Babies, Sisters and Friends......... OH MY!!!!!

My Utah trip was awesome! All I was concerned about was taking care of my sister Tiffany, hanging out with my family and taking pictures. I got to do all of these things and by the length of this post you'll see I mean it. I had way to much fun with my camera. I have some adorable nieces and nephews that I really just couldn't resist. I had fun trying new things and learning new things about my camera. We had a few photo sessions and I was happy to see the kids just as excited and helpful to have there pictures taken. We had fun.

Isn't he adorable?! Cohen Warner was born April 20th. And he was 6lbs 15 oz. He was a shorty at 18 inches long. He was so much fun to hold and watch. Pretty content until mom wanted to nap then for some reason would find his lungs. He was very photogenic for such a little tike. I had fun snapping picture after picture of this sweet angel.




Tiffany is my youngest sister and sometimes I have a hard time not thinking of her as a little kid still. But she truly amazes me as a mother. Very loving and giving. And those kids listen to her. Something they wouldn't do for me. (I didn't mind though) She was just coming home from surgery and was having a hard time. But she was determined to have fun with us and not be left out. Sometimes I think she could handle anything.


My sister Mandy and Cohen. We all loved holding him.

Chris is a wonderful father and husband. It was fun to get to know him better on this trip.

So I was all dolled up. With Mandy (the hairdresser) there to do my hair and Natalie there to do my make-up I was set for the runways. Of course that wasn't going to happen so the front room would have to do. I went first and then it was Mandy's turn.

This is how our nights were spent. Siting down in front of the TV. Watching a girly flick. Laughing, taking pictures and eating chocolate. This was the best part of the trip. Just being with my family. My Aunt Linda was there also because she lives close to Tiffany. She is my mothers oldest sister. They are so fun to watch. They always act like they're 13 yr old when they get together. Always hugging on each other and giggling. I wonder if my sisters and I look like that to our kids. That's a funny thought. Anyway, I think they were the true entertainment.

On Sunday Natalie and I got to Temple Square while we were there. The flowers were gorgeous and the buildings amazing. It was a cold day though and we didn't have to long to dilly dally. I can't wait to go back. Very beautiful!

These are some pictures from the photo shoots that I had with the kids.

Anzlie was wonderful with the baby. She loved to help out her mom.

Landon is a very sweet boy. And funny. He reminded me a lot of my boys so I had a special place in my heart for him.

And this sweet little girl Ciera, stole my heart! I couldn't get enough of her. I would just follow her around thinking that I wanted one of those. My sister Mandy would do her hair so cute and I just wanted to kiss her and squeeze her and call her mine. She got sick while we were there with a high fever. And when she just wanted me to hold her it made my trip. I miss her.

Mandy's little man,Tyson! The youngest of the group. He was stuck to Mandy like glue. So very cute. A sweet personality full of wonder.

We had such a good time. But I was ready to get back to my kids and my life. I've never been away from them for this long. I'm glad I did it though. It's good to be away so you can appreciate what you have. I haven't told my husband this yet but we have started a tradition of getting together every year from here on out. Something that we can't deny ourselves anymore. I'm going to have to make that up to him somehow. I will! I promise Honey. You were wonderful through all of this and I thank you!

Ok! Now it's your turn!

Babies, sisters and friends..........OH MY!

Sorry it's been so long. But I had 2 trips back to back that left me to busy to blog. But I'm back and fully recovered and cant wait to show you all my pictures. Both trips went perfectly. Don was awesome with the kids and taking care of everything while I was gone. I'm so grateful to have him. After he excepted all of this I think he was just as excited as I was. Which just means I wont feel so guilty for next time.Hee hee!

The first trip to Ohio was nothing less then extraordinary. It's not every day that you witness miracles. I was fortunate enough to be there for my sister (in-law) while she delivered her first child. Having done this 4 times myself, I always wondered why people always acted like it was such a phenomenon. I think when you have 9 months to prepare yourself for that exact moment and your working and focusing so hard to just get the baby out already, it takes away from the "phenomenon" your so much a part of. It's not that I took it for granted before this, just that now I understand it from a different perspective and it is amazing. It's more of an awesome site when you don't have to work for it. (I hope I explained myself alright. I don't want to be getting any hate comments) Hayden Avery was born on April 15 and she was 8 pounds, 5 ounces. She had a very full head of hair. And the most beautiful skin I've ever seen. She is absolutely gorgeous. I got to hold her and and then hand her to her fabulous mother after the nurses cleaned her up for the first time. SO AWESOME!!!. Kari was amazing. She had to push for 3 hours and I could see her losing endurance. She was exhausted but she never complained. She took it like a trooper. Singing along to the country songs in the back ground between pushes. Funny, right? She is an amazing mother already. (I knew she would be) She asked me to be there for her to help out but she really didn't need me. She knew what to do. I just was there to encourage her. Maternal instincts are another miracle all on it's own. I am so proud of her. Thanks again Kari.

