Naked Boy!!

I know what you are thinking a little late for halloween post. Brady is quite the character. He hates clothes, he changes at least 2 times a day. To be quite honest most the time you can find him running around in his under
wear or something much like the attire he has on in this picture. He makes me laugh everything he wears, he wears proudly. Never shy or embarrased of his getup. When he is only in his underwear , he refers to himself as naked boy! Lets just hope he outgrows this one by kindergarten!

Yea Brady's first day of preschool. Everyone was excited.

Look how big he is, Ella has her back pack on too.

Had to put this one in here, love this baby! He is so adorable. I am so happy I am his auntie Tara. I love our cheek time:)

First day of preschool

Brady started preschool on tuesday and he absolutely loves IT!!! He was so excited all morning and it was torture waiting for 1230 to roll around. I had to work so I missed, i know bad mom. Thank goodness for my fabulous sisters. They save me on a regular basis and I am so so grateful. Amy stayed with the little girls. While YaYa drove him to school. THey were 15 minutes early, I know that would have never happened if I was driving. No one was there yet not even the teacher, The teacher came and he was the first kid there so he got first picks at which seat he wanted. That made him feel special. They painted in paint clothes. He painted a self portrait. Traced his hand and wrote his stats, 49 pounds and 46 inches. He is the tallest kid to attend his preschool, by 3 inches. He is only four. He is a big boy. I asked him about his day and he was so excited about everything. He said, "mom there is 4 boys and 4 girls, they are all nice and my friends. Except for the blue guy he is mean" Translated the little boy wearing blue tshirt. He is starting mature alot and does so good at church also. Hopefully this will help him even more at learning to be a big boy! I will post some pics when I get them:)

TImpanogas Cave

For Ella's birthday we hiked up to Timpanogas Cave! I love it there. I wish it didn't take so long to get there I would like to hike up and down that once a week. It is a workout. We got seperated from part of our group so I stayed behind. Once I found the lost party, we only had 30 minutes to get to the top. Its pretty insane. I felt like I was going good, good pace I was thinking I have to almost be half way. Then I noticed the little marker telling me I was 1/4 of the way. I did do it in a bout 25 minutes and I was walking as fast as could before it was considered running. Thank goodness for my long legs. I found the rest of my group and we were there on time.

There is my mom and nick(ella on shoulders) just a short way before cave. They dont let you take the little ones in, in backpacks!

Brady man was such a tough guy. He did it all by himself and did not complain a bit. I was so proud of him.

finished with the cave. You gotta sign the book so they know you were there.

The birthday girl in the cave. She wanted to be on her own, but you got to watch them close with all those rocks everywhere. They want to climb and lean on them.AHHH

There is Amy and baby kaison. He is 2 months old now. He was a very good boy. Not many kids can say that they went to timp that young. We were happy they could come.

Here is my mom in the cave. looking fabulous as ever. We were so happy grandma came on our little adventure.

Charlee in the cave. She hiked down with 3 backpacks gave my shoulders a rest. No I am not a mean mom she wanted too. She is always watchin out for me.

There is a tired daddy and one pooped birthday girl. She slept the whole way down and on the drive home. Power napping to finish her birthday festivities:)

All done, what a fun hike and the cave is so cool. I love things like that because it reminds you of the beauty all around you. Its crazy all the beautiful places we have close by and we dont take the oppurtunity to explore. I hope to take time, more often to enjoy the beauty all around us!

My Ella Bella is TWO!

So saturday the 29th was Ella"s birthday. She was so cute in the morning when she woke up. I was not home so I called her. I sang her Happy Birthday and she sang along. We took her to breakfast and Her aunt Amy, brought her balloons, lei and tiara. She was such a cute little birthday princess. I love her so much. She is my last so I have just wanted to keep her a baby forever, No such luck! She is growing and its fun to watch. Each day she gets more and more dependant. She even is going potty some of the time. She will just tell us she needs to go, we take her in and sure enough. I am not scared of the terrible two's with this little sweetie. Not saying things could not change at any moment. But she has been my sanity, She is so quiet and so good. Sometimes when it is chaos all around her, I will watch her and she will just play quiet or just sit back and observe. Not that she doesnt have her moments. But in general she has been my little angel. I have felt so blessed to have her in my life! I cant wait to watch her to continue to grow and learn. I love you Ella Bella!

