Her Own Show?

Since Christmas and EmmaLee's birthday, she has added a few more babies to her collection. I tried to talk her into getting something else for her Birthday, but she insisted on another baby! She is now up to, I think, 14. Their names are as follows: Big baby is in the crib. Darby and Annie are in the high chair. She's holding Rose. Emma (named after her..) is in the stroller just to her left, then Cara next to her. Down below there is Alexis, Small Baby, June, lazy-eyed Sally, Heidi (named after her aunt Heidi who gave her the doll) Maddy, Kayla and then Maggie.

So, when should I call TLC? I could maybe get her on a show called 14 and counting? Or possibly Hoarders??

What can I say... She LOVES babies! And I have to admit she takes very good care of them all. They are in good hands! I always think of Toy Story, though. I'm worried that when she grows up, the poor babies are going to be so sad when she gives them all up!

March Madness!

So, even though I didn't predict the right NCAA Champion... I had my own March Madness! I
was able to go on a super fun trip with some of the girls in our neighborhood to Park City. It
was great to get away for a night to hang out with the girls! We of course ate lots of yummy food, stayed up late to talk, and went shopping! What more could girls ask for?

EmmaLee turned FOUR! Yes, four! I can't believe it! She is such a sweetie! Here is her first cake, that her Aunt Heidi made. Simply amazing! She LOVED it.

Time to open presents, her favorite part! She couldn't wait.

Ben and Amanda, Grandma and cousin Hannah

Uncle Chad and Aunt Heidi.. who made the amazing cake!

That night we celebrated Erica and EmmaLee's Birthday. Erica came up with lots of fun, Win it in a Minute games. If you've seen the show, then you'll know what I mean. They were challenging, but tons of fun!

Here is the cake, I made for EmmaLee's birthday when we celebrated it with some of my family. I saw it on the back of the M&M's package. I turned out pretty good... I thought!

I'm four!

Cousin Cody, Uncle Michael, Aunt Jodie, Uncle Bob and Aunt Judy.

Cousin Val, Laura and Travis!

All of the kids (and Amanda) hanging out in Em's room... getting out every toy they could find! Unfortunately this year it wasn't very warm outside, so they had to stay in. We made the best of it. Actually the day of Em's birthday it snowed like 6 inches!

Easter outfits! EmmaLee picked out this dress and if you ask her if she got it for her Birthday or for Easter, she'll just say that she got it at Costco! (Right, Mindy?!)

Easter Egg hunt at Grandma's. He wasn't interested in getting his picture taken, just filling up the bucket!

She found too much candy!

Green!

On St. Patrick's day, it was absolutely beautiful weather!! And it was so fun to see all of the kids wearing green. I wasn't able to take a picture of all of the kids... but here is just a handful. They were too busy playing and enjoying the amazing weather... I can't blame them! Also that day we had a picnic, thanks to Chick-fil-a, who had a sweet deal!


Carter, Kohen, EmmaLee and Issak

McKay, who I tried to get into the picture! He liked his bike better!

I hardly ever get them to smile at the same time, so I was proud to get such a cute picture!

EmmaLee is turning four soon, so I wanted to get a picture of her to send out to the family. This is what I was able to get. Pretty cute if you ask me! I can't believe that she's almost four! Seriously, it's so weird to me! It's been so fun to watch her grow and to see her personality.

This is a typical day in the life of Em and Carter! EmmaLee has her baby (Big Baby that is!) all buckled up in the stroller and they are both eating their favorite snack... chips! What can I say, they take after their mom!

I LOVE Weddings!

What is it about weddings? I just love them! Every time I go, I just want to re-live mine over and over. Maybe it's that innocence of not knowing what life really is. You don't understand (well at least I didn't) what life really is like being a responsible adult. Taking care of children, insurance, cars, house, bills, school... the list goes on! And not only that, but that day is yours! And everything is planned around you. Weddings are just so much fun. We were so happy to be with Ben and Amanda on this very special day.


These are all of Neil's brothers, Dad and one brother-in-law.



This is their true personality!

The sister-in-laws, minus Amanda! (Well, I guess Kimberly is a future sista!)

All of Neil's Family.

The Adorable Couple... Amanda and Ben Scott!

All of the girls!

This is Carter's smile... when he says "I Luv YOU!"

Random pic, but I had to throw it in!

I guess that's why I can't go back to those days of innocence. My kids are everything, even though they don't appreciate a wedding like I do! I for sure would never trade them for that feeling.

The Haka

Our ward had a Talent show on February 20th. The Elder's did this for their talent... thanks to Halu in our ward! The funniest part about this video is Ben Homer crying and running away! Neil is on the far right.

