Family Pictures 2012

Anyone with kids knows exactly how our family pictures went this year. I am so happy with all of them and so happy we are done for another year! These pictures really do show all my kids personalities so well, I know I am there mom and am extremely partial, but... what handsome boys I have and such an adorable daughter, love them all!

A few Brynlee funnies

Brynlee is the neighborhood social bee. She has made friends with all of her brothers friends and any older girls around the neighborhood, but it doesn't stop there, even the adults get graced by her presence a couple times a week. Neighbor's on both sides often hear little knocks on the door asking if they can play. Thank goodness all my neighbors are good sports and love her. She usually comes home with candy, stickers or toys there kids have grown out of.

She is often over at my neighbor Wendy's (Mindy is her real name but Brynlee insists on Wendy) house who has all three of her kids in college. Her son Max lives at home and she has become his buddy. The other day Max was downstairs asleep in his room and Brynlee heads downstairs and tells him he needs to get up and do the dishes because his mom said, he got up, came up stairs and Mindy asked him what was going on and he said Brynlee told me you said to do the dishes, Mindy laughed. Brynlee pulled one over on him.

She also went and knocked on there door and told Max to tell his mom that there was a party in her room. Max told her that Mindy wasn't home, Brynlee said tell her right when she gets home and remember it's a girl party, no boys allowed! Later that evening I hear a knock on our door and it is Mindy with Brynlee coming over to the party, we all had a good laugh when she realized I had no clue. Brynlee dressed up in all sorts of princess dresses and did "nastic" (gymnastics) moves for us. The party was a success!

We have signed Brynlee up for gymnastics and she loves it! She really needed something for just her to do, so the twins and I wait patiently for an hour every week while she tumbles her little heart out! Really I think the most exciting part for her is getting a leotard and wearing cute skirts and stuff, she's my daughter!

  At Mindy's helping with the laundry. She loves to fold towels.

Making rasberry jam at Mindy's!

I love having her around, and glad the neighbor's do too!

The Twiners are 1

Yesterday Kessler and Kolby turned one. I really can't believe it happened and we made it. I love these boys to pieces and have really enjoyed watching there own personalities develop. They make us all laugh on a daily basis. It is still a circus at our house but a much more enjoyable and manageable circus then last year. I am so glad I get to experience the special bond these two brothers have with one another! Life is brighter!

10 months

   Some days it feels as if life is flying past other days it seems like 7pm does not come soon enough. It is crazy that the twins are now 10 1/2 months old. I feel bad  that I have not documented the babies like I wanted and had good intentions to do. They keep me very busy. We are finally feeling some control and order at home. It helps that Ryker and Conner started school, so we now have a good schedule and the babies are learning to go out in public for 30 minutes or so.
I have appreciated help from neighbors, friends and Brad but feel empowered when I can do it myself.
   Kolby is a quick little learner. He has mastered the "more" sign for more food or whatever. He sat up 1st, crawled 1st, climbed the stairs 1st. he is standing, but gets nervous and sits down. I do think it is because he is smaller than Kessler so it was easier to support his weight and move better. He also gives the best kisses when he is in the mood. He has the best gut laugh and loves to crawl over the top of Kessler and  play with him. He lights up when he sees him.
   Kessler is a chunk, he has the softest skin ever and sucks his thumb all day. He is a sweet little guy. Kessler has always been the better sleeper and more content one from day 1. Oddly enough he was the 1st to stand on his own and has taken a few steps. I think he may walk before Kolby. Kessler trusts you completely, he will just fall over if your by him and expect you to catch him. He scrunches his little nose and makes the funniest noises at you, it is so cute. If you ask Kessler if he wants more and he is full he always shakes his head "no." In fact when I tell Kolby no-no Kessler shakes his head at him.
   They love being in there room alone just talking and laughing at each other. I usually leave them in there crib for 15-30 minutes after they wake up because they are having fun. Just this last week they have been really playing with each other. They love to play in the curtains and make each other laugh. It is very fun to watch. The older kids have nick names for them, Kolby's is Kolbster and Kessler's is Kess-man. They are becoming more and more fun everyday as well as making more and more messes every day. I wonder on a daily basis how Heavenly Father thought I could do this, but I'm doing it!

Conner's Author Tea Party

   Brad, Brynlee, Taylee and I went to Conner's program yesterday. I am sad Kindergarten is over, he has loved everything about school. Yesterday he went in his "Sunday best" to school and read a portion of his journal to the audience. He did a great job! He has been so cute about this tea party. He made sure I knew we were not going to be drinking tea but just having refreshments, Brynlee was bummed. He also insisted on wearing the whole suit, I suggested maybe a nice button up shirt with nice pants, he would not be swayed. He did look so cute!
     Brad and I were smiling ear to ear watching him preform the songs, he is such a ham, always has been:)! Brynlee was so cute trying to get Conner's attention while he was speaking his part. He kept his concentration perfectly.
     Below is Conner and his teachers Mrs. Hazard and Mrs. Duffin. They have been the perfect teachers for Conner. At the beginning of the year when I went in for his 1st parent teacher conference I was anxious of what they would say about him. He is a busy boy, some even jokingly said he may be ADD, I knew he wasn't. His teacher told me that he was having trouble staying seated and was a little busy, I assured her it would get better, he just needs to find his boundaries and know the rules. By the next parent teacher conference she was singing his praises! Most everyone loves Conner who can take him for who he is, he is such a fun, smart, cute boy. I love him!!!!

1st trip to the pond

It was 80 degrees and beautiful today so for FHE we headed down to the pond. Brad met us down there on his motorcycle. Brynlee is in love with it and is always begging to have a ride. The twins had to have there 1st ride too. I am so glad we have a place to escape to for an hour or two. All the kids can't wait to go back.

A few fun things

I feel like there have been many fun things happening around here. I want to blog them all to remember. I know that is unrealistic so I will list a few favorites lately.

Ryker received his bobcat. Scouts is strange to me and I still have lots to learn. With 4 boys I will be a pro in the end. He also had his space wood derby that night. His is the rocket that is green, yellow and black. (the colors of john Deere)






Conner had a kindergarten circus. The teacher assigned the kids what they were going to be. I kept asking him if he knew what he was yet or what he was hoping to be. He said I don't care, as long as I'm not a clown. Of course he was assigned to be a clown. Good thing he is a good sport about almost everything. He was a FINE clown.


Brynlee loves make-up. Funny girl can put mascara on all by herself without getting it all over her eyes. What gorgeous lashes she has! My bathroom door is locked from now on.



Kessler and Kolby (there kinda lumped into one) As babies they do they same stuff mostly. I will say Kolby is more busy. Loves to roll all over the place and stand and bounce on your lap. Kessler can also roll over but is content not too. He is more relaxed and observes his crazy brother. Which results in more chub than Kolby. Both make lots of noises and have mastered grabbing toys and sucking on them. They both love the bath and splashing with there feet, usually they take one together. They love to eat baby food and be on the floor getting attention from everyone. They for the most part take good naps. It's funny how when one cries the other is not bothered, but sleeps through it. 6 months old and getting cuter every day.





Fun Easter egg hunt with cousins. Taylee came, it will be her last with us since they are moving in a little over a month ( I can't get in to that now or I will break into tears). Maci and Caylee also were in town and came over to see us so they got to join in the fun!





Tiffany and her kids drove from Las Vegas for spring break. The kids had so much fun. Quinten and Weiland spent the night. We also went to Idaho falls to the dinosaur museum. That was my 1st outing with all 5 kids. We did really good!








The boys dressed up in costumes, stole my phone and took some serious action shots. They also made a video of themselves.