Silly Boys

I know someday Noah will be really upset for posting these, but today he thinks they are funny.  This is what having three older sisters does to a little boy!  He just wants to play dress up, just like they do.  And don't worry, he is boy enough to do it.  He is so much boy that I don't mind that he is in touch with his girly side. 

This little one is so silly!  He is so FULL of energy and is curious about everything.  I would like to thank Justin for that.  We have a good time and he is so much fun to play cars, trucks, trains and toy story with.  He does not like to be dressed up in girl's clothes, his sisters have tried.

Cinco de Mayo!

We like to celebrate in our house, so we get together for just about every Holiday we can.  We also like to combine birthdays every month so we can party.  This month we had a cinco De Mayo, Grandma, Brett and Andrew birthday party.  My Grandma turned 80!!  We are so glad that she decided to come to Utah and be closer to us.  We love her so!

So, my mom has a problem, she always makes way too much food.  This party was no exception.  I think my sister and her made every recipe they could find on pinterest.  It was sooo good though!  We even had churros!

The grand kids got sombreros to help them celebrate.  Andrew thought his was a cowboy hat, and kept yelling "yee haw."  The other kids didn't really understand why they had to wear hats. 

What fiesta doesn't include a "peeyatah" as Joslyn says.  The kids took turns trying to get the candy out.  Uncle Alex did a great job making sure that didn't happen. 

I really love this pic, especially Alex in the background.

Senor Taylor Lynn

Joslyn and Great Grandma Dee

La familia, it really was so much fun, even though I worked the night before and hadn't slept at all.  Justin couldn't make it because he had to work. :(  

Sunday photo session

These are some pictures of the kids from a few weeks ago.  Justin likes to take pictures of them when they are all dressed up for church.  They looked so cute in their spring outfits.  Taylor looks so grown up and tall in these pictures, I don't know if I like that.  Andrew was taking a nap during this time, but I promise he looked cute that day too.

She is seriously so beautiful.  I can't believe that she has almost finished up 2nd grade.  She only has a week and a half left.  I got to help in her class today and I can't believe how much she has learned.  I got to help the kids with their animal reports and it was really fun.  The kids worked hard on them. 

I have to say that Noah has grown up a lot this year already.  It seems like he has calmed down and isn't getting into so much.  That might be because Andrew has taken his place as the family destroyer.  His favorite thing this week has been to watch "goosebumps" with his sisters.  If he gets too scared, he just hides his head under his blanket.  We are going to attempt to move Andy in his room soon.  I don't know how that will go.  Will any of us get any sleep?  I will keep you updated.

Ellie finishes kindergarten this week and she is so excited.  She also learned a ton this year and is reading so well.  She was so happy last week because she and Taylor lost a tooth on the same day!  Then her grandpa Doren sent her a dollar in the mail, she had $2 to spend at the dollar store, which is her favorite thing. 

Being goofy as usual. 

My sweet, independent, stubborn Joslyn.  This picture pretty much sums up her personality lately.  She is so sweet one minute and then if you ask her to do something she doesn't want to, watch out!  She is also excited to be finishing up preschool this week.  Kindergarten her she comes!! 

Almost all of the kiddos ready for church.  We try to be ready a little early so we can walk, but that hardly ever happens, no matter what time we start getting ready. 

Summer please

A few weeks ago it was so warm here, almost 90 degrees.  In fact there were a few days of very warm weather.  My kids were begging me to swim.  They think its warm enough if its over 60.  We decided to buy another plastic swimming pool to keep the kids entertained.  They LOVE it.  I love having a backyard where the kids can play and I can relax, a little. 

Now it is cold and rainy and I wish summer would come a little more quickly.  The sunshine makes me happy!  We renewed our passes to the water park and I can't wait for that to open.  The kids are also going to take swimming lessons in about a month, then Justin and I have our little vacation planned, and then we get to celebrate Taylor's baptism.  And then, we get to meet our new little one.  So, the summer for us is going to be exciting.  For now I am going to enjoy the days of spring weather, before it gets too hot. 

Not so little

My little one is not so little anymore.  I can't believe that he will be 2 in a month!  Time has gone by so quickly.  He is so much fun and keeps us all laughing.  He is just starting to talk.  Before, pointing and grunting was working pretty good for him.  And being the youngest he didn't really need to ask for much anyway, he is kind of spoiled.  He is really into Toy Story right now and LOVES to play little people.  He also likes singing and reading books.  These first two pictures are from our trip back home from Fallon.  He was living it up with his own bag of Cheetos and watching Toy Story.  All the other kids were asleep, but him. 

Andrew also LOVES being outside.  The weather has been so nice lately and we have been in the backyard a lot.  If we aren't outside, he is looking out the window and asking when we can go out again.

His big sisters love him so much!  Taylor always helps me take care of him.  Noah loves him too, but he shows his love by wrestling him and taking his toys away.

We love you grandma Ellie!

The day after Easter, Justin's mom passed away after fighting cancer for 5 years.  She put up a good fight, but her heart couldn't handle it anymore.  She thankfully went peacefully and quickly.  Even though we knew this day would come, it was still hard.  We know that she is no longer in pain, and that she doesn't have to stay trapped in her sick body anymore.  We are so blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives and to know that death isn't the end, just the next step in our journey.  We believe families can be together forever and we know that Ellen is in a better place.  Even though we know these things, we will still miss her!  She was a loving mother and grandmother.   We traveled to Fallon to celebrate her life and be with family and friends.  Her funeral service was beautiful.  She was blessed to have a very musical and talented family.  My favorite part was when all of her grand kids sang her favorite primary song.  Justin dedicated her grave and did a beautiful job.  The picture above is of Justin and the bishop.

The boys left flowers on her casket.

These are all of her 17 grandkids.  We are expecting the 18th. (that is why they asked me to be in the picture)

Our little family.  The kids were tired and hot and not in the mood to take pictures.

The family with Grandpa Doren