HAPPY EASTER!

Easter is such a nice and relaxing day! It is nice to be able to reflect on Christ and the Atonement without getting into too much worry about presents, like I tend to do around Christmas time. I know this is my fault, but it just gets a little crazy!
However, I do have to admit that the joy on my babies faces is worth all the stress in the world. I just really hope they are understanding the reasoning behind all the celebrations. I need to start being a lot better about that. In fact, I believe that is what our family home evening lesson will be on tomorrow night. Better late then never huh?

Brayden's basket was under the sofa table.

Ryan's basket was in the dishwasher!
Porter's basket was in the toy basket!

Madison's basket was in with the garbage sacks!

And Aaron's basket was in the laundry room! I made a deal with Aaron that he could just buy me some clothes and we would call it good for Easter. He gladly agreed!
Aaron and the kids went out to try out Porter's new bike he got with his money from his birthday. Porter was on the front pegs, Madison on the back ones and of course Brayd on Aaron's lap. They loved it!

And of course...........Mr. Independent rode his own bike!

Aaron's and Madison's outfits matched so I took a picture of them for Easter Sunday.

The boys and I didn't match so much, but I thought I would throw a picture of us in anyway!
HAPPY EASTER!!!

My Baby Brayd is 1 Year Old!

Wow, how the year has flown! Brayden had his 1st birthday on March 22nd. I can't believe he is 1 already! Brayden is such a blessing to our family and keeps us smiling and laughing! When I found out I was having another boy I have to admit I was a little disappointed.....However, the more time I spend with him the more I realize that there is no way I would want it any other way. Aaron thinks he is my favorite! I really don't have a favorite. Anyone that is a mom knows that it is pretty much impossible to love one child more than another-dads are a different story-It is so easy to love and adore a 1-year old. They constantly need you and do the cutest things. Anyway, just a little shout-out to Brayd! WE LOVE YOU!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!

We celebrated Madison's and Porter's birthdays on Saturday also. Madison's birthday is on April 11 and Porter's is on March 31st. We decided to just have one big party with family so we didn't have to plan to many parties. We had alot of fun. We just invited family over and had Panda Express to eat. It was YUMMY!!

They each got money to go to the store and buy something they really wanted. Madison got a big coloring book and plans to get some clothes. Porter got a really cool bike with pegs in the front and back! He thinks he is so COOL!!


Brayden got this fun "Elmo Laptop." He seemed pretty interested in it. He also got some word animals that are magnetic! What do you get a 1 year-old that has 3 older siblings that have more toys than they know what to do with? I often hear Madison and Porter talking about selling their old toys so they have enough room for their new ones.
It didn't take long for Brayden to delve into his cupcake. He enjoyed it just as much as the bath in the sink afterward!

This is kind of a silly picture, but it is the only one I took of my kids filling their Easter Eggs. I decided to try something new this year. Instead of coloring hard boiled eggs that will just go bad, I decided to get candy to fill plastic eggs. (Don't worry, I didn't deprive my kids of coloring Easter Eggs, they did that while they were up visiting grandma Smith a couple of weeks ago) They really had a good time filling the eggs. Ry was even a REALLY good helper!


Madison, Porter and Ry love to be wrapped up like little "babies" by their daddy in their blankets then carried off to bed. Then we placed Brayd right on top which he seemed to enjoy!

I love this picture of Bud! She put on Joanna's glasses and grabbed her purse and said in her comical voice, " WHO AM I?" For those of you who know Christie can only imagine her doing this! It was SO funny to me and every time I look at this picture I can't help myself from laughing! I love you Bud! Thanks for making me laugh!

Our little Vacation

We traveled up to Liberty, Utah this last week to visit Aaron's family. This......is how we traveled. In a big 'ol Motor home. It was actually pretty nice. As you can tell by the huge smile on Ry's face HE LOVED IT!! The only seats that have seat belts are the front two captain seats. This works out nicely for my kids who absolutely HATE to be buckled up.

As I mentioned earlier my kids are awful travelers, so when this was going on in the back seat, Aaron grabbed the camera and said, "They are cute when they're sleeping. I'll keep them."
Aaron asked Ry if he would help him drive the sweet Tacoma we rented. This way we didn't have to drive around the motor home the whole time we were up there. So, of course Ry agreed. He even made sweet noises like the engine! Oh, he sure is a daddy's boy! In case you can't tell by the huge smile on Aaron's face!
I love this picture of Aaron and Ry. After the celebration of Samuel Smith's 200th birthday we were walking by the conference center and Ry of course wanted to walk on the wall. I love how Ry's little foot is up, and he's just walking next to his daddy!! (We left the other kids at grandma's with a cute little baby-sitter that the kids love. Ry was the only one that wanted to come. Lately he has had this fear of being left alone. I wonder where he got that from..........?)
At dinner on Sunday I told the kids to hold up their favorite food on their plate.....

Madison's was the Potatoes!

Porter's was the meat!

And Ry's was the broccoli..........That's MY boy!!!