Before her first bath at home.







Home for the first time. Zion, their puppy, was so excited to greet her new sister with a kiss.

I also got to see some old High School friends while I was there. My trip was short, so my visits with them were also short. I really wish I had the time to really enjoy everybody on a more intimate level but I'll just have to save that for next time. I took my camera with me when I went to meet up with my gal pals Emily and Becky. We met at a park so their kidos could play and have fun while we caught up on the last 15yrs. YIKES! That just made me sound really old. Anyway, The setting was perfect for pictures. The sun, a playground and happy children. What could be better. These pics are for you guys. I love you!

Tomorrow the second part of my trip. It was a sister fest. With all of my sisters and my mother and her sister. A very girly weekend. Every girl should have one of these. It's just that fun!

Happy Easter!

Our Easter was cold and rainy. It Rained all day. I was so bummed because I got the boys the cutest outfits to take wonderful Easter pictures in. You know, the ones where they are outside searching for Easter eggs with their baskets. Layton wont be doing these types of things much longer so I feel like I am running out of time. He already seems to be humoring me to say the least. But the weather had different plans. Cold , rainy and very windy. I couldn't have even faked it if I wanted to. So pictures were taken inside. And I wasn't feeling inspired in anyway. And the kids just wanted to eat their candy. Posing for pictures was last on their list of things to do. Don always hides the baskets for the kids. A little tradition he is continuing from his childhood. He always does way to good of a job and they always seem to get discouraged. I usually brake down and give them a hint and Don gets mad at me like I ruined the fun. My hints do normally send them straight to it but I just can't seem to help myself. Most of the candy is already gone. I don't think they had a real meal until dinner. There aren't many days where they can get away with eating candy for lunch. All in all, it was a fun family day.

The sister for the day! (A little note for Tiffany)

Hey, Tiff! I've been anticipating your birthday all week. I knew it was coming and I made a mental note to remember for your sake. Yesterday was one of those busy days. Lots to do and get done before I leave to go out of town. But I was amazed at how often my thought turned to you. Just mental flashbacks of childhood memories. Random thoughts of the time we will be spending together here soon and the excitement that would follow. And then that would send me wondering how you were holding up and how you were feeling. It happened for most of the day and I hadn't really put 2 and 2 together until I was talking to mom. She happened to mention that it was your birthday and my heart sunk. I scolded myself for missing it. For not taking better precautions to insure this wouldn't happen. What gets me the most though is my subconscious was trying to tell me and yet I was to busy to listen. At least I was thinking of you on your special day. So in a way I felt closer to you. Which I am grateful for. I miss you and long to be with you. Another reason why I was thinking of you so much yesterday, I'm sure. I hope it was a good day. Heaven knows you deserve it. One of the things I admire most in you is how Strong you are. It hasn't been easy for you with your health and also the kids health. But you seem to take it all in stride. With a smile even. I admire that. I love you Tiffany. I can't wait to see you and get my fill of you. I don't see you nearly as much as needed so I have to stock up when I can.. Happy, Happy birthday! I love you so much!! See you soon!!!!!!!

Spring has come!!!!

This is how I know it's warm outside. When I'm wondering where my two younger ones are and I look outside to see them in barely nothing playing in the woods. It's a cute sight to see but I have to be honest. I'm tired of trying to keep them clean and inside. I have always loved the spring time. It's my favorite time of year. And the weather is the best part. Not to cold not to hot. But now I find myself excited for the cooler days or rainy days. So I don't have to give the boys a bath 3 times a day. How sad is that. Boys will be boys, I know!! Man, I guess if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Next you'll see pictures of me playing in the mud!!!!

HAHAHA!!!........right!.....Sorry! That would never happen. But I have been known to play in the rain from time to time. Now THAT is what I call fun! That will be the next photo shot for sure!

