Another Year

This year, with the new opening of Chick-fil-a, Neil had to work so I braved the strong wind and cold rain and spent 26 hours in the Chick-fil-a parking lot! It didn't feel worth it at the time, but now that we have the 52 free coupons, it was worth every hour! It is now the kids' favorite place to eat and play. We still haven't gotten sick of it and will continue to go back again and again! If you know EmmaLee, then you know that she LOVES babies! We had the chance to watch my great nephew one morning, and EmmaLee just couldn't wait to hold him! So I know it's not quite Easter yet, but my kids were running out of church clothes, or I guess wearing out their old ones, especially Carter! It was time to invest some money into more church clothes, so that they too can get worn out. However we found a great deal on this suit at Ross for $13.99! EmmaLee turned 5 this year and wanted to take a treat to her preschool. These days everything has to be store bought so we bought Ding Dongs and Juice. Her theme this year for her birthday was pink stars so I put a star on every cake and juice. She was so happy to share with all of her preschool friends! We celebrated her actual birthday at Chick-fil-a (She chose it, not me!!) And then she wanted ice cream at Leatherby's, so we had her pick out a scoop. She chose play dough ice cream and we got it To Go. I can't believe that she's already 5! I still remember the 17 hours of labor and wanting so badly to get her out before April fools day. I just barely made it by 13 mins! It was a very long day, but well worth it! She is my sweetest girl and I really mean SWEET! We got to have two parties for her this year, one for my family (those who could make it and who live in Utah) and one for Neil's family. This is her anxiously awaiting for her guests to arrive! We had a BBQ and I did princess cupcakes, everything turned out great, except the whipped cream frosting didn't whip the way I wanted. However it was delicious still! This is her cousins Alex, Brylie and Indie. Cousin Justin, Uncle Michael, and Uncle Bob Cousin Travis, Dad, Cousin Bryan and Harrison. Uncle Dave, Aunt Judy, Aunt Jennifer and Aunt Jodie This is me and my niece Val, or EmmaLee's Cousin Val This is the cake I make for EmmaLee's party for the Scott family. It was just like the one I made last year, but I wasn't creative enough to think of another one. But I love the way this one turns out and it's such a girl cake! I forgot my camera so this is the only picture that I got. She had a great birthday and we are so blessed to have such great family and friends!!

Awaiting Spring!

So I have to admit... I'm not a huge fan of the winter, especially the months of January and February! That's mostly why I haven't published anything on my blog for a little while, because I swear the cold and snow does bad things to my brain! I seriously have a hard time functioning 100% in the winter. I somehow need to get over this, since I've lived here all of my life! I swear everyone got sick this year, and somehow I luckily escaped. Neil caught the flu, worse than he had ever had in his life! Carter, well anytime he gets sick.. it's really bad with his RAD. The doctors told me that I should expect a small and simple cold to last him 3 weeks! So, that we did in January, and in February, which he is still having a hard time getting rid of this last one. He also had such a bad ear infection that one of his ear tubes was pushed out by all of the fluids. Poor boy, he seriously has had a rough time this winter. EmmaLee also got a few colds, but was able to get over them fairly quickly. Being stuck inside is no fun, can you see why I have troubles in winter? But the last few days there has been sunshine, and yesterday I woke up in the best mood! So, I thought I'd better catch up on blogging, because I don't want to forget all of the fun times I did have this winter. I'm not a hater, I promise! I do find happiness amongst all of the cold!


We got to go to the zoo! One of the kids' favorite things. Here they are with their good friend Hannah.



I got to go bowling with my brother, Joe, his wife Shannon and my Nephew Travis. I don't get to see them often and it was a ton of fun. Let's just say that I'm not the best bowler, so I definitely didn't win, but we had a great time hanging out!

Carter is now potty trained!! Yay! We have saved, already, a ton of money in diapers! I figured since I already had to stay in my house for the winter, that I'd better get him started. He has done really well, thank goodness! Potty training has to be one of the hardest jobs as a parent!

Matching hats! Our sweet friend Alyson made these for us, we love them!

Neil asked me to a dance for Valentines! All of his brothers got together and planned such a fun date. They made it seem like a high school dance, it was all secretive and we didn't know what we were doing, until they happened. They did such a great job, and even though at times the girls were embarrassed, it was the funnest dance date and valentines date that I had ever been on!

Here we are in our formals.. awaiting the unknown date!

Just like high school... so cute!

Of all places, they teased us and we went to La Frontera! You should have seen all of the looks we got from everyone! Imagine all of us adults showing up on Valentines Day in formals, and we're eating at La Frontera!! It was delicious of course, but just a little awkward! Gotta love them! Those in the picture are Jeremy and Jessie, Jill and Jeff, Neil and I and Ben and Amanda.

Chis and Kimberly!

After La Frontera, we were driven (in the ultimate.. red neck Limo! A whole other story!) to the church, where they had set it up just like a high school dance! They had decorations, they even had Erica draw a background and we took formal pictures by it. They thought of everything! It was so so sweet! It really was the best Valentines Date I've ever been on. It was so fun dancing and just acting silly! (I'll post those pics, when I get them)

This was Carter's life for a few weeks this winter.

EmmaLee got to go on a date with her Dad to Erica's Basketball game at Cyprus. They were playing in the playoffs and won this game! Go Cyprus!

The Fam after the game.

A fun date with Dad!

Neil and EmmaLee decided to build a Snowman... Sort of nontraditional, but cute!

Brr..

