Saturday, August 14, 2010



Yes, Justin and I finally got out of the house. Justin got me tickets to see Jack Johnson for my B-day. We had the greatest time. The music was amazing. ALO and G. Love opened. Loved it all, but nothing topped Jack. Gotta love when they actually sound as good as their albums. Actually, maybe even better. We even got some good laughs over the people dancing in front of us. Let's just say, worse than Elaine from Seinfeld but equally funny. I think I may have convinced Justin to get a sitter for the kids and get out of the house more often. Yay for me. Thanks babe.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Father's Day

I am the world's worst blogger, guilty as charged. I meant to put these posts in order from January through July, but like I said "I'm not blog-worthy." So here you go in random order a recap of our last 6+ months.
For Father's Day we hiked to Stewart Falls. It was beautiful and the kids had a great time. Of course my camera died after this picture was taken, on a positive note at least I got one. :)Posted by Picasa

February = Love My Family

I cannot say enough how lucky I am to have my family, LOVE THEM!!Posted by Picasa

Easter

Nykelle enjoyed her first Easter Egg Hunt. She didn't know quite what to think, but loved the candy surprise. I wish they were that easy to please forever. Posted by Picasa

Summer Friends

The kids have been so busy this summer with their friends. Nothing beats a carefree summer with friends, good times! From baseball in the rain, swimming, Seven Peaks, Lagoon, football camp, Shadow Mountain camp, soccer, Stadium of Fire, to just being crazy with their bestees, it will be hard to top this summer of fun. Posted by Picasa

Summer Makeover

Orange Sherbet anyone? I imagine you will only desire an orange room once in your lifetime so when Averee asked for an ORANGE room I said "Wish granted." It turned out a lot cuter than I anticipated, although sometimes I think I still need blinders when I walk in her room.Posted by Picasa

Let the games begin

Nothing beats sunshine and baseball. We have so much fun going to Braedon's games.Posted by Picasa

May = Birthday girl

This Cheeser had a birthday in May. Liv turned 11! Hard to believe next year she will enter Young Women's. Hope they are ready for this beehive, she is such a ham! She really does keep us all laughing. Love you Liv!Posted by Picasa

January

Here is Nykelle enjoying her first ride in the snow, she could go all day-literally.Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Look Who's One!!

This little angel turned one on January 5th. What a blessing she has been in our lives. She is just starting to walk and is talking up a storm. She loves books and she is already a little mommy, rocking her babies from side to side. Her favorite is emptying anything in sight: drawer, cupboards, baskets, purses. Sure makes it hard to keep a clean house. She is not a dainty eater. She is covered in food from head to toe by the end of each meal. After going through multiple outfits a day, I have resorted to stripping her before each meal. Although, this isn't an option in public so I will warn you now because when she is done eating it is always fun to have a food fight, as food is thrown in all directions. Honestly, it has been such a joy to watch our family dote on this little one. When one of us calls out that she is doing some adorable act, we all come running. We can't imagine our lives without her. Thank you for coming to our family little Elle. We love you!

Cake time fun!



She sure had fun opening gifts with an audience. She quite enjoyed being the center of the show.


1-2-3, Who do you see? Two of these are Nykelle, 1 is Liv and 1 is Averee. I had Olivia and Averee's pictures taken at one year with this yellow sweater and can you believe after 9 long years I still had the sweater and had Nykelle's picture taken to match.






































Sunday, January 3, 2010

The Hustle and Bustle of Christmas

A gremlin lived under my tree this Christmas season...and her name is Nykelle.

I love Christmas, it is such a magical time of year. I can say that having this little one around sure does open my eyes and reminds me to treat everyday as if it were Christmas. It was so fun to watch her excitement about the little things that my older gremlins don't get as excited about anymore. Such as...the ornaments on the tree, wanting to handle each one, taking them off the tree one by one. The Christmas lights, she would sit in such awe on light rides, practically jumping out the window at each new found discovery. The two times she sat on Santa's lap, there was no wailing or tears (even though she is very stranger shy), she just looked at him inquisitively. She loved the sounds of bells ringing, loved hanging with me in the kitchen, was such a trooper as my shopping buddy, and rocked around the Christmas tree to holiday tunes. She definitely made this season magical.

We hosted Justin's family Christmas party shortly after we returned from Seattle. The kids look forward to this every year. Of course Santa dropped in to say "HOHOHO."

We try to calm the children long enough to set the mood for the Nativity story. All in all it was a good night full of new cousins meeting, food, and fun.

Christmas Eve pajamas.

Christmas morning was crazy fun. We had to wake the baby (the middle/left picture), she was a little glossy eyed. That's okay, I'm sure she will get revenge on the older ones in years to come. She loved her babies. As soon as she ripped enough to see what was inside "O-baby", "baby." Adorable.

Averee loving her new Christmas dress, and I think her eyes bugged out of her head when she opened her I-pod.

Do you see a running theme? You're only an obsessed little girl once, right? Yes, she did get a few things that were not "Jacob" related.

The boys. Braedon loved his weights from Grandma and Grandpa Drake. He is saving for a weight bench now. Brock is enjoying his array of toys. Santa was very good to all of us this Christmas. Really, I know who I'm thanking for everything good in my life and I don't think he lives at the North Pole, but he does make things in my life very magical. And I will be thanking him in my prayer's tonight, and forever.