Happy Birthday Shae Shae!!

I can't believe that my little sunshine is 4 years old. Time really does fly when you are having fun!! Our family is sooo blessed to have Shaelee! My cute little princess almost did not make it when she was born. It was the worst 3 weeks of my life, but it was well worth all of it, to get our beautiful, healthy sunshine! So here are the 4 things that I love about Shaelee.....

1. I love how she sings everything! She will sing about brushing her teeth or painting a picture...anything her cute little mind is thinking about.

2. I love her firey attitude. I am convinced that she would have not survived had she not had the personality she does. At times, I get overwhelmed and frustrated with her, but I just have to remind myself that being the third girl has got to be a challenge in life and she is handling it the best she knows how!

3. I love her teeth. We have put so many countless hours and dollars into that mouth and the few teeth that she has left as just so darn cute. I love it when she is in one of her moods and smiles really big. I think she looks like a little vampire ready to pounce!

4. I love how she is a survivor! I am eternally indebted to Shaelee for the sacrifice she made for Brandon and I. Her birth was so hard and heart-wrenching, but I would not take any of it back. She made me a kinder, better mother and it helped me realize the important things in life, not the superficial things. But most of all, she helped my testimony grow in ways that I did not know possible. I have never had to count on Jesus Christ, my brother and Savior more than when she was born and had it not been for my little sunshine, I would not be where I am today...so Shae thank you does not even come close, but being the best mom I know how will hopefully come close to repaying you for all you have done for me!!

Shaelee, you are one of a kind! You make our house so much fun! We love you so much...and keep on smiling!

Christmas Village

Brandon and I have been trying to be better about doing FHE every week. So, when I found this "mini village" on black Friday I was so excited to show the girls. I knew they would love it. Well, the word mini does not do it justice. It wasn't mini, it was microscopic!! But, luckily their little hands created some oohhh so cute houses!!


Brandon and Haylie in action.....(he said that he had to make sure the houses were well insulted and energy efficient).


Shae was in charge of Quality Control..... (something must have been wrong with that one)

The Masterpieces....

Haylie would like to invite you for a relaxing day at her new residence, The Serenity Chapel......

Tinley would like to offer you a sweet treat at her latest creation, The Candy Cottage.....

Come sit by the fire and visit for hours with Shaelee at her Cozy Chalet...



And last but not least....(no it is not an outhouse, although we did try to think of everything), kick your feet up after a long day on the slops at Brandon's Snowbound Suite......

Our Over Night Visitor

Have you ever been in your living room with all of your kids and you look around and wonder who is missing? I hate that feeling because usually that means it is that time again....you know, the one where you have to start thinking about having another bundle of joy. But I am getting old and my body and sanity are just not like they used to be, so I decided that I needed to take a test drive. So, I borrowed my friend's 2 week old baby boy (I know, I can't believe she let me), and I am so glad she did. It was complete bliss. The kids absolutely loved him! He was so good for us and even slept 5 hours straight! My kids never did that. But, I am happy to report that my baby hunger was filled. I am not having anymore! It wasn't the sleepless night or the spit up, it was all the paraphernalia that comes with it! It is so nice to have my hands free when I walk to the car. I don't miss the huge car seat carriers and the diaper bag as big as your head! So, I have decided that I am going to borrow Casen whenever necessary!

Our Fearless Hunter is now 2!!

Bode had a great birthday with tons and friends and family! Everyone was so generous and he got tons of loot! Brandon made cake and it turned out better than I could have imagined!! It was a great day!!

The creation.

The best Uncle Ever!!!

Brandon's masterpiece.

Time to make a wish!

Some of his loot that he wears 24/7.

Grandma and Grandpa got him this awesome gun! Now he is ready to go spot lightin' with Dad!!

Happy Birthday Bode!!!

Fall and winter are such busy birthday times for our family! I can't believe that my little man is already 2 years old. He is such a great kid! Here are 2 things that I love about Bode....