Almost Back!

So I know this isnt the best picture! I probably get alot more joy out of the sweat on my neck than you do. I just have to say that I am so grateful to those people who got me through these last 6 weeks. I decided that having the hysterectomy was not as hard on me physically, as what it was like for me mentally. I am a goer, I am always on the go, running, cleaning, doing things for others, yard work, baking, you name it I probably do it. To take it easy for 6 weeks, not lifting anything over 5 pounds is tough. Especially my Ella, oh how I missed picking up my baby doll. But it was hard to not be able to clean my house or just take care of simple tasks and errands. I had to rely on other people, Asking people for help is not my specialty. My two older kids, Charlee most of all carried the weight of my responsiblities and it is no easy Job. I am so thankful for them sacrificing their summer fun to take care of me. The doctors and nurses make it sound so easy. Just veg out the rest the summer, watch movies and relax. Oh it just sounds so much easier than it is. Anyways my point is I am starting to feel like myself again and it feels so good. I can be left alone to care for my littles, I can lift things heavier than a gallon of milk, I can drive my car and get me a diet coke whenever I feel like it. I have been released back in to my life to all regular activities. I will tell you one thing, it makes me so grateful for my strength, even if it is a little weaker than usual. I am grateful to be able to take care of my self. After having Charlee drive me around in a wheelchair one time a t Target. I realized how blessed I am for some of that little stuff I sometimes take for granted. I have developed a greater empathy for people who are handicap and rely on others always. I guess I am just alot more happy just being me. I ran 2 miles again and though it is one 13th of a marathon. I feel like I just finished a big marathon. I know what your thinking, whats next? We will just have to wait and find out:)

Back to school!

So I cant believe the summer is gone. I am sitting her left alone to care for my littles. I am going to be just fine. The house is quiet noone is fighting and just little footsteps up and down the hall. Charlee started junior high, today can you believe it. She is so excited not worried or anything just totally prepared. She might be feeling a little different right at this moment. Running from class to class, trying to get that dang locker to open and so many kids. Ha Ha the memories. I know she will do great.

Chase is the big guy on campus six grade. His teacher was his math teacher last year. I have to admit I am a little scared of her. It might be a rough year from him, but you know chase he will keep smiling. Anyways I am ready for a day with my two littles and cant wait to hear about the kids day.

Catching up !!!!

We were all very excited to welcome my new nephew Kaison!He is almost six weeks so I am way behind on this post. sorry. He is adorable and me and the kids fell instantly in love. Ella loves when amy sends me pics on the phone. She wants to look at them all day long.

Look at that baby he was so long and thin!! Amy did a great job. I was so proud of my little sister.

Charlee and her turn.

Chase and his turn. Chase may be tough but he has no problem just loving this baby. I like to watch him hold him because he is so calm, unlike chase and he just watches that baby boy almost in amazement.

This trip to the hospital was bittersweet for me. I was feeled with absolute joy for my sister and to have this beautiful baby in our lives. Then there was that baby hunger that hits you when you see a newborn. As I walked out of the hospital, 10 days before my hysterectomy, knowing I would never, for sure never do that again. I felt sad. Than I looked up ahead of me at my big kids and the littles. I felt blessed, way blessed and all was well!

Happy fourth of July!!

Ella loved the parade. She waved she clapped she danced. It was way adorable.

All you parents of toddlers. Notice the cute monkey attached to ella's back with a tail that is a leash. This is a great investment. Its a cute stuffed animal they love while at the same time allowing them a few feet of freedom. But you dont have to worry about losing them in 3 seconds flat. I love it. I own 3 for each of my toddlers in my life. Some people walk there dogs, I can walk my toddlers. Just kidding ya.

Arghh look at these cute pirates. Brady and his cute cousin sterling!!

Look at us in our sweet parade spot. We arrived to the parade 15 minutes late. Nick looked across the street and noticed the concrete guard rail that was almost empty. Thanks to the nice guy we didnt know that was kind enough to strattle his feet so me and stephanie could have a seat and the extremely nice officer who came by every little bit to remind us we could not be sitting or standing in street only on guardrail. It was a great spot lots of shade.

