Darn Ice

Sweet Jane was walking up our front walk after church and slipped on some ice.  Some how she had a little stitch worthy cut on her leg.  Thankfully, we have a super awesome neighbor! Dr. Wallin came to Jane's rescue.  This is Jane's second time getting stitches.  Both times she has been so brave.  Jane is not much of a complainer.  I am always so impressed if she is sick or hurt I don't hear much from her.  It makes me want to scoop her up and hold her.

Happy 9th Birthday Jane

What a sweet girl I have!!  Jane is such a joy in my life.  She is so quiet but has so much spunk at the same time.  I have so much fun with her.  One of my favorite things to with Jane is crank up some funny music and dance around singing along.  She is SUPER patient with her brothers.  Mostly Walt.  Tonight he turned off the movie while the kids were watching, the boys yelled at him but Jane said "guys, he is only two, then she calmly came to see if I could fix the T.V" When he threw dirty bedding from her snake tank all over her room today she nicely asked me if I would vacuum it up. Her patience helps me so much. More than she knows, I am sure.

Grandma and Grandpa Baird with Jane

Grandma and Grandpa Garner with Jane

Grandma and Grandpa McConkie with Jane

Jane wanted Chocolate cake with vanilla icing and vanilla ice cream.  Fun fact about Jane... She can eat a tremendous amount of vanilla ice cream.  I have never actually let her eat it until she was full of it but it has been A LOT! 

I can not believe my baby girl is 9 years old!  That is half way to 18.  I got married when I was 18!  AHHH  my life is flashing before my eyes.  I am trying my hardest to enjoy every single moment of this life I am living.  I LOVE you Jane.  Thank you for all your sweetness.  Happy Birthday.

Look Whoo's Having a Baby

We had a owl themed baby shower for my sister Kali this week end.  She is having a baby girl in April.  I love seeing her cute belly.  I can't wait to meet little Vivienne.  It was so much fun throwing her this shower.  I coulden't have done it on my own.  Mom, Tay and Erin helped me so much!  I am always so thankful for a family that is willing to help out when ever they are needed. I am sad we took this photo after Erin had to go.

Meredith, Kail, baby Oliver

Kail and the Petunia Pickle Bottom bag we got her.

Erin made super cute owls to go along with our owl theme. I loved having them to decorate with. She made them out of fabric that matched her nursery so she could have them after the shower.  Vivienne's  room is going to be so cute. Thank's Erin.

Taylor made the cutest little owl pop's as a thank you to our guests.  She went to three different stores to find candy necklaces for the eyes.  Thank's Tay,way to go!  The owl pop's were the perfect little thank you.

Owl banner

Ali, Tonya and Kali

Ashley and Karina

Bonnie and Austin

Grandma Baird, Laurie and Mom tying the quilt Mom made for baby Vivienne.

Happy Valentines Day

We have had a day full of thoughtfulness. I am so thankful for the awesome examples I have in my life. My sweet Mom always made me feel really special on Valentines by doing something thoughtful for me.  Now she still gives me a Valentine but she also sends the kids something in the mail.  Jane has saved away in her special box all the fun cards she has given her.  Tonight she watched the kids for us so Matt could cook me a fancy dinner.  The kids were really excited when they found out she had gotten them heart shaped pizza for dinner.  They made cup cakes and Valentine cards for Matt and I.

Matt's dinner was amazing.  I am so bummed I left my camera at Mom's house. The dinner was really beautiful and I could have eaten the pistachio pesto with a spoon it was so good.  Thanks Matt for working so hard, being so thoughtful and sharing your culinary talent with me!  Happy LOVE day!
First course
Bleu Cheese Crostini with a Balsamic Reduction
Second Course
Jicama Slaw with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Third Course
Carrot Apple GInger Soup
Fourth Course
Quail Stuffed with Pancetta, Butternut, and Leek Served with Pistachio Pesto
Fifth Course
Lemon Cupcakes(thanks to our neighbor Courtney who could see Matt running around the kitchen like a mad chef.  Thanks Courtney.)

Gratitude in my heart

I had a day today not to out of the ordinary for a mother of four young children....
-Tears and joyful/not so joyful moments over the piano and homework
-Flooded bathroom
-One child spitting on total strangers in the doctors office
-Several hours of eating therapy
-Triumphant moment when Walt tried corn for the first time
-Anger raging inside me when I found one child found a can of spray paint and decided to test it out on a few things in the basement. (thankfully no harm came to the child from the paint or myself)
-A sweet sincere apology for the paint incident
-The neighbors very large St. Bernard running through our house
-Almost chopping off my finger getting the pit out of an avocado (it's actually just a small cut, but I think I should be more careful)
-Kids found mud puddle
-Making Valentines Day box and Valentines with Jane
-Flooded bathroom again
-Over cooking fish for dinner while cleaning up water
-Dog letting large stinky toot in the middle of family prayer

After this whirlwind that is my life every day; tonight I find my self thanking my Father in Heaven for my sweet children Matt and my loved ones. But most of all for the feeling of gratitude in my heart.  I love that when things seem hard it doesn't go on forever.  I know tomorrow will most likely be fairly the same. Full of difficult moments and joyous ones. Thank heavens for the breaks.  The time's Matt, a friend or loved one is prompted to give me some time to myself or a feeling of gratitude is placed in my heart.

funny things said

Hyrum found a marker and was planning on coloring his whole body.  Thankfully, I found him only one hand into the job.

Hyrum... After watching Beauty and the Beast "Walt has a temper like the beast."

Hyrum... "that is hot a salsa"

Walt.... I saw him walking down the stair and I told him that was impressive. He said "yah, I'n a big kid now."

One of my favorite things that walt says all the time is  "a go Qwigies." I think Walt would live with the Quigley's if we would let him.  They watched the kids for us one night while Matt and I went to a Jazz game.  We got home around 10:30.  Walt was still awake.  When he saw Matt and I he started to cry and ran into Quigley's guest room and laid on the bed.  I feel so blessed that he knows he is loved, not only by us but the Quigley's.

Disneyland

Walt looked so big sitting in his plane seat.  He has a rice cake hanging out of his mouth.  All the kids did great on the plane.

The kids were all so excited to see the caricatures.  

Walt LOVED the tea cup ride.  THere was not much of a line friday morning so Matt and the other kids went to rid other rides.  Walt and I went on the tea cups three times in a row.  I had so much fun with him.  I was happy when Matt and the kids came back though. I am not sure how many more times I was up for the tea cups.

I love these happy faces.  Waiting so patiently in line.

Goofy.