1. His laugh. Oh my is it funny! He has this deep chuckle that rolls from his tummy and fills the room. We all love to throw him in the air because he laughs so hard that we end up wanting to pee our pants it is so funny!

2. His crazy personality. He is ALL boy! I thought my girls were loud, boy I was wrong! Bode is hilarious. He is always getting into something and tearing things apart. It is so fun to watch his mischievous, curious side. Another thing I love about him is when he calls me "Carie" and Brandon "Brandon", instead of mom and dad! What a goof ball!

We love you Bode and happy birthday big boy!!!

Have You Ever Looked Guilt In The Eyes?

Every night Tinley and I read a book together for homework. Usually Shaelee and Bode are climbing all over us and jumping up and down, but on this particular night it was very quiet. I should have known something was going on, but I was so engrossed in the book (you know the one about Chick and Pip and the Beastie) that I did not notice. This is what I found..... (don't forget to pause my music)



He eventually fessed up. But I must admit he is a genius, did you see that "T" and at such a young age. He must get it from his mother!!

Also, I now have 3 men in my life!! Of course you know the first two, but this third one gives me something that neither one can. He is clean, smells good and works super hard. He is always helping me around the house and leaves me with that oohhh so good feeling of cleanliness! He is..........

MR. CLEAN!!

Halloween Week In Review

Bode has discovered sunglasses. Unfortunately the only ones he has access to are girl glasses. Maybe he will get a new "big boy" pair for his birthday!

We went to Grandma Matthews for FHE. Geanie and I filmed and interviewed her and it was so much fun. We heard lots of fun stories. Geanie made the cutest cupcakes (she is such a Betty), but I am so sad that I did not get a picture of it!!

Geanie and Jessica threw a Halloween party for our kids! It was so fun!! They had face painting, pumpkin painting, donuts on a string, and tons of good food and games!

The kids were digging for candy!!

Bode found these cute glasses (they were my friend Kristen's) and he did not want to give them up!! Do you blame him??

Minnie Mouse

Devilish Angel

Coffin Bride

Coffin Bride again!

The whole gang!

Bode would not wear his hood or smile.....so this is the best picture we got.

Pumpkin Fun!!

We had today off and this is what we decided to do......

Haylie the Basketball Star

Tinley the Sparkle Fairy

Shaelee the Fairy Princess

Bode the Super Boy

All the latest happenings!

I had a birthday.....

....and Geanie threw me a party....

.... and I got a head massage (ohhhh yeah)...thanks Jen.......

....Haylie had a party.....

....and Aunt Jer (as we call her) rocked out at it....

....and it snowed, and it snowed, and it snowed.......

....and Brandon and the kids made Frosty....

....and Haylie had another party....

....and I made a cake (which is a big deal, it totally stressed me out, we were snowed in, so I ran to the gas station and this is what we came up with!!)...

...and Shaelee fell asleep while I blogged....

THE END!

Vegas Baby!!!

Janet got Geanie and I tickets to Vegas for our birthdays...and it was fun. Even though it looks like there was alcohol involved, I swear there wasn't!!!


We wear them well!!!

Oooohhhh yeah....everyone loves a good pair of beer goggles.

I am posting this picture not because of the totally so super cute Elvis costume I wanted to get Bode for 100 bones, but to show the world my favorite tour guide! See the girl on the left corner of the picture. Yeah, the one in the blue shirt...that is the only picture I got of her. Jerolyn chauffeured us all over the place. She was the greats hostess ever...thanks Jer!!

So precious!!

Isn't that pretty!

Thank you......thank you very much! On a side note, this random guy jumped in our picture....what the ?!!!

Cha-ching! Momma needs a new pair of shoes!!

Via la France!

That's one BIG M&M...you know what they say about the green ones!

Cheese!

Cheese again!

Mara's first ride in the sky!!!