE smile!