Happy Birthday! and Never Ending Laundry!

It was Neil's Birthday over the weekend, so we decided to CELEBRATE! It was also, his friend Joel's birthday (they are a day apart) So we went out with some of our friends to Iggy's for dinner. Neil was surprised to see everyone there. Neil and Joel have been friends since High School, and they always tease that Neil is more experienced and so much OLDER! Happy Birthday Neil and Joel! (I won't disclose their ages... just in case!)

So, poor Carter, still is having a rough time! His ear didn't heal all of the way with the first dose of antibiotics, so they put him on a stronger one. However, with the stronger medicine, it did bad things to his stomach! Let's just say he can't keep anything down him, on both ends! I finally was so sick of cleaning the carpets, sanitizing his crib, toys, tub, clothes, everything... I took him in and luckily they said he could go off the stronger antibiotic, and keep just the ear drops. So, I'm trying to feed him yogurt and anything that will help him. The past three days, he probably has gone through five outfits per day. I've changed/washed his sheets and blankets on a daily, sometimes twice, basis. I've cleaned the carpet in multiple places around our house, and I'm almost out of carpet cleaner. Let's just say, it hasn't been the best around here the past few days. I feel so bad for Carter, poor thing! I just wish he could get better. I need him to get better for my emotional state also. I haven't been able to leave the house, in fear of him exploding or vomiting in the car. While we were at the doctor yesterday, he did explode everywhere, and I was kind of glad because then the doctor could see how it really was!


My pictures are out of order... but back to happy things...

Before going out to the surprise Birthday dinner!

At dinner, Nicole, Kohen and Andrew

The whole table! It was a ton of fun, thanks friends for making it a fun Birthday!

Catching up...

So the past few months have been filled trips to the doctor. At the end of January along with all of the other small colds, Carter had Bronchiolitis. He was wheezing, so they sent him home with a machine and medicine for him to do breathing treatments every 4-6 hours. When he finally got over that, just last Sunday we took him to urgent care because his ear drum burst, due to a bad ear infection and he is now currently on antibiotics. EmmaLee had a thousand colds also, and then recently she was waking up in the middle of the night having to go to the bathroom multiple times. I realized (almost too late) that she probably had a UTI. So I took her in to the doctor, and while we were there they said she also had an ear infection, and possible strep (but the test came back negative) So, they put her on antibiotics. Over the weekend, they cultured EmmaLee's strep, and it indeed came back positive and the next day I came down with it. I don't ever remember being in so much discomfort due to throat pain my whole life! Luckily, it didn't affect EmmaLee, the way I had it! I too, am now on antibiotics. I have grown a great appreciation for medicine! I don't know how people survived with out it.
As of now, Neil luckily has no symptoms or signs of any illness or infection. And because we're all taking antibiotics, we are free from passing on any dreaded sickness. It's been a long two months, but I'm hoping that because we're all getting the colds right now, that we'll be good to go for spring and summer!
So, on a lighter note...

My two cute kids!

This is a picture with some of my girlfriends. Chelly, Allison and Brooke. We always go out to dinner for birthdays. It's been a great tradition. I love seeing them every month! However, due to illnesses (those dreaded illnesses!) not everyone was able to make it, so to those of you who weren't able to make it, I wish you well!

Naomi, Jana and Mindy enjoying our fun dinner with the girls!

Here are the flowers that Neil got for me for Valentines! They were so long, I had EmmaLee stand by them to show! He got them for a great deal and couldn't pass up buying them. I LOVE fresh flowers, but sometimes, I would rather spend our money in other places. Since we're on a tight budget. However, because of the great deal it brought a smile to both of our faces! Thanks Neil!

Just recently two of Neil's brother's got engaged! So, to celebrate and welcome the soon to be sister-in-laws to the family, we surprised them and woke them up at 4:00 AM! Then we went to breakfast. It was really early, but worth all of the fun times!

L to R: Jill, Erica, Elener and Jessie

Heidi, Kimberly, Amanda and I. Kimberly and Amanda are joining our family soon, and we couldn't be happier! We love you girls!

Another super cute picture of my kids! Carter doesn't smile very well for the camera, so I was happy to get two good shots.

Nothing much..

So I haven't had the motivation lately to download my pictures on the computer, so those will have to come later. I guess January is one of those months where, at least in our family, not much goes on. Sometimes I get sad during these months because I NEED the sun! Yesterday I tried to go outside with my kids. The first time, Carter came inside crying because his hands were so cold, and he cried even more when his hands started warming up! (That kid, just won't keep his gloves on!) The second time I went out, EmmaLee came inside crying because her hands were super cold! All I can say, is that I tried. Gotta Love them though!
Here's to making it to February!