Madison is reading with her Aunt Ashley who is 13 in this picture. When Aaron and I were engaged we were talking about our kids and what they would look like. He said to me, "I picture us having a little girl and her looking just like Ashley." Well, it looks like that is what we got! What do you think? We love Ashley, she is a great Aunt and a good helper! Keep up the good example Ash. Madison might just turn out A LOT like you!

I had to put this picture of Porter in because the story behind it is so cute and amazing to me! Aaron dropped my earring behind this desk like the first day we were at his parents. So, finally the last day we were up there I decided I had better find it. I looked a little bit but couldn't find it so I asked Madison and Porter to go ask grandma if she had a flashlight. Porter came up the stairs looking like this.........I laughed, then continued to look for it with the flashlight that Madison had brought up. I had looked for about 2 minutes and couldn't find it so I went on doing other things-that shows you my attention span, which we thought Porter got from me. However, Porter wouldn't quit looking, he was so determined to find it. After about 2 more minutes he yells, "I, oh, this isn't it." It was so sad, but he continued on his quest to find this earring. About 5 minutes later he yells again, "I found it mom!" He was so excited and Aaron and I were so proud of him for not giving up, but to keep on keepin' on.
GOOD JOB PORTER, I LOVE YOU!!!

First of all I have to thank Christie for taking this picture and not getting too close! This is what we finally did the last day of Spring Break! The rest of the time we were up in 5 feet of snow!! No kidding! Why did we do that? To visit family of course. We went swimming at Summit with Christie and the kids LOVED it!! Brayden didn't so much like his life jacket but he did like the water. He would stand up all proud of himself then hold his hands out just in time to fall and go completely under the water. As I pulled him back out all he could do was smile about it. I really do hope my kids enjoy the water because I don't! But, there dad does!! Good thing Madison and Porter are taking swim lessons. Just in time to be prepared to go boating! They are so excited!

My cute boys.

I just had to show this picture. Aaron and I bought all the boys matching outfits from Costco. So I dressed them the same....

Addicted?

Ok, so I may just be addicted to blogging, but I think it might be the coolest thing ever! After we brushed teeth, read scriptures and said prayers I told my babies they could play upstairs until it was bedtime. So, I'm up here on the computer and I hear Madison and Porter talking. I don't remember anything before
Madison says, " French Fries will make you fat, so I try not to eat very many."
To which Porter replies, "Oh, will nuggets make you fat?"
"They aren't healthy, so I will have a lean pocket." Says Madison
"Ok." Says Porter "I will have an apple."
"That's good, an apple a day will keep the doctor away!" Answers Madison

Can you tell what I eat for lunch? My poor kids are caught right in the middle of my crazy eating habits! Madison just came to show me how they are exercising (doing the leg movements from 8 minute buns.) Porter was right behind her telling me they are working out! I love this! It really is amazing how much they pay attention to what is going on. I love those kids!

Running for FUN?

I just got this sweet picture from my sister, Christie. My friend Nicole, Christie and I ran a 5K on Saturday. It was actually pretty fun and I felt a little proud of myself afterward. I hope to keep running, it gets me doing my own thing for a bit! My only problem is after I run my knee hurts, but Christie's husband Moss is being a good doctor and letting me know what to do to make it not hurt. THANKS MOSS!!

My baby Ry

I guess I am back, I might could get use to this! First of all I have to say I am so glad that Aaron is on his way home! I know, I am a baby when it comes to him leaving. I just hate to be alone, it might be my biggest fear EVER!!
Today I was outside running on my little track in the backyard-trying to get in shape for swimsuit season-Madison and Porter were watching Dora, Brayden was sleeping and Ryan was outside with me riding his bike. In the middle of my running I noticed Ryan going inside the house. I figured he was just going to be with Madison and Porter. After I was done outside I went in the house and asked where Ryan was. Madison or Porter didn't know. So, I walked around looking and calling for him, when I got to the door by the garage I heard him say, "I am outside mom." Now, this is the garage where our cars are parked, my big 'ol bus and Aaron's baby! As I walked out into the garage I held my breath as I heard the door on Aaron's Lexus beeping, and I saw the head and taillights were on. I rounded the Yukon and saw Ry standing there with the green container of turtle car wax. I looked at Ryan and he said, "mom, I'm cleaning dad's car." Sure enough there was wax all over the driver side of the car. He even had a towel to wipe it with. Ryan loves his dad and I guess he just wanted to surprise Aaron with a clean car for when he got back from his little business trip.

My cute little sister came over and helped me put this picture on so here it is.....I did however, take the picture after I made sure it all came off so you can't see how good of a job he did:) I was a little NERVOUS.

Alone Again

Aaron left me again! I hate it when he leaves me. Anyone that has seen my monkey kids will understand why I hate it so bad.
So, here I am sleeping at my parents house because I am too scared to sleep at my own without anyone there. While we were all hanging out here my cute little sisters helped me set up this sweet blog thingy! We'll see how this all turns out. I may never post again.