Pocket Full of Sunshine

Our little Shae, which we often refer to as Sunshine, is getting to be quite the little stinker! Now that she is four, she is very OLD and mature and she reminds us of that daily. Last night after I put Haylie and Tinley to bed I was paying some bills downstairs. Shaelee kept running in the office and reporting on Haylie...it went something like this.......

Shae: "Mom, Haylie can't sleep" or "Mom, Haylie really needs you to lay by her".

This happened about 200 times and each time I patiently (yeah right!) said....

me: Shae, leave your sister alone and she will fall asleep.

Of course Shaelee didn't and when I finally finished my business downstairs Haylie was still awake. Shaelee wanted to go in and check on her again, when I said......

me: SHAE IF YOU GO IN THERE ONE MORE TIME YOU ARE IN SOOOOOOOO MUCH TROUBLE.

Shae: I'm going to tell....

me: Oh yeah, who are you going to tell?

Shae: Tinley (who was already asleep on the top bunk)

me: If you step one foot in that room you will get hot sauce!! (the ultimate threat in our house!)

Shae: (hand on hips and doing the home-girl head bob) I won't walk in, I will just put my head in and tell her!

I must admit that was pretty cleaver. She is getting way too smart for me. If she is figuring out these loop holes already, what am I going to do when she is 16!?!

Oh, How I Love the Holidays!

The Elf on the Shelf...he keeps my kids in line! He appears in December and lives on our shelf. Each night after we are asleep he goes back to the North Pole and reports to Santa about the day. Each morning he is in a new spot, so my kids had to find him. He is magic, so they can't touch him, but they could whisper what they wanted for Christmas and he would let Santa know. Oh, how I love our little elf we named Griddle.

The Tree

The Stockings Were Hung

Christmas Jammies!

The Reindeer's' Treats! Christmas Day

Grandma and Grandpa got them each a sleeping bag with their name on it. They have slept in them every night. It has been one big slumber party!

Playing in the snow

And it can be tough work sometimes!

Shaelee's big party at the bowling alley

Unwrapping the goods!

Happy Birthday to me!!

The Loveland's threw the best New Year's party ever! Lots of good food and games...who could ask for more?!

Happy New Year!

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!!!