Neil took Carter to the REAL soccer game, and they had the best time! Carter loves sports just like his Dad and they got to hang out and watch REAL win. Before the game they had some time to spare so this is him at Jordan Commons.

Our next soccer star!

The Air We Breathe

Whenever Carter gets a cold it usually lasts a long time. Especially when the air we breathe here in Utah is so lovely at this time of year! Last year Carter got Bronchitis three times and they were worried that it was because he has asthma. Every time he got even a small cold, he would get a cough instantly and an ear infection to go with it! (Luckily and thankfully, the ear infections have gone away since we had ear tubes put in this past summer! It has been the best thing for him!) So now, when he gets a cold in the winter, not only does he get a cough, but a cough that lasts a long time and he starts having a hard time breathing. So, last night, I couldn't stand watching him sit there any more as I could hear every breath on the couch, and I took him into the urgent care. Carter did really well, but it was a VERY long wait. There is only so much a mom can do to keep a two year old happy in a tiny little room! But when we finally got to see the doctor, the first thing the doctor said was.. "Does he have asthma?" I told him that doctors keep bringing it up as a possibility, but he hasn't been officially diagnosed. But no matter what he has, he wasn't breathing well, so they put him back on breathing treatments with a mask (which has been very helpful) and some other medicines, which Carter hates and we have been struggling all night and day to get him to take them. But he is breathing and since then, his coughing has gone down significantly. Thank goodness for modern medicine, even if it's been a struggle for this little guy to take, I am very grateful! Let's just hope he can start sleeping again!

Oh What Fun We Had!

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at the Scott's house and we were SO Excited to open a package from Chad, who is on a mission in New York! On Christmas day, we were able to all individually talk to Chad, he is doing amazing, but how we miss him!


We had a gift exchange on Christmas Eve, and Neil got some new disc golf Frisbees... surprise, surprise! He, of course, loves them and can't wait to put them to good use!

The sweet Chris and Kimberly! They were lucky enough to head out to sunny California on Christmas. As I'm sure you can't hear the jealousy in my voice!

The also sweet, Ben and Amanda! We love them as neighbors!

Here is Neil's sister Heidi and her new fiance Jeff! Congratulations Heidi! We are super excited for you! Our nephew Ethan, is the other little guy!

Heidi was so sweet and bought Carter this sweet toy for his cars. It kept him entertained all night! He loves it!

Jill and I, we were waiting for everyone to get ready for the acting out of the Nativity. I didn't get very good pictures of it, so I didn't post them, but EmmaLee was Mary and Carter I think was a Wise man.

Here is all of us decked out in our New York attire that Chad sent to us! Thanks Chad!

That night we got home super late, so EmmaLee only had time to put out a few pieces of candy for Santa.

CHRISTMAS morning!! It was So fun this year! Our kids made it amazing! They slept in until almost 9:00! They were both so excited and it made everything worth it. Kids are the best!

Neil and his new watch. We searched online for forever for that! Behind is a magnet board that Neil put together for Carter. It took a lot more time to make than we thought, but it turned out great. I decorated it with letter's and numbers. Carter is loving it, and it's cute to see him recognize all the letters.

EmmaLee posing in a new outfit she got from Jennifer from Christmas! When she put it on, she said "I could be a model with this on!" Then this is how she posed!

EmmaLee got a new twin size bed, so Carter got her bed. He had been in a crib up until then! We got him some new sheets and he was so excited to sleep with his pillow pet and his Woody! EmmaLee was also very excited to get a new bed! She kept saying all night, "is it time to go to bed yet, I'm so tired?"

This is Neil and I before heading out on Christmas day.

Later, on Christmas night we spent dinner at my sister Jodie's house. It was delicious and fun to see everyone and their gifts.

Neil had a fun time playing with the kids!

My sister Jodie and I. Can't you tell we're sisters?

My parents drove down from Idaho and we were able to see them for a couple of hours that night. They had a busy day and tried to visit as many people as they could while they were down here. My poor Dad, you could tell he was in pain. I asked him about it and he said his knee was still bothering him. He has had a lot of pain in his legs and he even had a knee replacement, but the pain has never gone away. But he is the very last one to complain! I am the youngest of 10, and I know that he used to work three jobs to support all of his kids. I seriously never remember a day that he didn't go to work. Whenever he got hurt or sick, you would never know it. And my mom, having 10 kids at home, I don't know how she did it, she must have had a lot of patience. I remember her saying that there were nights when they'd barely get to see each other, so when the kids were all in bed they would go and get an ice cream, or something to spend time with each other. I just can't imagine all of the sacrifices they made to have a family with 10 kids. We didn't have much, but our needs were always taken care of. I will always be grateful for amazing parents and such an amazing family!

My New "Nephew"!

So, this sweet little guy, Carson Hunt was born on Christmas Eve, 2010. He has a very special place in our family's heart because the first day that EmmaLee found out that Laura was pregnant with him, EmmaLee made sure she, and each of us prayed for him every night. We thought of him daily and are so excited to have him here! In this picture, are the proud parents, Travis and Laura!


At only five pounds, this little bundle of joy is so small, yet so sweet! My sister Jodie and I went to visit. I'm going to call Carson my nephew... even though technically he isn't. Travis, is actually my nephew, but since he and Laura are more like a brother/sister to me, it's easier to explain that he's my nephew. I am actually his Great-Aunt!


Jodie and Carson

Babies are such a miracle! I can't wait to have more someday. There is something about them that make the world so much of a better place. Kids make the very best of times and also some of the worst! However, the very best out-weighs the bad.

Happy Birthday Carson!