Zach's Baptism/Birthday Party

Zach has never been huge on having a ton of the neighbor kids over for a birthday party....he is more like give me my cousins (who he calls his best friends) and a couple of my good friends and I am happy.   I love this boy and the fact that he wants to be so close to my brothers/sister kids...

We did a real last minute cake because up until 4 days before zach's party he didn't know what kind of cake he wanted....then when he decided on degedar's...mommy had to figure out what the heck those were!!!!

 Zach with his best friends Drew, Carter, and Whitney

 Zach's friend Drew and his family drove down from fresno to spend the weekend and we had so much fun!!!We miss them so much!

 Carter is my brother Erics son and Zach really loves hanging out with him!  Whitney my brother Steven's daughter is who Zach calls his best friend!!!!   He really hates not living close to them!!!!!

 Look at that smile:)

 Aunt Brin and Uncle Stephen gave Zach a tie...

We had a great time celebrating with all of the family that made it out here for Zach's 8th Birthday

Zach's Baptism

It is really hard to believe that my boy is 8 years old.  We were able to do his baptism in the middle of March so that most of our family could be there.  I am so grateful for a husband who is worthy to hold the priesthood so that he can baptize our son.  We are so very proud of Zach and the young man that he is turning into.

We didn't do any family pictures with everyone who was there...but Zach had the relief society room so crowded that they kept asking if we wanted to move it into the chapel.  Zach there are so many people who love you and who came to share your special day;)

Ashlyn

My sweet baby girl turned 6 a week ago.  I can't believe she is almost done with kindergarten.  This girl is so fun spirited!  Ashlyn is always asking if she can help!   She loves helping with her little brother and loves playing with her sister, but the funniest is always watching her try to BE zach.  She wants to do EVERYTHING that her big brother does.  I took zach to disneyland with some friends...then two weeks later took JUST ASHLYN to disneyland and all I heard from her that day is did zach go on that ride?  then I'll go on it.  Did Zach have a churro? etc.  She is so funny!  She has even been on Tower of Terror three times because she doesn't want to be labeled as a little kid.  The first two times she was crying so bad I had to carry her off the ride literally...but she still goes on it because all of the big kids go on it!!!!!!  Ashlyn is a very determined little monkey.  She gets a homework packet every week and sits down at the counter once she gets home from school on monday and does the whole packet;)
There are so many things I love about this girl...but mostly I just love her and the sweet tender spirit that she is in our home!

This girl will forever be her daddy's little girl:)  We love you Ashlyn!!!!!!\

Hawaiian day at school and ashlyn got all decked out, and when her teacher didn't pick her to get a prize she came home and said whatever mom it was rigged!

Ashlyn has always had a LOVE for clothes...in fact that is what she asks for every year instead of toys from her friends....since she was 3;)  Now she just has a new love for a little store called Justice!

My Ashlyn is getting ready for recital this weekend and then another recital in June followed by competition in July....this is her favorite time of year!!!!!!!

Ashlyn with her good friend Elle and her tinkerbell cake:) 

Ashlyn wanted a real low key party at chuck e cheese's this year with a couple of our friends...it was so much fun!!!!!  I made her a tinkerbell cake and we had lunch there and just let the kids run wild;)

My Man

I sit here tonight and think of what a great weekend I had this last weekend.  Wil and I had a chance to spend some time together trying a new little hobby (disc golf),


and we spent a lot of time just being together...what a relaxing and fun weekend it was!!!!!!

I cherish the time that I get to spend with Wil alone:)  We don't get very much time together because the moment he walks in the door after being gone a while the kids are all fighting for some attention!!!!  So...when we do have time to get out and do something together I always have so much fun...
One of the hardest things is having him gone so much for work!  I am so truly grateful for all of the hard work that he puts in so that I can stay home with the kids and I admire him so much for all that he takes on.  I know that it can't be easy being away from your family a lot.  What a strong man he is.  I am grateful for the example he is to my boys...that they one day will be hard workers like their daddy.
I feel truly blessed to be married to this man:)

I LOVE YOU WIL

Zach

I can't even believe that my oldest is going to be 8 in the morning...I love this boy so much and Wil and I are so happy with the choice he is making to be baptized this weekend.   Zach has the sweetest spirit.  Zach is the BEST big brother that anyone could ask for!  He is always there to harass and tease his sisters;)  and he is such a good helper with Nate.  We truly were blessed to have Zach first.  Zach is so smart and when it comes to science and history he is definitely in his element (can't say he gets that from me...)  I get to help in Zach's class once a week and I always love my days with him.  He gets excited when I walk in the classroom (and I know that one day this excitement will end...but for now I am loving it)  Zach your dad and I love you so much!  We are very blessed to have you in our family.  We hope that you continue to be the sweet and kind person that you are now.  WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!  Happy 8th Birthday to our Zachy Man

Mady turns 4

I can't even believe that my Mady is 4 now.  Mady is the most fun loving happy go lucky kid that you could ever meet.  She is constantly making us smile and laugh!  Mady loves the smurfs and so we did a smurfette party.  Mady had a few of her closest friends over to celebrate with us.  Oh mady how we love you!!!!  Thank you for always being such a sweet little girl;)









This look on mady's face is pretty much her on a daily basis...happy and having a great time with friends:)

Your dad and I are so proud of you mady, we hope that you always feel loved and that you remember how special you are to us!!!

Happy 1st birthday Nate

I am a little late at posting this since nate's birthday was on jan. 2nd!!! Oh well, better late then never. This birthday was a little bitter sweet for me. Knowing that it is the last baby is a good thing, but also makes me a little sad that we are out of the baby stage;(. My sweet Nate boy, you make me smile every day. I feel so blessed to have you in our family. Your laugh is contagious. Your daddy and I love watching you learn new things and try new things. Your brother and sisters are in Awe of you. I can already see a bond between you and zach and am so excited for you boys to grow up as best friends. I love that you will still let me hold you while you drink your bottle and that you crawl around the house saying mama all day melts my heart. There is a saying I came across recently that sums it all up. There is this boy who kind of stole my heart.... He calls me mom! I love you baby boy! Happy birthday my sweet boy.


We were so happy when Nate was born...such a long trying pregnancy and an even LONGER labor/delivery.  He had to go in the NICU for about a week, but was very healthy for 4 weeks early.

One happy daddy to get to hold his baby boy.

Can't say thanks enough to his NICU dr. who was always checking in on Nate.

This is one of those pictures that I will cherish forever...the look on Zach's, Ashlyn's, and Mady's faces when they finally got to see their baby brother for the first time.  The nurse that took care of him was so sweet to let them help push him out the door!  I'll never forget the day we brought him home and finally felt like our family was complete!
 Baby boy loves the water like his big brother Zach.


Every boy should get to be a pirate at least once;)

Love this happy boy

His very first trip to disneyland

Nate's first haircut was just a couple of weeks before his first birthday;)  WE LOVE YOU NATE!!!!

I'll post pictures from the big carnival birthday party later!