Well, it's been over a year since I've written about anything on this blog. Yesterday I sat and watched the kids sit at the computer scrolling through the entire thing laughing and talking about all the memories I'd captured, reminiscing about all the fun they were having in the pictures and actually reading all of my captions and wanting to know further details about some occasions.  So, I've decided to keep going. This will be our family journal for as long as I have the strength and motivation to upload pictures and type things out. :) We're here to stay! (at least for now...)

a few cute moments...

Ava is the most amazing big sister!  She loves to teach Elle school and dance, and has even taught her to say her ABC's and how to count to 12.  I've never had a 2 year old able to do that.  It's all because of Ava.  Her first grade teacher wants to take her home with her.  In fact, lately I tease Ava that Miss Olson is probably planning out a way to kidnap her since it's almost the end of the year, so we practice self defense drills on how she's going to get out of her grasp. She thinks it's funny when I tell the story of how it will all go down. 

Here is just a small sample of the trinkets that Elle carries with her everywhere she goes.  This picture is what she brought down to breakfast the other morning. She is such a doll!

No matter where Andy is in the house, the kids find him and can't help themselves to climb all over him.  He is always so patient with them and is the best most fun dad ever!

POTTY TRAINED!!!

Elle with Shelle'

This little stinker potty trained herself! Now, I call her a stinker because I didn't really want this to happen yet...you see, we just surprised the kids with a Disneyland trip (we leave this Sunday), and so the timing of all of this is a little inopportune.  In fact, I've been trying my hardest to stall her, by still putting a diaper on her in the day, but she manages to get it off and put her cute princess underwear on once she's used the toilet.  She's been waking up with a dry diaper now for months, so I guess it's time.  Diapers are just easier (to me) than checking on a child every hour to see if they need to use the bathroom, aaaaaand and I'm kind of sad that I'm done changing them. Wow. I never thought I'd ever be saying that.  She is such a big girl now! She speaks in full, complete sentences and can now go to the bathroom all by herself?! Where has the time gone!?!? We love you Elanora Ellie pie!  Now, quit growing up so fast!

Taylor Joelle Designs

Ava was picked to be a model for a cute, little Utah based clothing company.  She had so much fun at the photo shoot, acting out a pretend birthday party.  One of the best parts of the day was when the owner told everyone they could keep the clothes they modeled.  Ava did such a good job smiling and posing. It was fun to be there to watch her.

Lake Powell Round 2

All 10 of us.

We had a great secluded spot.

Andy and I enjoying the view at the end of our hike.

Sandhill=workout

Andy in the bubble.

Andy and Will

Will is such an awesome wake boarder...even @ age 43!

I finally got some pics from Jen Allred, of our anual ADULTS ONLY trip to LP...yah...the trip where on one of our adventurous hikes my camera got dropped in the water!  We had a such a great time with the other 4 couples, and it was fun meeting a few new people too.  Our friend's brother started the huge "Powellooza", which is a 3 day party (watch it on youtube- it's nuts!) on the lake for college kids that have to pay a pretty penny to attend.  It was going to take place a few days after we went, so we got asked to haul down a few of the water toys they would be using...and give them a test run! Our favorite was the "hamster ball".  Once it is rolled up a big sand hill, you climb inside and strap yourself in.  Then you are let go to roll down the entire hill, turning over and over until it rolls into the water, which obviously floats and doesn't take in water. So, it is soooo scary, but soooo fun! I haven't laughed so hard as I did that day seeing everyone go down.  It was a blast! It was sure comforting to know we had Darren and Scott (both doctors-one being a surgeon) along with us on anything dangerous we did, just in case we needed medical attention :)...there were a few close calls. We did the usual late night card games, projector movies, boating/wake boarding all day long, hikes, dinners @ the marina.  We always come back needing another vacation because we play so hard, and don't get enough sleep.  Can't wait for next time!

...and then there were none.

Our third and last hamster died last night.  His name was Hammy.  We liked him a lot. He was one of the babies that the mom had last Spring.  He was pretty cute, I have to say.  He loved running on his wheel...like ALL NIGHT LONG sometimes.  It was almost kind of comforting to go check on the boys at night and hear that little wheel spinning, gave me a sense of security, like someone was awake doing their workout while the rest of us slept...kind of weird, I know, but I'll actually miss that. The kids loved getting him out of his cage and setting up obstacle courses for him where he was supposed to knock down action figures as he went.  He was loved for sure. The kids are a little sad, but are doing fine. :)  As for me, I think we're done with pets for a little while.

Live Nativity

We went to the Live Nativity in Fountain Green a few days before Christmas. It's quite close to mom and Lynn's house, so we had dinner with them first and then drove out. The little city of Fountain Green does such a great job with the whole thing. I love that you can feel the Spirit so strongly as you walk through the "city", and then once you come to the manger, I'm always brought to tears. We had cookies and hot chocolate afterwards. (I haven't had a camera for months, since mine got dropped in the water on our couples Lake Powell trip. I'm still looking to buy one...so I'm glad my mom took these.) It was a great way to get us ready for Christmas.

Elle turns 2!

We went to Ephraim to be with my mom and Lynn over Elle's birthday, because Andy had his third and final (thank goodness) YM Campout the weekend of Aug. 4th. My mom was so great to take care of all of the details, we just got to show up and enjoy the cute little party...well, most of us were enjoying it...

She loved exploring Gramma's beautiful new backyard.

We spent a lot of time in the sandbox.

We were laughing so hard, because immediately when we started to sing "Happy Birthday", she lays her head down into her hands on the table and starts crying the saddest cry. She did not like the attention she was getting, so the other three had to blow out her candles for her.

She did like opening presents. My mom got her a cute little box of princess books, and a princess collapsable tent (which she plays in EVERYDAY).

After lunch we had cake and ice cream, then we headed into Manti to swim at their brand new city pool. It's so nice!

Two bugs in a rug.

We love the Manti pool! It has a waterslide, lazy river, great kids area, and it's never very crowded.   Plus it is RIGHT across the street from the temple, so you can sit and look at it while you swim.

Thanks, Gramma Stratford, for making her birthday a special one, and for letting us come and stay a few nights! We had a great time!

Back To School

Ava-1st grade with Miss Olsen and Cael-4th grade with Mrs. Dietz. They both had a great first day of school, and are excited for tomorrow. Elle and Will and I were so happy to see them when they got home this afteroon.

Elle has pretty much taken over Ava's barbie house. She tries to find any willing person to come downstairs to play...she'll ask you, "bah-bee's?" It's the cutest.

I never dreamed I would have someone like Andy to be my husband, and the father to my children. Before I ever met him, I always sort of wished there was someone like him out there, but didn't think it was really possible that I'd ever find him, and get EVERYTHING I ever wanted on my "list". He far exceeds every expectation I ever had. He really is the most amazing man, and I love him so much. One of the many things that I love about him is how once he's home from work, he's ready to play with the kids...and they know it too! From buckin' bronco rides, to jumping on the tramp, to bike rides, to shooting hoops, to helping with home work, to changing a diaper...Whatever sounds fun, or needs to be done at the moment, he's on it. He makes life so wonderful for all of us, and I'm grateful everyday of my life that I have him with me for now and for eternity.

The Cabin

BB gun target practice

Sitting around the fire...

Making leaf tracings

I love when the kids get into "cowboy" mode, and have to talk, dress, and act like they are in a Western.  It's so fun to eavesdrop on them. :)

Best buds- Cael & Max