These pictures were taken after the first bath.

Brigham and all his different faces. He was telling me something but I have no idea what. I was completely mesmerized by his angelic face to recall anything.

And this is after the second bath!

Such busy little boys. But oh how I love them!!! We broke down and got locks for all the doors. It has gotten a lot easier. They hate it but I LOVE it!

Just for you Dad!

As a gift for my Father on his Birthday I decided to give him one of my favorite memories. I also know that this is one of his favorites because it's a classic. However, I'm not sure if he has ever herd me tell it before. I'm expecting that this will be fun for him. So here we go.......................... MY 16TH BIRTHDAY!!!!

I am the oldest in my family so it was a big deal when I was legal to drive. Obviously for me but just as much for my parents. I was grateful that my father was just as excited to get me a car as I was to get one. Our priorities were a bit different however. I was looking for something more like a Honda Accord with maybe 5 years under its hood. And my Dad was looking for something that was 2 bolts away from dumpsterville. He found it..........A Volkswagen bug that was in serious need of some help. He seemed to be very confident in his abilities to fix it up just right for me. I on the other hand wasn't so confident. But being the good daughter that I was I didn't want to shatter his excitement. So I went along with a smile. And in all honesty, the thing that kept me going was the fun, cute look that a valkswagen bug has. Something different. Why be like every body else right? So it was bought. My Dad decided that my birthday was a perfect time to go pick it up. We piled everybody in the mini van and headed for the freeway to down town Columbus. When we got there the green bug was parked in back of an old house with grass growing around it like it hadn't been moved in years. It wasn't the best way to sell the thing to me. I was a little nervous to be driving it. Anyway, The next thing I remember is my Father driving, me in the passengers seat next to him and my sister Natalie in the back seat on our way back home. My mother and the rest of my family were following behind us in the Mini Van. It was dark by this time and it started to rain. Once we got on the freeway my Dad put the wipers on which failed to work. The car would barley go up to 50 mph. And when it did it sounded like it was being tortured to say the least. We pulled off of our exit and as we did so, my mother behind us starts honking her horn over and over again frantically trying to get our attention. When my Dad looked behind him all he could see were flames. THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE!!!!!!!! He pulled the car over immediately and yelled at the 2 of us to get out of the car. My poor sister was in the back closest to the fire and trapped behind the two front seats that were refusing to cooperate and move forward. My Dad scrambled to get her out and then ran to the back of the car to the engine. He pulled up the tiny little hood and flames started bursting out at him. He took his jacket off and started hitting at the flames to smother them out. Meanwhile my mother runs to the nearest restaurant and calls 911. My father succeeds in smothering the flames, with some help from the rain I'm sure, just in time for a big fire truck to arrive. It looked to me like my father was a bit embarrassed standing next to the engine shifting his weight a lot while talking with the firemen. Later I found out that the tags on the licence plates were expired and he was worried they might find out. I was watching all of this from the inside of the mini van wondering what was being said . All of the sudden they all start looking around on the ground obviously looking for something. This is when I noticed a few very good looking firemen and decided that they obviously needed my help. When I got out into the rain I asked what was going on. Apparently my Dad had put the key in his jacket before he started trowing it around, thrashing it against the flames. The Key had to have fallen out of the jacket, on to the street or near by. Everybody was helping to search for a shinny metal thing in the dark and the rain. As I was helping to do the same I was excited when a few of the "cute" firemen wished me happy birthday with a sympathetic smile. I don't even remember if we found the key or not. This tragic night turned out wonderful in my eyes after that. Best birthday ever as far as I was concerned at that point. A tow truck was called and I rode with my dad in the tow truck as we headed home. Soaking wet and a little worried about my future car, I gave my Dad a big hug. My 16th birthday adventure was over. But that wasn't the end for my little green bug. My dad kept his promise and made it perfect. Well perfect enough for me anyway. And there are many many more adventures that I had in that little green thing. I loved every minute of my time spent in My bug. It was a great car.

So there you have it Dad. My version of the story. I know that you tell it so much better then me and maybe now you have a little bit more to add when telling this classic tale to others. Thanks for the memories Dad. I had a wonderful childhood filled with love and adventure. What more could I ever ask for. Your my Hero! Then, now and always! Happy Birthday!!!!