We had a great time at parade and most of all the kids loved it. Thats what we do that stuff for anyways. Thank you to my wonderful brother Jesse who is a soldier in the army. Everytime I see a flag I think of him and all the wonderful people who defend the freedom we all enjoy!

family reunion

THis is the last night of our family reunion. Yes we are all dirty and had alot of fun. Do you ever look at pictures of your family and just think wow look how big everyone is getting. My little family is growing up. I love spending time with my family camping, when there is no distraction and no where to be it the best. Grandma did so much so we could have a fun family reunion at otter creek thank you grandma!!!

MOM turned "50" surprise!!

I love my mom. I am so lucky to have a young fabulous mom. She is really one of my best friends. I dont know how I would survive without her. For her 50th birthday we through her a surprise party. She is so much fun and put a smile on everyones faces around her, occasionally a woo hoo too.

Me and my sisters. We put the party together for my mom.

My fabulous mom, we thought she was on to us and then when she showed up in her running clothes, very little make up, ponytail and a smile we knew we had pulled it off!

The pavillion where we had her party. At first we thought we were going to get eaten alive by mosquitos than we realized they really liked the homemade rootbeer and moved it away from the party. They moved away also.

It was so fun all of her family was in town for my little brothers wedding. So they all got to be there to celebrate her. We love you mom, Your the BEST!!

randoms!!

Chayston what a kid. I told my grandma that she always gets her moneys worth with the christmas jammies she buys him. Uhhh I am thinking these are the ones he got when he was 5. Ha ha it makes me laugh. Because he loves them. I know your probably thinking that I should put them away when I change sizes or maybe seasons. But he is so content he never complains. Honestly two years ago I had to hide his super man pajamas. Because they were so little, but I kept putting them away and he would find them. He is a great boy. He wears whatever he is not picky. I am grateful for my easy going boy!!

Ella and Brady playing in a tupperware box. Ella is not much of a toy girl. She prefers to play with little empty plastic jars, anything with a lid she can take off and on. She is funny that way. Brady pushed her around in her box for awhile. He loves Ella most the time.

Just chillin in her box with her jammies and dont forget her shoes. She is obsesses with shoes. She usually has a pair on and two pair close by.

We did it again!!!

Saturday May 16th we ran the ogden marathon! Oh wow that is an amazing one. The views and scenery are amazing! When we started running up ogden canyon it was 28 degrees and when we finished it was about 80. IT was a beautiful day.

There is Kami all finished up!! Doesnt she look great you would never guess she just ran 26.2 miles.

There is me the last block runnin in I think you can tell I just ran 26.2 miles.

Almost to the finish line. Finishing time 4 hours 10 minutes. I took 20 minutes of my time. WOO HOO!!!

There is Kami finishing up. We worked so hard it all payed off. Thank you everyone for there love and support!! I couldnt do it without you(thank you Kami you are the greatest one ever)

Worth getting up for!!!!

Look at the view, who would expect to see this view in mid april. I know I want the sunshine just as much as you. But you got to admit that is an awesome view. Let the adventure begin:

Kami and I had a six mile run this morning at 7. We knew it would be cold and snowy. But it was a bit of an obstacle course. Snow covered trees that occasionally dump on you.

Dont forget your Running Buddy. Yesterday morning it was raining like crazy, we had to run ten miles in it. So we ran 5 miles, ran home changed into dry clothes and ran the next 5 miles. Long wet run, soaked all the way through. Me and Kami still did it. It feels the best when you are all finished. By the way this cute girl ROCKS!!! She is so tough. She is always doing her best and never complaining. She always inspires me to do better. She is so supportive and fun! She is mine though, so dont even try to take her. Thank you so much Kami for being the best and for putting up with me!

Throw in some large trees. Most you can leap over, these ones we had to walk around so we could climb over.

Some of the trail clear, other parts inches of snow. Look only one other person out enjoying this!So I am sorry you missed out on this beautiful morning. I wanted to share. thank goodness for camera phones. I look forward to many more adventures!

Weekend in St. george

gas $40, Hotel $60, Burger $1.59.
Not being able to stay awake 1 minute to eat your In and Out
Burger....... Priceless